National Day in Liechtenstein

Photo: Daniel Schwendener / Vaterland / vaterland.li

It's that time of the year again! While the rest of the (Catholic) world is celebrating the Feast of Assumption of the Virgin Mary today, the Principality of Liechtenstein is having its national day. First taking place in 1940, August 15 was actually chosen as national day for that exact reason: The day already was a public holiday in the Principality and it thus meant that no day of productivity was lost. (Plus, the late Prince Franz Josef's birthday was on August 16 but I just love the thriftiness of Liechtenstein's government, "No, you really don't need another day off, dear citizens.")

As always, pictures of the day are slightly hard to come by but we will do our best (with further updates to come). Thus far, we could spy Prince Hans-Adam II, Princess Marie, Hereditary Prince Alois, Hereditary Princess Sophie,  Princess Marie-Caroline, and Prince Nikolaus (Hans-Adam's brother) all in attendance. Other family members might also have been present, so we'll update as soon as we know more. Traditionally, the first part of the celebration, the state ceremony, was held on the castle meadow next to Schloss Vaduz. During the course of the act of state, both the president of the parliament as well as the Hereditary Prince, who is his father's regent, held speeches. This year, Hereditary Prince Alois focused his speech on the matters of an evolving population that reflects migration, as well as the realities of an increasingly digital world. For more about the speech, see here.

After the end of the state ceremony, the Princely Family made their way into the rose garden of Schloss Vaduz, where the traditional reception took place. This year, however, it was the first time that access to the garden was limited. Tickets were supplied in advance with the reason being that the reception had been so crowded during recent years that regular Liechtensteiners hardly had a chance to speak to their Fürst and his family due to many foreigners also trying to meet the royals.

Some photos from Vaterland here and here. UPDATE: Photos from Volksblatt here.