For the 6,625-strong Romanian community living in Luxembourg, 1 December – or National Day – is an important celebration with business and cultural events taking place on or around that date.
“National Day is a fundamental milestone within the country and for those that are abroad,” says Romanian Ambassador to Luxembourg, Alexandrina-Livia Rusu. The day, says Rusu, commemorates the Great Union of 1 December 1918 and the right of Romanian people to self-determination. It united the provinces of Bessarabia, Bukovina, and parts of Banat, Crişana and Maramureș, with the Kingdom of Romania, into modern Romania.
“All Romanians see it as a day of reflection and to celebrate national identity – we are very proud of being Romanian,” says Rusu, adding that there is normally a military parade under the triumphal arch in Bucharest, which also commemorates the country’s participation in the First World War, followed by performances of traditional music and dance, and a culinary celebration.
