State awards for culture: Luxembourg honours artists, personalities and volunteers

In honour of Luxembourg's bank holidays, on 17 June 2025, the National Museum of Archaeology, History and Art hosted a ceremony at the National Museum of Archaeology, History and Art to present honourable mentions to representatives of the cultural sector. The Minister of Culture, Eric Thill, presented 56 medals to those who, in his words, "move the country's cultural life forward with their passion and perseverance".

Among the awardees, 38 people were honoured with the Order of the Oak Crown, one of Luxembourg's highest civil orders, and 18 with the Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. These are artists, employees of cultural institutions, volunteers and activists, without whose energy the country's cultural field could not have reached its current level.

In his speech, the Minister said that culture is not only a stage and a museum, but also the "binding fabric" of society. According to a recent survey, 82 per cent of people in the Grand Duchy consider culture an important part of their daily lives, which, according to the Minister, confirms the need for greater support for cultural initiatives.

It was also announced that the main theme of the upcoming Cultural Hearings (Assises culturelles), which will take place on 25 June at CAPE (Ettelbruck), will be "access to culture". It will not only be about physical accessibility, but also about inclusivity and an even distribution of cultural offerings across the country. The Minister emphasised that these discussions cannot take place without the participation of "people on the ground" - the cultural actors themselves.

"Your perseverance, your belief in the power of art and culture shape the soul of Luxembourg. Without you, there would be no stage, no museums, no community life, no creativity that unites", concluded Eric Till, thanking the laureates for their "unwavering dedication".