HRH the Grand Duke, Xavier Bettel and Yuriko Backes in Japan to mark Luxembourg Day at Expo 2025 Osaka

Throughout Expo 2025 Osaka, each participating country will be honoured on its national day, marked by institutional and cultural events. Luxembourg Day began with the signing of the Expo Golden Book by HRH the Grand Duke, followed by a traditional tea ceremony attended by Deputy Prime Minister Bettel and Minister Backes. The official ceremony, which took place in the national festivities hall, included the raising of the flags, the playing of the national anthems and a speech by HRH the Grand Duke. The afternoon was marked by an official visit to the Luxembourg pavilion, in the presence of the Expo General Commissioner, Koji Haneda, and the Japanese Ambassador to Luxembourg, H.E. Tadahiro Matsubara, followed by a tour of the Japanese pavilion.

The Luxembourg pavilion was designed by STDM, a Luxembourg architectural firm, in accordance with the principles of circularity. "Designed for disassembly", it guarantees that its construction materials will be reused after dismantling at the end of the Expo. The pavilion's scenography, centred around the concept of "Doki Doki - The Luxembourg Heartbeat", offers visitors an immersive and emotional experience. It connects them to Luxembourg through four distinct acts: a first act showcasing the diversity of Luxembourg's people, a second act illustrating the country's spirit of innovation, a third act allowing them to discover Luxembourg's landscapes through an immersive projection, and finally a convivial gastronomic area, the "Häffchen", to encourage exchanges and conviviality. This will be the Grand Duchy's 25th participation in a World Expo.

Speaking on the occasion of Luxembourg Day, Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said: "It is a real honour to be in Osaka to celebrate Luxembourg Day at Expo, alongside His Royal Highness the Grand Duke and Minister Backes. Our two countries are united by deep ties of friendship, and in 2027 we will be celebrating a century of bilateral relations. Expo 2025 is a major global event, bringing together more than 150 countries, and we are proud that our pavilion has been ranked among the top three, according to a survey by the Japanese media outlet Nikkei MJ. This pavilion perfectly illustrates Luxembourg's diversity: our culinary specialities, showcased by the Ecole d'hôtellerie et de tourisme du Luxembourg (EHTL), our spirit of innovation, and our reliability and openness as an international partner. In a world where it is more essential than ever to bring peoples and nations closer together, and to forge relationships of trust, our presence in Osaka bears witness to our shared commitment to strengthening international cooperation."

Minister Backes said: "The Luxembourg pavilion at Expo Osaka 2025 is much more than a showcase: it is a concrete demonstration of our commitment to sustainable innovation and the circular economy. Through this visionary architecture and immersive scenography, we are affirming Luxembourg's place as a player open to the world, looking to the future and resolutely committed to the values of sustainable development. I would also like to thank the Administration des bâtiments publics for the construction of the pavilion."

Alongside the official celebrations, the ministers met many Japanese companies and investors present on site. In this context, the Chamber of Commerce, a key partner of the Economic Interest Grouping (EIG) Luxembourg @ Expo 2025 Osaka, led a large-scale multi-sector economic mission to Osaka, underlining Luxembourg's desire to strengthen its economic relations with Japan and other international partners. Two other economic missions, in the space, new technologies and health sectors, will be organised in July.

At the end of the day, an "Open House" reception was organised for members of the Luxembourg community present in Osaka. The day ended with the "Echoes of Tomorrow" concert, featuring internationally renowned Luxembourg artists Francesco Tristano, Pascal Schumacher and Jill Crovisier, in collaboration with Maika Fujii.

On the eve of Luxembourg Day, an official reception was held in the presence of HRH the Grand Duke, attended by economic and institutional representatives and all the staff of the Luxembourg pavilion, with speeches highlighting the cooperation between Luxembourg and Japan.

Press release by the Ministry of Mobility and Public Works / Directorate of Defence / Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade