At the center was the first National Day in honor of the new Grand Duke as well as the successful generational change. Many Luxembourgers had experienced the transition as an expression of what makes the country what it is: “the connection of renewal and continuity, of a focus on the future and institutional stability.” The close relations between Luxembourg and Germany in politics, economy, science, and culture were highlighted. Ambassador Lucas particularly emphasized European freedom of movement, cross-border cooperation, and shared values such as democracy, peace, freedom, and human rights. She then handed over the floor to Dr. Christoph Israng, who, after several years at the Bertelsmann Foundation, has returned to the Federal Foreign Office as the new head of the Europe Department. She also recalled that there are close ties between the two countries through Bertelsmann and the media company RTL. Dr. Israng praised Luxembourg as a successful, democratic, and livable country. Both countries are united by the same values and “responsibility in challenging times.”