Luxembourg · The national anthem

Ons Heemecht” (“Our Homeland”) emerged in the 19th century, when a distinct national identity began to develop in Luxembourg. Following the territorial reorganisation of 1839 and the Constitution of 1848, language, culture and state independence increasingly became points of reference for national identity.

The Luxembourgish poet Michel Lentz wrote the lyrics in 1859. The melody was composed by the musician Jean-Antoine Zinnen. The song was first performed publicly in 1864 at a musical event in Ettelbrück. The lyrics are written in Luxembourgish and describe the country through its landscape, rivers and vineyards. At the same time, they contain a plea for protection, freedom and unity. The first and last stanzas are used as the national anthem.

The legal designation of the anthem took place in 1993 as part of the Luxembourgish regulations on national symbols. The 2013 coin issue therefore coincided with the twentieth anniversary of this statutory provision. This explains the timing of the tribute, even though the song itself is considerably older.

“Ons Heemecht” should be distinguished from “De Wilhelmus”. This piece serves as the grand ducal anthem and is played in particular on occasions concerning the monarch or the grand ducal family. “Ons Heemecht”, by contrast, represents the state and the population of Luxembourg.

Grand Duke Henri has been head of state since 2000. Luxembourg is a constitutional monarchy; political decisions are taken by the government and parliament within the framework of the Constitution. The combination of his portrait with a state symbol corresponds to Luxembourg’s coin tradition: the reigning Grand Duke regularly appears on the national sides of the euro coins. This issue thus brings together the monarch as head of state and the national anthem as two distinct elements of state representation.