On 22 September 2024, marking the 80th anniversary of the Grand-Duchy's initial liberation, the official launch of the new Liberation Route Luxembourg hiking trails took place in the city of Ettelbruck. Ettelbruck, often referred to as "Patton town," has long commemorated General Patton and his Third US Army through significant memorials.
Mr. Stefano DOMINIONI, Executive Secretary of the Enlarged Partial Agreement and Director of the European Institute of the Cultural Routes, took part in the launch event, attended by numerous distinguished guests. Mr. Eric THILL, Luxembourg’s Minister Delegate for Tourism and Minister of Culture, had the privilege of unveiling the latest Vector of Memory from Liberation Route Europe.
The vectors, crafted by the renowned American architect Daniel Libeskind, serve as trail markers, emphasizing key locations, notable figures, and significant narratives along the transnational Liberation Route Europe. The vector in Ettelbruck narrates the account of the dual liberations of the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg. The initial liberation occurred following the arrival of Allied forces in Normandy on June 6, 1944, which resulted in the retreat of German troops towards the east. The Ardennes Offensive, initiated by Hitler on 16 December 1944 as a final effort to secure victory in the war, had a profound impact on northern Luxembourg. Due to General Patton's rapid counteroffensive, Ettelbruck was successfully liberated for the second time on 25 December 1944.
The new national trail of Liberation Route Europe, measuring 280 kilometers traverses the entirety of Luxembourg, along with several smaller connecting routes. Approximately 70 points of interest have been designated along the trail. A notable feature of the trail is the newly introduced themed route titled “The Second World War in the city of Luxembourg”, which encompasses important memorial sites within the capital. This network of trails delves into the country’s wartime history, beginning with the German invasion in 1940, and includes narratives of resistance, forced conscription and liberation.
This inauguration of the new Luxembourg trails occurred over a weekend of celebrations with various commemorative ceremonies throughout the city. Family members of U.S. General George S. Patton participated in the ceremonies and placed flowers at the newly unveiled statue of Patton. The weekend concluded with a military parade featuring soldiers from multiple nations, a showcase of historical World War II vehicles, and a concert by the Grand-Ducal and Municipal Philharmonic Orchestra of Ettelbruck.
