Liechtenstein National Day

Liechtenstein National Day (German: Staatsfeiertag Liechtenstein) is public holiday held annually on August 15 that jointly celebrates the Assumption of Mary and Liechtenstein's continued independence and values as a country. It was originally created to also celebrate the birthday of Franz Joseph II the following day.

The day typically involves a ceremony held outside Vaduz Castle with speeches by the prince and the President of the Landtag of Liechtenstein.[1] Afterwards, a folk festival is hosted in Vaduz by a chosen municipality, and then in the evening torches are carried through the Fürstensteig, bonfires are lit, and then a ceremonial firework show is held in Vaduz.[1]

History

The holiday was conceived in 1940 as a means of reinforcing the Liechtenstein's loyalty to the prince and the country's continued independence during World War II.[2] It was also designed to defy the German National Movement in Liechtenstein (VDBL), who sought the annexation of Liechtenstein into Nazi Germany.[3] The first celebration was held on 15 August 1940, during which the VDBL caused provocation by burning a swastika in Triesen and later in Planken.[3] The VDBL ignored the holiday and instead celebrated the birthday of Adolf Hitler on April 20.[3]

The following year in 1941, the fireworks were held for the first time.[2] The process of carrying torches through the Fürstensteig and lighting the bonfires originate from 1943.[2] The holiday continued following the war, and since 1963 the annual folk festival has been held in Vaduz.[2] Since 2022, after the event was cancelled for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the folk festival is now hosted by a chosen municipality but still in Vaduz.[4]

Following the death of Franz Joseph II in 1989, under the recommendation of Hans-Adam II, the Landtag of Liechtenstein voted to keep the holiday.[3] Today, the holiday is not as strong towards personal loyalty to the prince but places a heavier focus on the value's of Liechtenstein as a country.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b Steiger, Melanie (15 August 2021). "Liechtenstein in Feierlaune". Liewo Sonntagszeitung (in German). Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e Büchel, Donat; Frommelt, Fabian (14 January 2022). "Staatsfeiertag". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d Peter, Geiger (7 August 2015). "«Mier heben zemma» – Liechtenstein feiert zum 75. Mal sein Fürstenfest". Liewo Sonntagszeitung (in German). Retrieved 24 August 2025.
  4. ^ "Staatsfeiertag: alles «zurück ins Städtle»". Liechtensteiner Vaterland (in German). 1 June 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
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