Day 2 – Opening ceremony

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While most across the continent were in bed asleep, the delegates across the city were experiencing a rather early wake-up for a Sunday morning. We made our way in dribs and drabs to Luxembourg’s Concert Hall, before making our way inside the grand hall itself. There we sat with bated breath, awaiting the beginning of the ceremony itself.

After a while, the grand ceremony began with a blast with a beautiful rendition of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, the anthem of Europe. We were introduced to our presidents who, by extension, introduced us to our guest speakers, the roster of which included Carole Chaine, headmistress of the Lycée Aline Mayrisch Luxembourg, Monica Semedo and Christophe Hansen, Members of the European Parliament, Claude Meisch, the Luxembourgish Minister of Education and Nicolas Schmit, the European Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights. It was between two of these speeches that we were treated to an incredible interpretive dance performed by Aline Swings.

After these speeches the presidents introduced each delegation, and we were treated with a speech from all the heads of delegations. Following these speeches, we were given a jaw dropping cello and piano performance by Matis Griso and Colin Toniello. After this, WEMEP President 2020, Oscar Ramsden gave a final speech to open the WMEP 2020 officially, including a comically large hammer as well as a convoluted Simpsons quote with even more props.

Following the ceremony, we were treated to refreshments of sandwiches and drinks, before a lovely lunch in the Lycée itself, after which committee work finally began after long last.