Luxembourg Heritage News

News Archives - 2006

News Archives - 2007

March

Luxembourg American Cultural Society Held Event in Florida

             The Luxembourg American Cultural Society held it’s first-ever, cultural event in Florida on Saturday, March 8, 2008. The event was called Florida

Luxembourg Day and it attracted about 50 attendees for an afternoon celebration of Luxembourg and Luxembourg heritage in Estero, Florida near Naples.

Members of the Thein Family of Minnesota Enjoyed the first Florida Luxembourg Day

            LACS Director of Development, Kevin Wester, coordinated the event with Honorary Consul General of Luxembourg at Chicago Don Hansen and wife Gerda serving as host and hostess.  While the Hansen reside in Wheeling, Illinois (suburban Chicago), they also have a beautiful home in Estero that they enjoy over the winter months.  The Florida Luxembourg Day celebration was held at the club house in the Hansen’s community. 

        As part of the celebration, Gerda prepared an incredible spread of food including Luxembourg sausage, Luxembourg Waffle Cookies (lovingly baked by Gerda, Kevin and Don), and Luxembourg wine.  Guests came from throughout Florida to connect with one another and to celebrate their love for Luxembourg.  Interestingly, about half of the guests were born in Luxembourg and are immigrants to the US or Luxembourgers who winter in Florida.

      Honorary Consul General gave a warm welcome to the guests and everyone

Guests Margrit Petit and Anne Thibo Introduced Themselves.  Both Women were Born in Luxembourg and Now Reside in Florida.

attending came forward to introduce themselves.  Following their introduction, each attendee placed a small pin on a map of Luxembourg to highlight their place origin, or their ancestor’s origin, in the Grand Duchy.  Those attending represented the following communities in Luxembourg:  Binsfeld, Grosbous, Heiderscheid, Niederfeulen, Schieren, Beckerich, Schweich, Koerich, Bertrange, Luxembourg City Esch-sur-Alzette, Senningerberg, Dudelange, Bech-Kleinmacher and Beaufort.

            Kevin Wester then gave an overview of the Luxembourg American Cultural Society and Center and invited everyone’s participation in the LACS.  The afternoon continued with food, drink and lots of visiting and sharing of personal stories.  The “Luxembourg bond” was so evident among everyone who attended.  The LACS plans to celebrate Florida Luxembourg Day annually in Florida each winter.  If you, or someone you know who is of Luxembourg ancestry, did not receive an invitation to the event, please contact Kevin Wester at the LACS so that they can be added to next year’s guest list – 262-355-5758 or kwester@luxamculturalsociety.org.

            The LACS thanks everyone who attended this first annual Florida Luxembourg Day.  Special thanks to Don and Gerda Hansen for their kind hospitality in hosting the event.

The Premiere of Léif Lëtzebuerger, at the Duchy's prestigious Utopolis cinema.

Luxembourg's Royal Family led a star-studded guestlist for Friday's  premiere of Léif Lëtzebuerger, at the Duchy's prestigious Utopolis cinema. Pictured L. to R. Grand-Duke Jean, Grand-Duke Henri and Grand-Duchess Maria Teresa.

From www.agraceproductions.com

Luxembourg's Royal Family led a star-studded guestlist for Friday's premiere of Léif Lëtzebuerger, at the Duchy's prestigious Utopolis cinema.

     Grand-Duke Henri and Grand-Duchess Maria Teresa were among 400 invited guests for the screening of Léif Lëtzebuerger, GRACE's feature-length history documentary on the wartime propaganda BBC radio broadcasts of Grand Duchess Charlotte, produced in association with

le Centre national de l'audiovisuel (CNA).               Recorded in London and the US, Charlotte's broadcasts became a vital life-line for her persecuted people, living in Nazi-occupied Luxembourg. The film is due to go on nationwide cinema release from 21 March.

February

University of Luxembourg Signs Partnership With Universities at Liege & Namur

From www.news.station.lu

21-FEB-08

    Yesterday, the University of Luxembourg signed a partnership with the l’Université de Liège (ULG) and the Facultés Universitaires Notre-Dame de la Paix (FUNDP) in Namur.
    The accord was signed at the Limpertsberg campus of the University of Luxembourg in the presence of Bernard Caprasse, Governor of the Province de Luxembourg, Belgium. This parternship will allow the exchange of undergraduate students between the three seats of learning. Agreements for specific courses can now be signed by the faculties concerned.
    Rolf Tarrach, rector of the University of Luxembourg, Bernard Rentier, president of the University of Liege, and Michael Scheuer, rector of FUNDP in Namur, were all present for the signing.
    Mr Tarrach said "the promotion of mobility is a major goal of our institution".

Archaeological Remains anticipated in City-Centre Dig in Luxembourg City
     The recently commenced roadwork on the Rue Notre Dame beside the Place Guillaume and the Grand Ducal Palace in Luxembourg City centre are expected to reveal archaelogical remains.
     The roadwork is necessary to lay new drainage pipes and will move on to the Rue de l'Eau and the Rue du Marché aux Herbes.
     Archaelogical remains dating from the 12th and 13th centuries are expected to be discovered, along with the external city wall that appears on a map drawn up in the sixteenth century and which is understood to lie next to the National Museum of History and Art.

Burgbrennen Attracts Crowds Across Luxembourg

     Winter in now officially over in Luxembourg with Spring being welcomed in yesterday's Burgbrennen festival. Another variation on the centuries-old tradition is that farmers are asking God's blessing for a good harvest.
     Most villages throughout Luxembourg held their own burning of the traditional cross made of straw and branches. Yet the largest celebration was held in the Petrusse valley in Luxembourg City.
     Hot food was enjoyed by all and local fire brigades, music clubs and youth clubs were involved in the organization of this year's events.
     The weather for this year's festival was clear skies and dry, a far change from the wet and muddy conditions of recent years

Luxembourg - American Community of La Crosse, Wisconsin Welcomes Archbishop Fernand Franck - A Connection Renewed

By:  Larry Kirch, La Crosse, Wisconsin

              During the early summer of 2007, Kevin Wester, the Director of Development for the Luxembourg American Cultural Society, placed an ad in the La Crosse Tribune inquiring about anyone having family roots in Luxembourg.  He also posted a notice in the Holy Trinity Church bulletin asking if anyone had any information about the HOTEL LUXEMBURG,  a hotel in La Crosse in the early 1900s, owned by Nic Birnbaum.

L-R.  Bishop Listecki of La Crosse, Wisconsin and Archbishop Franck of Luxembourg

              Kevin checked the phone book and called Attorney Jim Birnbaum to find out

if he might know anything about the hotel.  Jim told Kevin that Nic was his reat-great grandfather and that he was looking at pictures on his office wall as they spoke.  Kevin came to La Crosse the same day to see the pictures and obtain information about Luxembourgers in the La Crosse area.  Sandy Hammes (Jim’s cousin) also called Kevin and told him that Nic Birnbaum was her Great-great grandfather.

              Kevin told Jim and Sandy that the Archbishop of  Luxembourg, the Most Reverend Fernand Franck, was travelling to Belgium, Wisconsin in August for the cornerstone ceremony at the new Luxembourg American Cultural Center and asked if we would like to have the Archbishop come to La Crosse to celebrate Mass.  Kevin mentioned that in 1901, La Crosse Diocesan Bishop James Schwebach, a native of Luxembourg, invited his friend, the Right Reverend Bishop John Joseph Koppes of Luxembourg to celebrate Mass at Holy Trinity Church.

              A committee consisting of Sandy Hammes, Jim Birnbaum, Sue Olson, Linda Bechly, Dave Bissen, Clair Bissen, John Medinger and Larry Kirch  hosted a Mass and reception at Holy Trinity on August 13, 2007.  Archbishop Franck was joined by La Crosse Diocesan Bishop Jerome  E. Listecki and Holy Trinity Pastor Father Larry Berger and Fr. Jean Ehret of the Archdiocese of Luxembourg and Sacred Heart University of Fairfield, Connecticut.  It was a wonderful celebration of the community’s Luxembourg ties and the pastoral visit in 1901 by Bishop Koppes.

              At the reception following the Mass, Jim Birnbaum was the Master of Ceremonies and speakers included Lloyd Croatt, President of the Luxembourg American Cultural Society, Fr. Berger, John Medinger, former Mayor of La Crosse, Archbishop Franck, and Bishop Listecki.  Marie-Pierre Schambourg-Fletcher of Luxembourg was the guest vocalist and Marie-Pierre also sang at the Mass.

              Kevin Wester could not make the event but returned in October to give a presenation on Luxembourg and the Luxembourg American Cultural Society.  The La Crosse Luxembourg - American committee has since grown and is considering creating a formal organization to further celebrate the La Crosse community’s Luxembourg heritage.  If you have ties to the La Crosse area, then contact Sandy Hammes at sandyhammes@charter.net

Grand Duke Henri Conferred Into Order of Malta 

              According to the Wort, Grand Duke Henri is to be conferred tomorrow into the Order of Malta in Rome.
              The honor will be conferred by Andrew Bertie, the Grand Master of the Order of Malta, and the Grand Chancellor, Jean-Pierre Mazery.
              The awarding of the Order of Malta (more accurately, Knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem) dates back to the time of the Crusades. There are understood to be around 12,500 members. The Order of Malta is present in 120 countries worldwide

Remich celebrates Stréifrächen

              Yesterday, Ash Wednesday, Remich witnessed Stréifrächen. As this is a leap year, the traditional Stréimännchen is replaced by its female counterpart.
              Hundreds of spectators came to watch the "funeral procession" which was led by the local band and included a straw character dressed as a female decked out in a skirt, hat, white gloves and a handbag. The funeral procession made its way around the streets of Remich, along the esplanade and onto the bridge. The straw figure was then set afire before crumbling and falling into the Moselle River. The remains floated downstream toward Stadtbredimus.
              This particular folk tradition has evolved from the middles ages

FRANCESCO TRISTANO SCHLIMÉ presents a recital in Carnegie Hall’s

Distinctive Debuts Series.

     FRANCESCO TRISTANO SCHLIMÉ (Friday) Born in Luxembourg, Mr. Schlimé won the 2004 International Piano Competition in Orléans, France. Also a composer and conductor, who founded the chamber orchestra New Bach Players in 2001, he presents a recital in Carnegie Hall’s Distinctive Debuts series, offering a most adventurous program, with works ranging from Frescobaldi and Bach to Berio and Carl Craig, as well as his own improvisations. At 7:30 p.m., Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, (212) 247-7800, carnegiehall.org; $30.

Francesco "Chicho" Schlimé

      Francesco Tristano Schlimé was the winner of the 2004 International Piano Competition in Orléans, France, and was recently selected by the Philharmonie in Luxembourg to take part in the Rising Stars network of European concerts.
              Mr. Schlimé has participated in numerous festivals and has performed as soloist throughout Europe, Asia, and South America. He made his US debut as a soloist in 2000 with Mikhail Pletnev and the Russian National Orchestra and has since performed with the Luxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre National de Lille, Orchstre symphonique d’Orléans, Chamber Orchestra of Wroclaw, Orchestre Royal de chambre de Wallonie, and the New Juilliard Ensemble under the batons of Claus-Peter Flor, Emmanuel Krivine, Pierre-Michel Durand, Jean-Marc Cochereau, Georges Octors, Janos Fürst, and Joel Sachs.
              In 2001 Mr. Schlimé founded the chamber orchestra New Bach Players, with which he performs as both soloist and conductor. In 2004 he presented and conducted, at the Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg and the Beaux-Arts in Brussels, an original transcription/adaptation for piano and strings of Antonio Vivaldi’s Four Seasons.
              Mr. Schlimé has been composing and improvising since childhood; his works E pur si muove and Sonnet for Viola and Cello are examples of early compositions in the Classical style. Also inspired by contemporary genres, he has written jazz works for solo piano and jazz ensembles. He also explores his interest in improvisation with pianist Rami Khalifé (with whom he integrates the band Aufgang) or with soloists of the Russian National Orchestra
              Mr. Schlimé has recorded the “Goldberg” Variations and the complete cycle of Bach’s keyboard concertos with the New Bach Players in Warsaw,a recording of which is available from CD Accord. His recording of Luciano Berio’s complete piano works was released in France in 2005 on the Sisyphe/Abeille Musique label. In 2006, he made his debut recording on PentaTone Classics, performing Ravel’s Concerto in G and Prokofiev’s Concerto No. 5 with Mikhail Pletnev and the Russian National Orchestra. In 2007 two more CDs, featuring Frescobaldi’s first book of toccatas and Bach’s French suites, will be released by Sisyphe/Abeille Musique.
              Born in 1981 in Luxembourg, Mr. Schlimé attended conservatories there and in Brussels, Riga, and Paris before entering The Juilliard School, where he earned Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees. He has studied with Béatrice Rauchs, Emile Naoumoff, Jean-Claude Vanden Eynden, Jerome Lowenthal, Jacob Lateiner, Rosalyn Tureck, Bruce Brubaker, and Mikhail Pletnev.

Classical Music/Opera Listings, By THE NEW YORK TIMES Published: February 1, 2008

Internet Site: http://www.francescoschlime.com/

From: Carnegie Hall site: http://www.carnegiehall.org/article/box_office/events/evt_10028_ma.html?selecteddate=02012008

Spring in Luxembourg Welcomed by Traditions

     Saturday morning will see local children up early, going from door to door singing. The ritual stems from pagan tradition and encourages householders to give them sweets.
     The following Sunday sees the Burgbrennan where all communes burn straw bales and straw crosses to say goodbye to winter and welcome in the spring. Many communes also have gluwein and hot-dog stands for the hardy souls who brave the elements.

January

Long Awaited Highway Tunnel Opens in Luxembourg: Gousselerbierg tunnel opening today
The opening of the 2,695-metre Gousselerbierg tunnel later today by Grand Duke Henri will see the northern highway in Luxembourg extended by 4 kilometres.
      The 4-lane road links Mersch and Lintgen and is hoped to ease congestion of road traffic to and from Lorentzweiler and Walferdange. The extension involves a 890-metre bridge over the Alzette river.
      Approval for the ambitious civil engineering project was given by the government back in 1995 and work started on the tunnel project in April 2000, and on the bridge in September 2001, with original plans to open both in mid-2004. Work was delayed after 150-metre cracks were found in the tunnel in 2003. Repairs cost around 1 million euros to the 145 million euros project.

New Findel Airport In Luxembourg To Open In April

The new Findel Airport in Luxembourg City is scheduled to be inaugurated on April 25, 2008.  The new airport will replace the much smaller, old Findel airport and will expand its operation to serve three million people per year.  The new airport is in keeping pace with Luxembourg's ever expanding business atmosphere and tourism industry.