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Luxembourg Heritage News
August 2009
Schueberfouer Begins Today in Luxembourg
Today marks the opening of the 669th year of the Schueberfouer. Organizers of the Schueberfouer have planned a huge fireworks display in the area of the fair. For three weeks until 9th September, the Schueberfouer will delight visitors with fairground amusement rides, other attractions, and great food --- including the famous Luxembourgish “gromperekicchelcher” (potato cakes)!
From Sundays to Thursdays, the Schueberfouer will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m and Fridays and Saturdays opening time is until 2 a.m.
This year 121 attractions are available at the Glacis, with five new rides including a catapult style ride that is bound to get the adrenalin flowing, a “happy sailor” fast water boat ride, and trampolines for kids.
This year, for improved security, the Luxembourg police will also be supported by their colleagues from over the borders.
June 2009
| 21-JUN-09 |
The Grand Duke and Luxembourg
Prepare for National Holiday Celebrations |
The national holiday itself and the days leading up to it are always packed with concerts, gatherings and a range of other events, making it the busiest and most exciting part of the Luxembourgish calendar. And with so much happening, it’s easy to forget in whose honour we are celebrating. It is, of course, today’s Grand Ducal family. But just what are Luxembourg’s premier family doing themselves for the national celebrations?
On June 22 – that’s the day of the celebrations but a day prior to the actual national holiday – Grand Duke Henri and his wife, Maria Teresa, will be in the commune of Ell, which was named as this year’s commune to host the Grand Duke for this particular day. There, the royal couple will visit the local primary school, Um Fräschepillchen, and watch a play put on by the children in commemoration of the Ducal family.
Towards the end of the afternoon, the Grand Duke and Duchess will be joined on the Place de la Libération by Lucien Weiler, the President of the Chambre des Députes; Jean-Claude Junker, the Prime Minister; Marie-Josée Jacobs, the Minister of Family and Integration; and Joseph Thill, Mayor of Ell. The reception is open to the public.
Grand Duke Henri’s two eldest sons; Prince Guillaume, the Hereditary Grand Duke, and Prince Félix, will be overlooking preparations for the celebrations in Esch-sur-Alzette, where they will partake in the commemorative ceremony in front of the city’s town hall on the Place de la Résistance at 6pm. Princes Guillaume and Félix will then take to the Hotel de Ville for a reception and, at 7.15pm, will greet the locals from the hotel balcony before joining in with the festivities at the Escher Volleksfest where they will light the traditional scout fire.
In Luxembourg City, celebrations begin at 10pm on the Place Guillaume II. The Grand Duke, Grand Duchess and their children will be watching proceedings unfold in front of the town hall with Mayor Paul Helminger. Events include the military music parade and the traditional “retraite aux flambeaux”, a torch-lit procession involving around 5,000 members from the capital’s numerous cultural, artistic and sports associations which the Grand Duke will formally accept from his special booth.
The main attraction is, of course, the fireworks,which will be launched from the Pont Adolphe bridge at 11:30pm and this year’s accompanying music is directed by Romain Bernard.
So much for the celebrations leading up to 23rd; now how do proceedings on the actual Fete National itself. The Te Deum ceremony begins at 10:30am on Tuesday morning in the Notre-Dame Cathédrale. Attending the ceremony will be members from the Grand Ducal family, members of the government and deputies and representatives of Luxembourg City. Following the Te Deum celebrations will be the firing of 101 cannonballs that takes place in Fetschenhaff, just outside of Cents.
The final tribute for this year’s celebrations is the Prise d’armes military parade – featuring member of Luxembourg’s army, police and other social service organizations, such as the Red Cross. Lieutenant-Colonel Romain Mancinelli, commander of the Centre Miltaire de Diekrich, will lead the parade march down the Avenue de la Liberté. For this year’s march, the ceremony commemorates the 60th anniversary of the founding of NATO, and includes the Belgian regiment of the Carabiniers Prins Boudewijn and the 40th regiment of the Transmissions of Thionville.
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| 19-JUN-09 |
US Ambassador to Luxembourg, Ann Wagner,
says Goodbye |
The US Ambassador to Luxembourg, Ann L Wagner, yesterday said goodbye and thank you to a host of politicians, dignataries, academics, members of the clergy and representatives of the business and social communities across Luxembourg. Government Ministers Luc Frieden, Jean-Louis Schiltz, Claude Wiesler were also in attendance.
Ambassador Wagner returns to Missouri at the end of this month having completed her term of almost five years in the Grand Duchy. She will take a three-month break before embarking on her next challenge. During her term here, her husband Ray kept up his business interests in the US and clocked up thousands of air miles by way of his 50+ flights to and from the Grand Duchy.
She arrived in Luxembourg on 9 August 2005 (see photo above and ) and presented her credtials to the Grand Duke in September of that year.
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| 15-JUN-09 |
Reopening of Bock Casemates to Public
in Luxembourg City |
After a renovations and improved safety , the grand reopening of the Bock Casemates in Luxembourg City to the general public took place last Thursday. This event was organized by the Luxembourg City Tourist Office.
In total, the restoration work took 7 months to complete. With over 100,000 visitors per year, Casemates Bock - and Pétrusse - are the most visited tourist attraction of Luxembourg City and reflect the glorious past of the legendary fortress city. The casemates appear on the World Heritage List of UNESCO, as the labyrinth tunnels carved in the rock are unique.
The casemates du Bock will be open until 31st October from 10am to 5pm. Entry is via the Montée de Clausen in Luxembourg.
The casemates in the Pétrusse will be open until 13th September, from 11am 4pm. Entrance is via Place de la Constitution in Luxembourg Luxembourg.
For more information about the Casemates visit: http://www.lcto.lu.
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| 09-JUN-09 |
Prime Minister Juncker in Audience with Grand Duc Henri |
The day after elections in Luxembourg, in an audience with Grand Duke Henri, Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker formally drew a line under the government's work over the past five years. During the meeting, Grand Duke Henri accepted the resignation of the government.
In order for the country not to be without a government, during the coalition negotiations in the coming weeks, ministers must complete their “work” before handing over to the new members of parliament. Grand Duke Henri instructed the Prime Minister and the Government that any urgent official business must continue.
Earlier, Prime Minister Juncker in reflection on the past government said; "We have worked well together for the last five years in a friendly atmosphere," he reported. "This work has been rewarded by the voters."
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Celebrating Luxembourg Heritage in the Stearns County Area
The Stearns History Museum and the Luxembourg American Cultural Society cordially invite you to:
Celebrating Luxembourg Heritage in the Stearns County Area
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
9:00 a.m. Presentation
OR
6:30 p.m. Presentation
Stearns History Museum
235 – 33rd Avenue South
St. Cloud, MN 56301
Presenters:
Gretchen Leisen, St. Cloud, MN
“The Experience of Luxembourg Immigrants in Stearns County”
Kevin Wester, Luxembourg American Cultural Society
“Re-energizing Luxembourg Heritage in the U.S.”
Also view the special exhibit Luxembourg – USA: An Immigration Story, featured at Ellis Island, and now on display at the Stearns History Museum
For more information contact: Gretchen Leisen – 320-252-1646 or
Kevin Wester – 262-355-5758 – kwester@luxamculturalsociety.org
May 2009
| 29-MAY-09 |
Luxembourg Chamber Orchestra Exhibition Opens |
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An exhibition celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Luxembourg Chamber Orchestra has been opened by Octavie Modert, Secretary of State for Culture, Higher Education and Research, at the National Library of Luxembourg. Also in attendance were Erna Hennicot-Schoepges, president of the Orchestra, Anne Brasseur and Lydia Polfer, Aldermen of the Ville de Luxembourg.
Organized by the orchestra in partnership with the Center for Studies and Musical Documentation (Cedom) from the National Library, this exhibition reflects the different strands of 35 years of musical and cultural life of the Luxembourg Chamber Orchestra. With music scores, posters, programmes, publications and recordings on show, the public can get a clear idea of the role played by the Orchestra in the music scene, both in Luxembourg and abroad.
The exhibition can be visited at the Salle des Arts de la Bibliothèque nationale, 37, boulevard F.D. Roosevelt, from 26 May to 20 June 2009. It is open Tuesday - Friday from 10:00 - 18:30 and Saturday from 09:00 to 12:00.
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Photo copyright BnL
| 25-MAY-09 |
Luxembourg Awaits Upcoming Elections |
Luxembourg goes to the polls on Sunday 7 June for both the country’s national as well as European elections. Polling booths are open until 14:00 in all 116 communes cross the country.
The national elections are held every 5 years, the current government being sworn in on 31 July 2004 after the 13 June election.
60 seats are open for election on 7 June:
- 23 in the South (Esch & Capellen cantons);
- 21 in the Centre (Luxembourg & Mersch cantons);
- 9 in the North (Diekirch, Redange, Wiltz, Clervaux & Vianden cantons);
- 7 in the East (Grevenmacher, Remich & Echternach cantons).
Each party can propose a number of candidates which cannot be greater than the number of seats/electoral zone.
Proportional representation is practiced in Luxembourg, with the quota calculated as the total number of votes divided by the number of seats +1. Each voter can vote for up to the number of seats available is his/her electoral zone. After the first count some candidates will have been elected by reaching the quota and the revised quota is then calculated with the revised number of seats available.
Voters need to be 18 on the day of the election, be Luxembourgish, reside in the Grand Duchy and have no criminal record. Almost the same criteria are applicable for candidates. Postal voting is available for those aged 75+ or those abroad. Applications were open from 29 March – 8 May, with voting to take place at least 14 days before election day.
A draw was made on 9 April for the order in which the parties appear on ballot papers: the result was as follows, with numbers of seats won in the 1999 and 2004 elections, with 2009 predictions in brackets:
1. KPL d’Kommunisten: 0, 0 (0)
The Communist Party last won a seat in 1989
2. Dei Greng: 5, 7 (8)
The Green Party was founded in 1983; party leader: Claude Turmes; it has become a stable party with stable policies and support has risen steadily since the 1980s; it is promoting climate change as a long-term policy; it hopes to win a seat from the LSAP.
3. ADR – Alternativ Demokratesch Reformpartei: 7, 5 (7)
The party originally started when it split from the LSAP as a single-issue party on pension rights, but is no longer considered just a pressure group for higher pensions; it is protective of the Luxembourgish language, is concerned at economic liberalisation and excessive immigration; it is perceived as posing the biggest threat to the CSV.
4. LSAP d’Sozialisten: 13, 14 (12)
Scoialist Party, with current government Ministers Jean Asselborn, Jeannot Krecké, Mars di Bartholomeo, Lucien Lux. The left-of-centre party and current coalition partner drove the Single Status bill (equality for white- and blue-collar workers) through parliament; it promotes spending on solial themes including health and education, and it wants to retain salary indexation.
5. DP: 15, 10 (11)
Centre party / Liberal, in opposition since 1984; party leader: Claude Meisch. The party has youthful leadership; it advocates lower taxes; it is on the way back up from its poor 2004 election showing but could still lose out to the ADR.
6. Dei Lenk: 1, 0 (0)
The Left last won a seat in 1999
7. CSV Chreschtlech Sozial Vollekspartei: 19, 24 (22)
Christian Social Party, the main winner in 2004; Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker, also Ministers Luc Frieden, Fernand Boden, Marie-Josée Jacobs, Francois Biltgen, Jean-Marie Halsdorf, Jean-Louis Schiltz, Octavie Modert. This centre-right party has been the dominant coalition partner since the end of WW2. It can boast that public finances are in good shape despite the economic downturn; Prime Minister Juncker is very popular and Minister Frieden appears to be his heir-in-waiting particularly following his handling of the financial crisis.
8. Biegerlescht: 0, 0 (0)
Has not held any seats
 
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Election Prediction |
| 24-MAY-09 |
Memorial Day Ceremony at American Military Cemetery in Hamm, Luxembourg |
Over 500 people attended the Memorial Day Ceremony sponsored by the United States Embassy at the American Military Cemetery in Hamm, Luxembourg on Saturday May 23rd.
After the entrance and introduction of the official party, a Missing Man Formation flyover by the U.S. Air Force 52nd Fighter Wing from the Spangdahlem Air Force Base dramatically recognized their lost comrades who died in battle.
Musical performances were sung by Dikricher Solschlesselcher with an invocation by Father Patrick Muller who stated, “We must remember those who gave their lives for freedom and peace so that the Son of Liberty could rise up over Luxembourg and Europe.”
The Ambassador of the United States Ann L. Wagner welcomed the dignities present, families of those deceased, veterans, U.S. & Allied Armed Forces, and the general public. She noted the exceptionally glowing sunshine for those in attendance to breathe new life into a ceremony that highlights the ideals of liberty and to ensure those who have sacrificed in the name of freedom have not been forgotten. She recalled how almost 65 years ago over 19,000 U.S. soldiers were killed and 62,000 wounded and captured in battle during the winters of 1944-45 in the Ardennes. She stated 5,257 Luxembourgers died in the struggle of tyranny – with half assigned to the Russian Front or forced into battle. 700 Jews died in Nazi death camps. This sacrifice against terror, tyranny and oppression must continue in our vigilance today to maintain freedom, as she appreciated the American service men and women serving in 120 nations around the globe. Finally, since this is her last Memorial Day ceremony as the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, she thanked those who welcomed her into their homes, schools, work places and places of worship.
“I truly feel I have come to know the people of Luxembourg in a very personal and real way. There is a profound bond and respect between the two countries started by those winters 65 years ago. It will endure in our common history of service and sacrifice and continue to pass on to our next generation of leaders,” Wagner said.
Minister Luc Frieden highlighted the shared values between Luxembourg and the United States, noting the indebtedness to those soldiers who brought freedom in the most abhorrent conditions. He expounded other battles must be fought today such as the fight against hunger, Aids, the global economy, and global warming. No nation can act alone and there must be a partnership benefiting both sides of the Atlantic and all humanity.
The Prayer of Remembrance by the Jewish Congregation of Spangdahlem Vice-President Francois Moyse asked God to bring peace and fraternity to the whole world. Brigadier General Joe E. Ramirez urged us not to forget those who have died in battle for liberty’s sake, and to push politics aside to agree that fighting for freedom is one of the noblest endeavors. “These people are worth more than a 20 second sound bite, and we must continue to find ways to tell their stories.”
A somber wreath laying by the official parties took place by the Marshal of the Court H.E. Pierre Mores, U.S. Ambassador Ann L. Wagner, Member of Parliament Anne Brasseur, Minister of Justice Luc Frieden, President of the Luxembourg Council of State Alain Meyer, City of Luxembourg Official Lydie Polfer and other U.S. and Luxembourg organizations. A moment of silence ensued, followed by a 21 gun salute, the playing of Taps and the Luxembourg and American Anthems, ending by a Benediction by Chaplain Mark Tidd.
Melanie Salava
 
 
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Memorial Day Ceremony |
Chambre de Commerce of Luxembourg Helps Businesses in Hard Times
Under the leadership of Pierre Gramegna, Director-General, the Chambre de Commerce of Luxembourg has launched a new service to help businesses during the current economic crisis.
Luxembourg's Ministre des Classes moyennes, du Tourisme et du Logement, Fernand Boden, helped launch the new service which is known as www.vaccinanticrise.lu, in collaboration also with la Chambre des Métiers.
Various business experts will be on hand to make a diagnosis of a company's situation, re-creditors, etc., and can suggest remedial measures to help break the deadlock and rescue the company.
Pont Adolphe to Undergo Renovations
Luxembourg City mayor, Paul Helminger, confirmed on Wednesday that the Pont Adolphe will be reopened in 2011 and will be completely prepared for the city tram project.
The bridge is to undergo structural repairs, and the preparatory work for the tram project will be undertaken at the same time. During the work, the bridge will be closed and a temporary parallel bridge will have two lanes for cars and one for buses.
The bridge was built between 1899 and 1903 by French engineer, Paul Séjourné.
French & Belgian Steelworkers Protest at Headquarters for ArcelMittal Steel in Luxembourg City
Learn more
Annual Outdoor Mass will Commemorate Luxembourg Heritage in Northwest Iowa
The 5th annual outdoor Luxembourg heritage Mass will be held Wednesday May 20 at the St. Donatus historical site outside Alton, Iowa.
The Mass is hosted by the Luxembourg Heritage Society of Northwest Iowa and will begin at 6:00 p.m. The Mass commemorates the arrival of the first Luxembourger farming families in our area on May 20, 1870.
The first Mass was held in 2005 on the 135th anniversary of the settlement of 14 families around the rural historical site. The families migrated from St. Donatus settlement south of Dubuque, Ia., and subsequently dedicated their rural church, parish and cemetery to the same patron as their point of origin.
Through the years hundreds of Luxembourg families poured into this area of Northwest Iowa, and had extensive influence in the development of Le Mars, Remsen, Oyens, Granville, Alton, Hospers and Marcus.
St. Donatus is a very famous saint among Luxembourg farmers and is the patron saint of protection from lightning and thunderstorms. There are statues of St. Donatus in the Catholic churches of Granville and Remsen and in the Le Mars Catholic cemetery.
St. Donatus rural church was closed in the 1890’s and the lumber used to enlarge St. Mary’s Church of Alton. The historic site was formed in 1964 in memory of the first families and since one family decided not to allow their children to be moved from the St. Donatus Cemetery into Alton.
Father Mike Erpelding, who is of Luxembourg lineage, will preside. The Erpelding family came from the Luxembourg village of Consdorf and settled in the area of St. Joseph and Bode, Ia. Fr. Erpelding grew up on the family farm between Whittemore and Algona and was baptized at St. Michael’s Church in Whittemore. He is currently pastor at St. Joseph Parish in Sioux City and serves on the marriage tribunal for the Diocese of Sioux City.
Persons wishing to attend the Mass are asked to bring their own lawn chairs for seating. The memorial site is located one mile west of county blacktop L-14, which runs between state Highways 10 and 3. From Highway 10 take L-14 two miles south and then gravel road 480th St. (Sioux County) one mile west. From Highway 3 (Golden Pheasant) take L-14 ten miles north and then one mile west on 480th. The intersection is Kingbird and 480th. Please approach the area with caution.
In case of inclement weather, which includes winds in excess of 15 mph, a brief prayer service will be held at the historical site at 6 o’clock, with Mass then held in St. Mary’s Church in Alton at approximately 6:30. Afterwards, heritage society members will have dinner at the OK Café in Alton, ordering from the menu. Everyone is invited. More information can be obtained by contacting Rick Roder (786-2015; rroder@midlands.net).
Archbishop Fernand Franck of Luxembourg
Celebrates His 75th Birthday on May 6th
The LACS extends its warmest birthday wishes to our beloved Archbishop Franck of Luxembourg as he celebrated his 75th birthday on May 6th. The Archbishop has visited Luxembourg American communities in the U.S. in 2000 and 2007. He is also an Ambassador level member of the LACS and has shown great support for the Cultural Society and Center. In August 2007 he visited Belgium, Wisconsin and blessed the cornerstone and time capsule for the new Cultural Center. The LACS is grateful for his support and wishes him continued good health and many blessings!
Screening of Luxembourg Documentary
Saturday, May 9 at 5:00PM
at the Navy Memorial Auditorium at 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC
 Léif Lëtzebuerger… Charlotte: A Royal at War is about the remarkable true story of Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg and her government's pursuit of freedom for their country against the brutal occupation by Hitler's Third Reich. This feature-length documentary film is the previously untold account of Charlotte of Luxembourg, a wife, a mother of six children and Head of State of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Charlotte became a "Royal propagandist in pearls" who inspired a nation through the power of radio, reaching her people in their darkest hour. The film reveals a powerful truth: ordinary people will endure hardship, imprisonment, even death, if they have someone to believe in, to keep their hopes alive. The feature length documentary combines vivid eyewitness testimony with dramatic reconstruction and unique, previously unseen, color archive. It is also the remarkable story of a wartime friendship between the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and President Roosevelt. The documentary was released on March 21, 2008 in Luxembourg and in London on September 19, 2008 in the presence of HHRRHH Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Marie- Therese of Luxembourg as well as members of the British Royal Family. The premiere of "Charlotte: A Royal at War" in New York opened on March 27, 2009 at the Consulate General of Luxembourg in the presence of Curtis Roosevelt, grand-son of the late President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, as well as the producers Candice Allen-Olson and Lynn Rothwell. The Chicago premiere took place on March 31 at the Gene SIskel Film Center and Mr. Roosevelt, the filmmakers and Ambassador Senninger of Luxembourg were interviewed on ABC 7 News and WGN Radio's Milt Rosenberg Show prior to the screening. It is now running in competition in the First edition of the Politics on Film Festival that will open on Thursday, May 7 in Washington, DC. The showing of Léif Lëtzebuerger… Charlotte: A Royal at War is scheduled on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 5:00PM at the Navy Memorial Auditorium at 701 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington DC.
For ticketing information please visit www.politicsonfilm.com
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