Luxembourg Heritage News

December 2009

American Ambassador Stroum Arrives in Luxembourg

The new Ambassador of the United States of America to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Ms Cynthia Stroum, arrived in Luxembourg on December 10, 2009 and will stay for approximately one week.

The new ambassador of the United States to luxembourg, Cynthia Stourm arrived in the Grand-Duchy today for a one week visit before she takes office in January.

During her stay, Ambassador Stroum will focus on meeting the Embassy staff and other internal affairs.  She will not make public appointments or media interviews in December. When she returns to Luxembourg in January, Ambassador Stroum will take part in a credentialing ceremony with Grand Duke Henri before beginning her formal role as President Obama’s personal representative in the Grand Duchy.

Cynthia Stroum, who is originally from Seattle, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations and Journalism. She has contributed to a wide variety of philanthropic causes, political campaigns and cultural interests, and has invested in various successful enterprises, including the Starbucks Coffee Company.  In 2008, she co-produced a Broadway show, “A Raisin in the Sun,” which was nominated for a Tony Award.

In recognition of her outstanding service to the greater community, Ambassador Stroum has been honored with various distinguished awards, including the Shining Star Award from the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), and the Woman of Valor Award presented by Senator Maria Cantwell for her work in health advocacy.

12/12/2009   Brrr.....It's About To Get Very Cold In Luxembourg

Temperatures are about to drop drastically in the Grand-Duchy over the weekend and remain below 0° C next week.

From Saturday, freezing temperatures will move in across the country with an average around 0°C, moderate North Eastern wind will also contribute to the cold weather. Drivers should be careful in the evening since the cold could make the roads icy.

Snow falls are expected on Sunday but the weather should remain dry, icy and windy over the coming week. Temperatures could drop to -10° Celsius during the night between Tuesday and Wednesday.

12-8-2009:   Luxembourg Christmas Parade This Coming Sunday

For the sixth year running, the Luxembourg Christmas Parade, will brighten the streets of the capital on Sunday, with several new attractions to delight kids and adults alike.

Open shops are not the only thing to look forward to this Sunday in Luxembourg City,  it is also the date of the sixth Christmas Parade.

The 13th December will see the big parade which attracts many spectators each year with massive floats and oversized snowmen.

It starts at about 5pm in front of the Central Station and will slowly make its way down the Avenue de la Liberté  to the  Gëlle Fra, (golden lady) statue

The event is organized by Cyn-Art together with the City of Luxembourg within the “Winter Lights” programme.

Rumour has it that this year there are several new attractions such as the world's biggest Santa Clause hat and Christmas Parade Dancers – a dance group especially created for the occasion.

November 2009

Belgium Cub Scouts Visit Cultural Center

On November 24, a group of Cub Scouts from Belgium, Wisconsin's Pack 3806 and their parents visited the Cultural Center. The scouts learned about Luxembourg, immigrants, and how immigrants continue to come to America today. The scouts were especially impressed by the Luxembourg American Family Tree and they thought that the roots of the Family Tree which go three feet below floor level were especially "cool". They also enjoyed the floor of the "Roots and Leaves Museum" which is a huge vinyl map of Europe, the Atlantic Ocean and the United States. As part of the tour, the scouts made believe that they were immigrants starting in Luxembourg, traveling over the Atlantic, entering the U.S. through New York and then they made their way to Belgium, Wisconsin. It was a great hands on experience that helped the scouts gain a little understanding of the experience of an immigrant. The scouts also enjoyed the new St. Nicholas exhibit at the Cultural Center and ate their fill of the candy canes and other sweets at the exhibit. Following the tour, the scouts held their regular meeting in the Research Center while their parents continued touring the Cultural Center. We thanks the scouts and their parents for visiting and for their kind donation of $100 in support of the Cultural Society's mission.

Luc Marteling of RTL Visits the Cultural Center

  Noted Luxembourg journalist, Luc Marteling, of RTL
(Radio-Television Luxembourg) visited the Luxembourg American Cultural Center this past Monday to do research for a book he is currently writing. Luc is the Chief Editor of RTL NewMedia and oversees RTL's internet news
site (www.RTL.lu).  The book Luc is writing is a personal project that will identify various places outside of the Grand Duchy that use the name Luxembourg or Luxemburg.  Included in Luc's research are Luxemburg, Iowa, Luxembourg, Minnesota, Luxembourg, Wisconsin, Luxemburger Hall, Aurora, Illinois, Cafe Luxembourg in New York, etc.  Luc is researching places not only in the U.S. but in Europe as well.

                While visiting the U.S. this past week, Luc made stops in
St. Donatus, Iowa, Luxemburg, Iowa, Luxembourg, Minnesota, Luxemburg,
Wisconsin, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin and Aurora, Illinois.  During his time
at the Luxembourg American Cultural Center he worked with numerous resources
for the Center's extensive research collection to assist in his research.

                The LACS is proud to say that Luc is now a member of the
Society and will even have a commemorative brick in the Cultural Society's
courtyard!  The LACS wishes Luc great success in his continued research.  We
will keep you informed as to the progress of Luc's book and announce its
publication.  Luc's book will be a must have for all Luxembourg enthusiasts!

11/18/2009        Life expectancy has gone up in Luxembourg

by Jane Bretin

According to a Statec study published on Tuesday on mortality in Luxembourg, it appears that Luxembourgers live longer than they used to. Since the end of the 20th century, life expectancy at birth has gone up for both men and women.

According to a study by Statec, both women and men live longer since the end of the last century and the gap between the mortality ages has reduced. Since the end of last century, life expectancy at birth has increased for both men and women by 4.1 and 3.1 years respectively, currently women live to an average of 82.7 years and men to 77.6 years old.

In the past 30 years men have gained 10.3 years of life compared to 8.2 years for women. The increase is due to various factors such as infant mortality rate that has decreased between 1980 and 2007, it has gone down from 19.4‰ to 2.9‰ for men and from 9.1‰ to 0.7‰ for women.

In the period between 2005 and 2007, a quarter of deaths occur during the first 63 years of life for men and during the first 73 years of life for women. Over the same period of time, half of the deaths took place during the 74 first years for men and the 82 first years for women.

The rate of infant mortality (deaths that occur before 1 year of age) is low in Luxembourg, but it remains high compared to other age groups, although it has dropped since the 20th century. The decline in infant mortality witnesses an increase in very early death. Since the beginning of the 21st century, nearly 44% of child deaths occur during the first week of life and up to 71% occur during the first month (compared to 65% between 1954 and 1961). These deaths are usually due to premature birth (before 37 weeks) or to low birth weight (less than 2.5 kg).

For children between 1 and 14 years old, mortality rates are globally low and most occur between 1 and 4 years old. Accidental deaths are most common (54.9%) usually road accidents compared to natural deaths (45.1%) which is globally due to cancer, infectious disease or birth defect. For young adults between 15 and 24 years old, 79% of death are circumstantial, the most common is traffic accidents (63.6%) and suicide (19.9%).

During working years, between 25 and 64 years old, only 19.9% of deaths are accidental for men and 11.9% among women. The most common causes of natural deaths are tumours and circulatory diseases. After the age of 65, circulatory illness is the main cause of death, followed by tumours, accidental death makes up for only 3.3%.

October 2009

Chicago Luxembourg American Community & Friends Bid “Adieu” to Honorary Consul General Donald & Gerda Hansen

Following the Procession, Veneration, and Mass in Honor of Our Lady of Consolation on October 4, members of the Chicago Luxembourg American Community and other guests bid “Adieu” to Honorary Consul General Donald & Gerda Hansen at a brunch celebrated in their honor.  Special guest, Mario Wiesen, the recently appointed Consul of Luxembourg in Washington, DC, was present at the brunch representing Ambassador Jean-Paul Senninger. 

For the past 14 years, Don Hansen has served as Honorary Consul General of Luxembourg in Chicago with jurisdiction in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.  During that time, both he and Gerda have worked tirelessly promoting the Grand Duchy and fostering pride in Luxembourg heritage through innumerable cultural activities and experiences. 

Their leadership through the Chicago Consulate and EU Chicago has helped enliven Luxembourg heritage and culture in the heart of the Midwest in ways that will have a lasting impact for years to come.  Don and Gerda were central to the founding of the Luxembourg American Cultural Society and the building of the Luxembourg American Cultural Center in Belgium, Wisconsin.

In addition, they have provided outstanding service and leadership to the Grand Lodge of the Luxembourg Brotherhood of America, the Luxembourg Brotherhood of America – Section 15,the Luxembourg News of America, and the annual Schobermesse.

During their tenure in the Chicago Consulate they have been active and respected members of Chicago Consulate Corps, always representing the Grand Duchy and the Luxembourg American community with style and grace.  Don was the longest serving Second Vice Dean of the 87 member Corps and volunteered his time on their Executive Committee.  At the same time, Gerda was an active member of the CCCLC, the Chicago Consular Corps Ladies Club.

The Hansens will soon be moving to Estero, Florida, and though Don’s assignment in Chicago concludes as soon as the U.S. State Department decides on a date, most likely before year’s end, both Don and Gerda plan to continue to serve in consular capacities.

Don will serve as Honorary Consul General of Luxembourg for the state of Florida and Gerda was recently named Honorary Consul of her native Austria with jurisdiction in western Florida.  The Chicago Consulate’s loss is truly Florida’s gain!  Still, both Gerda and Don have expressed their farewells with a fond “bis geschwenn”.

The LACS extends their heartfelt gratitude to both the Honorable Donald J. and Gerda Hansen, for all that they have done and will continue to do to promote Luxembourg – American relations!  We look forward to their continued leadership on the LACS Board of Directors and wish them God’s continued blessings in the Sunshine State!

Annual Procession and Veneration of Our Lady of Consolation

On Sunday, October 4, a group of proud and faith-filled Luxembourg Americans gathered at the Carmelite Monastery in Des Plaines, Illinois for the annual Procession & Veneration of Our Lady of Consolation, Patroness of Luxembourg.  It was a chilly but sunny day for the procession with the statue of Our Lady of Consolation.

The statue was gifted to the Chicago Luxembourg American community by the Cathedral de Notre-Dame, Luxembourg City and its pastor Fr. Nicolas Wirtz in 1978.  It was enshrined at the Carmelite Monastery in Des Plaines on October 27, 1978.  The Sisters of Carmel at the monastery are cloistered so the statue is only available to be viewed on the day of the Procession and Veneration and every third Sunday of each month between 3 – 5 p.m.

The Procession was followed by a Mass celebrated in the Carmelite Chapel by the Most Reverend Raymond Goedert, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago with concelebrant and homilist Fr. John Clemens.  Music was provided by the Carmelite sisters as well as the traditional singing of O Mamm lèif Mamm by Gerda Hansen and Peter and Pamela Schroeder.

After Mass, those in attendance had the special opportunity to visit briefly with the Sisters of Carmel.  The day of celebration concluded with brunch at nearby Grazie Ristorante in honor of Honorary Consul General Donald & Gerda Hansen who will be relocating to Florida (see story below). 

Thanks to all who planned this memorable day with special thanks to Bishop Goedert, Fr. Clemens, and the Sisters of Carmel, Linda Hansen Gould, and Barbara Hames.

September 2009