At the heart of Europe
Luxembourg has always reached out to its neighbouring countries to form alliances and set up partnerships.
So it’s no wonder that Luxembourg was sitting at the table when 6 countries signed the Treaty of Rome, the foundation of the European Union.
From then on, Luxembourg has upheld its European spirit and currently hosts some of the major EU institutions with great pride.
Multilingualism
Luxembourgers are proud of their heritage and their language, but they are pragmatic about it as well. On top of the three official languages of the country – Luxembourgish, German and French, English is also taught as a mandatory subject in school.
Furthermore, many people speak other languages such as Portuguese, Italian or Spanish. In fact, an average resident speaks 3.6 languages!
In any case, given that the international community makes up roughly 47% of Luxembourg’s population, you will always find someone who understands you.
Schengen
In the South, Luxembourg shares a border of over 73 km with France. In the West, 148 km with Belgium and, in the East, 135 km with Germany. But what is the point of talking about borders, anyway?
In the summer of 1985 the Benelux countries, as well as France and Germany signed the ‘Schengen Agreement‘ in the small ‘3 countries corner‘ town of Schengen, thus agreeing to open their mutual borders.
Today, 26 countries are part of the Schengen Area. This historical landmark is well worth a visit!
University
It’s a long tradition that Luxembourgers head abroad to pursue their academic studies in order to discover new cultures and broaden their horizon. While this tradition is still being upheld, Luxembourg also launched its own university in 2003, attracting foreign and national talent.
Located in the former industrial district of Esch-Belval, uni.lu is perfectly integrated into the European university landscape – and the Times’ Higher Education Top 200.
Looking for a cosmopolitan higher education experience? Well, welcome to Luxembourg!
Philharmonie
You name any famous orchestra, and they will quite probably have performed in the ‘Philharmonie’.
Since 2005, this stunning building on the Kirchberg plateau has organised world-class concerts of different genres, hosting musicians from across the globe.
Christian de Portzamparc’s architecture, with acoustics by Albert Yaying Xu, make for a very special place to experience music. An icon of contemporary architecture in Luxembourg!
Mudam
Its glass cupola is an unmistakeable hint: Chinese American architect leoh Ming Pei has been at work here.
As he has in many other places around the globe, leoh Ming Pei created a state-of-the-art exhibition space which, today displays its own renowned collections, loans works of art to partnering museums all over the world, and hosts international exhibitions.
In brief, this is world class contemporary art.
Castles and fortresses
Luxembourg’s medieval castles are mostly confined to the hilly North of the country.
Some of these structures, such as those in Vianden, Beaufort, or the ‘Valley of Seven Castles,’ have become icons, well-known beyond our borders.
However, all of them are picturesque in their very own way, inextricably linked to Luxembourg’s history. Happy exploring!
Fortress
Luxembourg’s fortress used to be much sought-after. Among other things, its central location and gradually built, extensive fortifications made for an ideal military site.
No wonder that, over the course of the centuries, French, Spanish and Austrian troops all made their contribution to the former ‘Gibraltar of the North.’
In 1867, however, the martial phase of fortress history came to an end. Under the Treaty of London, Luxembourg became neutral and large parts of its fortress were destroyed. Some bastions, such as the ‘Spanish towers’ and walls have been preserved and today, they endow Luxembourg with its iconic, picturesque views of its old town, a UNESCO world heritage site since 1994!
Red Bridge
The official name of this edifice is ‘Pont Grand-Duchesse Charlotte’, but most people simply and affectionately refer to it as the ‘Roud Bréck’, or ‘Red Bridge’.
Built in the mid-1960s, this landmark links the upper town to the plateau of Kirchberg, where urban development then started with European institutions setting up their headquarters.
Since then, the district has continued to develop to a financial district, as has the use of the bridge. Keyword: Tram!
Golden Lady
A beautiful and golden shining statue, created as a memorial to the victims of the First World War.
Set up at a location for everyone to see. Torn down during the Nazi occupation. Lost and forgotten for decades. Finally retrieved in the 1980s, and reinstalled as a memorial to the victims of both World Wars.
In 2010, it was decided that we should share her beauty and let her discover the world – the ‘golden lady’ travelled to the Shanghai World Expo as a true ambassador of Luxembourg. Welcome her back home!
Flag
It’s true, Luxembourg’s flag may remind you of the Dutch one, but the devil is in the detail.
The blue colour in Luxembourg’s flag is a tad lighter. Since the Dutch kings were, for most of the 19th century, also Grand Dukes of Luxembourg, this similarity seems perfectly comprehensible.
However, there are conflicting stories… Whatever the truth may be, we’ll show our true colours!
Fireworks
True, fireworks are common around the world.
Yet in Luxembourg, they really are enjoyed as a closing (or opening) act for many great events, including the yearly funfair ‘Schueberfouer’ and the national holiday in June.
We’ve celebrated this holiday – the anniversary of the Grand Duchess or Grand Duke – on the same day for three generations, even though it’s not actually her (or his) birthday. Anyway, see you on the eve of June 23rd!
Ferris wheel
Every year, in the late summer, the setting up of the Riserad, visible from afar, heralds Luxembourg-City’s traditional Schueberfouer.
This yearly funfair can be traced back more than 670 years! In late August and early September you’ll have the chance to take a ride, win a prize, get a bite.
Unfortunately, the fairground stalls will hit the road around mid-September, leaving no doubt that summer is over for another year.
Superjhemp
As a hero in his own right, Superjhemp – Jhemp being a typical Luxembourgish male name – has accompanied a whole generation through its childhood.
Since the late 1980s, this cartoon figure has been solving crimes and mysteries, saved a Luxembourgish papal candidate and sweetened the evenings of many children – and parents…
Do you know a Superjhemp of your own? If so, this one’s for you!
Melusina
This love story between a mermaid and Count Siegfried of Luxembourg is part of the country’s founding legends. A story proving that men, in some circumstances, are at least as nosy as they claim women are.
In brief, Melusina insisted on her privacy once a week and retired to her bathroom. Suspicious of her doings, the Count watched through the keyhole and discovered Melusina’s fishtail… His curiosity made him lose her forever, since she quickly jumped into the river Alzette and was never seen again.
Except that today, she is once again sitting on the Alzette’s bank – welcoming visitors as a modern sculpture, in purple. Why not pay her a visit?
Renert
The ‘Renert’ is the Luxembourgish version of the ‘Reineke Fuchs’, an opus that has been part of European literary history since the 15th century. One of the most famous interpreters was the German author Goethe (who, by the way, spent some time in Luxembourg).
Luxembourg’s Renert was written by Michel Rodange in the 19th century. A national epic today, the fable is a satirical story depicting the unique characters of Luxembourg (at the time, of course).
The protagonist? Renert, a trickster fox in a tailcoat. Enjoy the read!
Literature
Luxembourgish is an independent language, and of course has developed a lively literary landscape of its own for anyone to explore, bookworm or not.
In a country marked by such a moving history and diverse population, there are many stories to tell. There are several publishing houses and many authors contributing to Luxembourgish fiction and non-fiction.
If interested, just pop into a bookshop, and ask for the ‘Luxemburgensia’. Enjoy the read!
Art
Luxembourg boasts a great number of exceptional museums, exhibitions and galleries, showcasing the long tradition and great diversity of art throughout the ages, from across the country and beyond.
In 1995, Luxembourg City was the European Capital of Culture for the first time. This gave a strong boost to the promotion of arts, to the development of cultural venues and to the presence and appreciation of contemporary art in particular.
Following Luxembourg City as host of the ECoC for a second time in 2007, 2022 will see Esch-sur-Alzette, our second city, take a turn. Esch2022!
In the same collection
Country Multilingualism Schengen University Philharmonie Mudam