LUXEMBOURG

LUXEMBOURG

Luxembourg has been under the control of many states and ruling houses in its long history, but it has been a separate, if not always autonomous, political unit since the 10th century. Today, Luxembourg is a hereditary Grand Duchy with a unicameral parliamentary system.
Luxembourgish, the national language, is akin to German. German is the first foreign language for most Luxembourgers and is used in the media. French is the administrative language.
The economic structure of Luxembourg is based mainly in banking, insurance, and the steel industry. Agriculture and wine production are also important.
Luxembourg shares the Moselle valley with Germany and the local white wines are well known and popular. Like other northern European countries, Luxembourg also produces popular brands of beer.

GEOGRAPHY

THE FLAG OF LUXEMBOURG

Luxembourg is about half the size of Delaware. The Ardennes Mountains extend from Belgium into the northern section of Luxembourg. The rolling plateau of the fertile Bon Pays is in the south.

Luxembourg is a small country located in the Low Countries, part of North-West Europe It borders Belgium (148 kilometers) to the west and north, France (73 km) to the south, and Germany (138 km) to the east. Luxembourg is landlocked, separated from theNorth Sea by Belgium.
The topography of the country is divided very clearly between the hilly Oesling of the northern third of the Grand Duchy and the flatGutland, which occupies the southern two-thirds. The country's longest river is the Sauer, which is a tributary of the Moselle, the basin of which includes almost all of Luxembourg's area. Other major rivers include the Alzette in the south and the Wiltz in the north.
The capital, and by far the largest city, is Luxembourg City, which is located in the Gutland, as are most of the country's main population centres, including Esch-sur-Alzette, Dudelange, and Differdange. Besides Luxembourg City, the other main towns are primarily located in the southern Red Lands region, which lines the border between Luxembourg and France to the south.
LUXEMBOURG SIGHTS
Luxembourg is officially divided into 24 districts, but the visitor really needs to know only 4:
 Ville Haute ("High City"), the medieval town core.
 Ville Basse ("Low City"), situated in the gorge that cuts itself across the city and the most picturesque area.
 Gare ("Station"), the location of the train station, a 15 min walk south of Ville Haute and home to many restaurants and cafés.

THE LAKE OF LUXEMBOURG

 Kirchberg, the modern city full of banks and European Union buildings, across the Red Bridge to the east, toward the airport. Unlikely to be of interest to the average tourist. But there is Utopolis, a multiplex cinema, and a shopping mall based around the (French) Auchan supermarket.

 The best way to get around Luxembourg is by foot, bike and bus. Due to the city's small size and beautiful scenery, by foot is also the best way to appreciate it. In a few hours (or dividing your trip in two days) you can get to know the whole city on foot. Buses are regular and they all pass through the central bus station Hamilius.
 The city also operates a self-service bike scheme and the stations can be found in various locations around the city centre. Also in the city is the country's main railway station and this can be got to by most buses. The station is a good way of getting around the country or speedily getting into any of the neighbouring countries.

  The Casemates Bock is a network of underground fortifications, built in the 18th century. The fortifications and environs are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 The Bock itself is the rock on which the first castle stood, founded in 963 by Sigefroy (Sigfried). It is tied to a number of other remains of the old fortifications. Among others, the famous fortress builder Vauban built much in the city.
 The river of Luxembourg is the Alzette, which is very small now, but because the sandstone of the area is very soft, it dug out a huge valley. This is called the Ville Basse and is a spectacular area particularly the Grund (Statgrond) which is well worth the time to take a stroll around. The old fortress surrounded this valley. The Venceslas walk (named after Venceslas, Czech king and count of Luxembourg who built much of the fortresses around) leads along the fortresses, protecting the city on one side (and now forming one of the most spectacular "balconies", the Corniche) and the fortress of the Raam plateau on the other. In the Grund itself you can find a lot of pubs and the....

THE PALACE OF DUKE

 Neumünster Abbey, now a cultural and encounter center with a nice church and the old St. John's hospital.
 The pedestrianized old town is where the greatest concentration of (rather expensive) shops as well as bars and restaurants are to be found. Specific sights are few but all around town you can spot details that remind you of Luxembourg's historical value.
 Just near the Hamilius bus station are Place Guillaume and the Place d'Armes. Place Guillaume (also known in Luxembourgish as the Knuedler) is the venue for a market every Wednesday and Saturday. It is also the site of an equestrian statue of William II of the Netherlands and Luxembourg and the neo-classical Town Hall which is fronted by two bronze lions summer months the Place d'Armes is filled with tables and chairs from the surroundng cafes and at the centre of the square is the bandstand around which various concert seasons are based.
 Just off the Place Guillaume is the Grand Ducal Palace which was fully restored during the nineties. It also houses the Luxembourgish Parliament the Chamber of Deputies.
 Also of note is the Cathedrale de Notre Dame. This was built between 1613 and 1618 by Jesuits and was elevated to the status of cathedral in 1870. Nearby is the Gëlle Fra: literally 'Golden Lady'. This is a golden figure of a woman holding a wreath a symbol of victory. It was taken down by the Nazi's during occupation but stands today as a memorial to those who gave their lives in World War II.
 Nearby Gëlle Fra and Place de la Constitution is the entrance to the Pétrusse Casemates which were constructed by the Spanish in 17th century. They are not as large as the Bock Casements.
 On the road from the inner city to the Bock you will find the Eglise St. Michel. This church took on its present form in 1688, but was probably built in the early 14th century. It was restored during 2003 and 2004.
Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial
 World War II Luxembourg A merican Cemetery and Memorial, in the eastern section of Luxembourg City, just south of the airport . Open daily except for December 25 and January 1; 9AM-5PM. The Cemetery is the final resting place for 5,076 American military Dead, most lost during the Battle of the Bulge. It is also the final resting place for General George Patton. A monument is inscribed with the names of 371 Americans whose remains were never found or identified. Two large stone pylons with operations maps made of inlaid granite describe the achievements of American armed forces in the region during World War II. Free.
 The Kirchberg area houses a number of banks and most of the European institutions in Luxembourg (Parlament, Court of Justice, Court of Auditors, European Investment Bank and some of the Commission's Directorate Generals. A number of buildings were build by celebrated architects like Richard Meyer and Gottfried Benn. Some modern sculptures also appear between the buildings.

 MUDAM (Musée d'Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean .Designed by I.M. Pei of "Louvre Pyramid" fame, this museum showcases Luxembourgish artists and changing international exhibitions. The nonlinear (and rather confusing) building is half the fun, and on a quiet weekday afternoon in the off season you'll pretty much have the place to yourself

      LOUXEMBOURG TRADITIONS

EASTER
According to legend, after the Gloria of Maundy Thursday Mass, church bells fly to Rome to receive shrift from the Pope. While the bells are away, on Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday, the school children take over their duties, calling the local people to their observances by cranking loud wooden ratchets, swinging rattle-boxes and playing drums.
Klibberjongen, the young racket-makers, are paid in Easter eggs or the odd coin, usually collected door-to-door on Easter Sunday morning, after the bells have returned to the belfry. In Luxembourg, as in many Christian countries, Easter would be incomplete without the Easter bunny and painted Easter eggs. Parents and grandparents hide Easter eggs around the house or the garden in little "nests", then stand back and watch the hunt. Social, or popular, Easter festivities take place on Easter Monday, not on Easter Sunday. Many families visit one of the country’s two Eemaischen fairs, one held in the capital’s old-town quarter, on the Fëschmaart (Fish Market), the other in Nospelt, a town in the west of the country. 
FATIMAOur Lady of Fatima plays an important role in the country’s religious life, and little wonder, as approximately 15% of the population of Luxembourg are Portuguese nationals. Since 1968, her pilgrimage has taken place on Ascension Day near Wiltz, in the Oesling region.

Luxembourg has been independent since 1839 and has a dynasty of its own since 1890. In the 19th century, Luxembourgers celebrated their national holiday on Kinnéksdag (King’s Day: the birthday of the Dutch king). The new country’s first real patriotic holiday wasGroussherzoginsgebuertsdag (the Grand Duchess’s Birthday). Grand Duchess Charlotte who reigned from 1919 to 1964 was born on the 23rd of January, but to take advantage of the better summer weather, her birthday celebrations were postponed by six months, to the 23rd of June. After Grand Duke Jean ascended the throne, the 23rd of June became the official national holiday.
The festivities in the capital begin on the eve of 23 June with a torch-lit parade past the palace, where the people gather to cheer the royal family. Thousands then attend theFreedefeier (fireworks) launched from the Adolphe bridge. Later, the capital gets into a party mood, with entertainment and live music on every square.
On the National Day itself, the Grand Duke reviews a military parade on the Avenue de la Liberté. The royal family and members of the political establishment then proceed to the Cathedral where they participate in a Te Deum, a praise hymn, in honour of the House of Luxembourg, conducted with great pomp

Grape and Wine festivals
There is a difference between a grape festival and a wine festival. Grape festivals are usually held in October, in thanksgiving for a good grape harvest. In Grevenmacher for instance, the Queen of Grapes is borne through town in a parade with bands, music and wine. The grape festival in Schwebsange, which features a town fountain that dispenses wine instead of water, is unique.
Wine festivals are really village festivals, usually held in spring, in the assembly hall of the local winery or outdoors in a large tent. Their purpose is sociability. 

                       THE OCTAVE
The Octave in honour of Our Lady is the year’s principal religious event. It usually takes place during the second half of April, over a period of 14 days, when parishioners from this country and from the Eifel in Germany, the Belgian province of Luxembourg and France’s Lorraine region make a pilgrimage to the Cathedral in the Luxembourg capital. The tradition began in 1666, when the council of the then province of Luxembourg chose Maria, Consolatrix Afflictorum to be the country’s patron saint, calling upon Her to protect the people from the plague. The origin of the statue of  Mary, carved from dark wood, has not been historically established. What is known is that in 1666, Jesuits brought it from the old Glacis chapel to today’s Cathedral, which was then a Jesuit church. During the period of the Octave, the statue of Mary stands on a special altar in the main choir.

Echternach Sprangpressessioun

The Echternach Sprangpressessioun forms part of an old religious tradition; however, unlike the Octave in the capital, it is famous far beyond the borders of Luxembourg and has an international reputation as something of an oddity. It takes place on Tuesday after Whit Sunday.

The procession originated in late pagan times. A legend of the VIII century traces it to St Willibrord, the founder of the Abbey of Echternach, and to a Laange Veith, known as the "Fiddler of Echternach". According to the story, Veith went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land with his wife, who died during the long journey. When he returned home, years later, alone, the relatives who had appropriated his property during his absence circulated the base rumour that she had perished by his hand. The thrice unhappy man was seized, tried, found guilty and sentenced to be hanged.

Asked on the gallows if he had a last wish, Veith asked for his fiddle, had it handed to him and then began to play - whereupon the townspeople who had gathered to witness his execution began to dance, under a compulsion which continued for as long as he played, and though exhaustion claimed many, who fell to the ground, most were still dancing long after Veith, still fiddling, had descended from the gallows and vanished from town. It took the prayers of the great St Willibrord, who hurried to the scene, to save the people from St Vitus’ dance, the spell put upon them by the innocent "Fiddler of Echternach".

Long ago, it was believed that the Sprangpressessioun healed St Vitus’ dance and other aches and pains of men and animals. Today, some call it folklore, forgetting that for centuries it was a great and solemn religious event which drew the pious faithful from far and wide. Most came on foot. The story is still told of worshippers from Prüm in the Eifel who never set out for Echternach without taking along a few coffins, because invariably their group lost a pilgrim or two en route.

Sprangpressessioun dancers "spring": two steps to the left, two to the right. In the past, the prescribed motion took them three steps forward, two steps back, the source of the celebrated metaphor: "at an Echternach pace". The procession, composed of rows of five to seven dancers, each dancer grasping the ends of a handkerchief, moves forward slowly to the repeated strains of the trance-inducing Sprangpressessioun melody, an ancient, joyous air that fades and recurs, like the tune of the folk-song "Adam had seven sons".

   LUXEMBOURG TRADITIONAL FOODS
Luxembourg has many delicacies. In addition to French pâtisseries, cake and fruit pies, local pastries include the Bretzel, a Lent speciality; Quetscheflued, a damson plum tart; verwurelt Gedanken or Verwurelter, small sugar-coated doughnuts; and Äppelklatzen, apples en croûte. Luxembourg's cheese speciality is Kachkéis or Cancoillotte, a soft cheese spread. 

TARTA

TRADITIONAL SALADE

Fish from the local rivers such as trout, pike, and crayfish are the basis for dishes such as F'rell am Rèisleck (trout in Riesling sauce),Hiecht mat Kraiderzooss (pike in green sauce) and Kriibsen (crayfish), usually prepared in a Riesling sauce. Another favourite is Fritür orFriture de la Moselle, small fried fish from the River Moselle, accompanied by a local Moselle white wine. Meat dishes include cold Éisleker Ham, literally Oesling ham, from the mountainous north of the country, first marinated for a couple of weeks and then smoked for several days. It is usually served thinly sliced with chipped potatoes and salad. Perhaps the most traditional of all Luxembourg meat dishes is Judd mat Gaardebounen, smoked collar of pork with broad beans. The pork is soaked overnight, then boiled with vegetables and spices. Served in copious slices together with the beans and boiled potatoes, it is considered to be the national dish of Luxembourg. Hong am Rèisleck, similar to the French Coq au Riesling, consists of browned chicken pieces simmered in white wine with vegetables, spices and mushrooms. Huesenziwwi or Civet de lièvre is a jugged hare dish served during the hunting season. 
• Thüringer - Sausages that taste like a spicy version of the German bratwurst. The use of the word "Thüringer" is now reserved for sausages produced in German Thuringia. Officially they are now Lëtzebuerger Grillwurscht or Luxembourg grill sausages. Gromperekichelcher - A carefully spiced potato pancake with chopped onions and parsley, then deep-fried.
• Tiirteg - Another kind of potato pancake made with sauerkraut. Rieslingspaschtéit - A popular loaf-shaped meat pie prepared with Riesling wine and aspic, usually served in slices. 
• Pâté - A spreadable paste, usually made of meat but vegetarian versions exist.
• Quetschentaart - A plum tart; it, along with peach, cherry, and pear tarts are a typical dessert and can be found in any pastry shop or restaurant.
• Miel luxembourgeois de marque nationale, type of honey from Luxembourg that is protected under EU law.
• Wine, mostly dry white wine, and sparkling wine is produced in Luxembourg, along the north bank of the Moselle, which has a winemaking history dating back to the Romans. The main brands of wine are Riesling, Pinot gris, Pinot blanc, Chardonnay, Auxerrois, Gewürztraminer,Rivaner, Elbling, Pinot noir, and Crémant de Luxembourg.  The Marque National, on the rear of every bottle of Luxembourg wine, confirms its origin and states its quality level.
• Beer, which is quite a popular drink in Luxembourg, is produced locally at three large breweries as well as in a couple of smaller establishments. Most of the beer brewed in Luxembourg is lager but there are also a number of special beers as well as beers without alcohol and Christmas beer in December.
• In most restaurants however, French cuisine is served. Italian food has been popular since the 1960s and Portuguese restaurants have started emerging from the 1970s onwards. Nowadays almost every international cuisine is represented in Luxembourg, not just concentrating in and around the capital, ranging from Asiatic, to various European, Middle Eastern and African specialty restaurants.
• The Moseley Valley white wines are highly regarded by both Luxembourgers and wine adepts in neighboring countries. Luxembourg producers make a wide variety of different wines such as Elblag, Ravager, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Riesling and cremates, a fizzy wine made using the Champagne method. These wines are mostly light white wines, apart from the red Pinot Noir.
• There are a number of breweries in the country and the most popular beers are Buffering, Diekirch, Mousel and Simon Pils.
• The legal drinking age in Luxembourg is 16 and drivers must maintain a blood alcohol level below 0.05%.

THE FAMOUS FOOD OF LUXEMBOYRG

                        

  MUSIC OF LUXEMBOURG

The music of Luxembourg is an important component of the country's cultural life.Music landscape in Luxembourg The music landscape of Luxembourg is full of possibilities. There's something for all kind of styles and capacities, jazz, rock, electro, classic, big, small.......

 

THE VIEW OF LUXEMBOURG

Jazz                        

Jazz is thriving in Luxembourg with artists such as trumpeters Ernie Hammes and gas waltzing, pianist Michel  Reis and percussionist Pascal Schumacher waltzing has gained a name as a composer of film and TV music while Schumacher has performed worldwide with his          Pasca  Schumacher quartet.

Classical music

One of the most influential and versatile musicians in Luxembourg was Laurent Menager (1835–1902). Often referred to as Luxembourg's national composer, he was also an enthusiastic choirmaster, organist and teacher. In 1857, he founded the national choral association Sang a Klang. His many compositions include choral works, church music, orchestral pieces and operettas as well as music for brass bands and the theatre.

Folk, rock, pop, protest

Luxembourg was a founding participant of the Eurovision Song Contest, having won the competition on several occasions, the last one in 1983. Luxembourg hosted the 1984 Eurovision Song Contest. The Grand Duchy's last entry was in 1993 . 
        
              HOBBIES AND SPORTS
                         

 Unlike in most countries in Europe, sports in Luxembourg are not concentrated upon a particular national sport, but encompasses a number of sports, both team and individual. Despite the lack of a central sporting focus, over 100,000 people in Luxembourg, which has a total population of only 460,000, are licensed members of one sports federation or another.

Athletics

There are many athletics clubs in Luxembourg representing most of the country's main towns. The largest club is CAL Spora Luxembourg, with a membership of 400 members. At an organisational level, the same clubs are often affiliated to both the Luxembourg Athletics Federation (FLA) and the Luxembourg Triathlon Federation, the governing bodies for athletics and triathlon, respectively.

THE CASTLE OF LUXEMBOURG

Luxembourg's sole Olympic gold medalist was an athlete. Josy Barthel won the men's 1500 metres at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. Another Luxembourgian athlete, Michel Théato, won the marathon at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, but, as his nationality was only proven to be Luxembourgian after his death, his medal is credited to France, where he lived, instead.

Cycling

Cycling is the sport in which Luxembourg has had most success at a professional level, and is one of the main participatory sports amongst the general population. The country's flat terrain lends itself to the sport, with the Tour de Luxembourg being run around the country on an annual basis as a prelude to the Tour de France.
Famous Luxembourgian cyclists of the past include Nicolas Frantz, Charly Gaul, François Faber and Benoît Joachim of whom the first three won the Tour de France (Frantz having done so twice). Altogether, Luxembourgian cyclists have won the Tour de France four times, ranking Luxembourg seventh overall. Currently, there are three Luxembourgish cyclists on the UCI ProTour, which are Kim Kirchen, Fränk Schleck, and Andy Schleck.

Tennis

Tennis is a popular sport, as it is across western Europe. There are 53 tennis clubs in the country, the oldest of which (TC Diekirch) was founded in 1902. The governing body is the Luxembourg Tennis Federation. The Fortis Championships Luxembourg are held in Luxembourg each year, and are ranked as a Tier III tournament on the WTA Tour.
Luxembourgers have had little success in professional tennis. Gilles Müller, considered the best men's player the country has ever produced,^[2] reached the quarter-finals of the 2008 U.S. Open, but has never been able to break into the world top fifty. Women's players that have reached the top fifty include Anne Kremer (18th) and Claudine Schaul (41st). The Luxembourg Davis Cup team competes in Group II. The Luxembourg Fed Cup team competes in Group I.

Football (soccer)

Football is the most popular sport in Luxembourg. The top-flight National Division is the premier domestic sports league in the country. Luxembourg was amongst the first countries in the world to be introduced to football, with the National Division being established in 1913, and the national team playing its first match in 1911.

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THE LAKE OF LUXEMBOURG

The game is more popular in the south of the country, having developed earliest in the industrial Red Lands and Luxembourg City. Only once has the National Division been won by a team not from the south of the country. Historically, Jeunesse Esch has been the most successful domestic club, having won the National Division on 27 occasions (out of a total of 93). Since 2000, the league has been dominated by F91 Dudelange, which has won the league on six of the past eight occasions.
The national team, nicknamed d'Léiwen ('The Lions'), is one of the weakest in the world, having not ranked above 150th in the world since 2002. The team achieved moderate success in the 1964 European Championship, when the side beat the Netherlands and almost progressed to the semi-finals. The most famous current Luxembourgian footballer is Jeff Strasser, who has made a successful career in the French and German leagues. Luxembourg's most famous past players include Louis Pilot and Guy Hellers, both of whom also coached the national team after ending their playing careers.

Cricket

Cricket is a minority sport in Luxembourg, played predominantly within the British expatriate community located in and around Luxembourg City; very few native Luxembourgers play the sport. The game's governing body is the Luxembourg Cricket Federation, whose primary purpose is to promote the game to the non-British population.
The dominant club is the Optimists Cricket Club, which plays in the Belgian league, which it has won on three occasions. The Optimists serve as an auxiliary governing body to the LCF, organising the small domestic Luxembourgian league. The club fields multiple subsidiary teams in the domestic league, but the focus is on the Belgian league.
The sport's domestic received a boost from the patronage of Pierre Werner, former Prime Minister of Luxembourg, who served as President of the OCC and after whom the main cricket ground in Luxembourg is named the Pierre Werner Cricket Ground in Walferdange.

Olympic Games

Luxembourg made its first appearance at the Summer Olympic Games in 1900, and the Grand Duchy has been represented as a total twenty-one Games, including every one since 1936. However, despite the country's long tradition of competing at the Summer Olympics, Luxembourg has won only two medals in all events:

AGAIN THE LAKE OF LUXEMBOURG

• Joseph Alzin won the silver medal in the 82.5 kg+ 3 events weightlifting at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp.
• Josy Barthel won the gold medal in the 1500 m at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki.

In addition, Luxembourger Michel Théato won the gold medal in the marathon at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris. However, at the time, it was assumed that Théato was French, so the medal is officially credited to France.
At the Winter Olympic Games, Luxembourg has been less active. Despite competing at the second Winter Olympics, in 1928, the country has taken part in only seven in total. They have won two medals, both by Austria-born Marc Girardelli, an eleven-time world champion alpine skier, who won silver in the Super G and Giant Slalom at the 1992 Winter Olympics.

THE CASTLE OF THE NIGHT

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