Traditiounen a Fester

Despite its small size, Luxembourg has many old traditions that have stayed alive to this day. Some of them go back to the Middle Ages, others to religious feast days. For many Luxembourgers these festivals are an important part of their identity, because they bring people together and give the seasons a rhythm.

In winter, on the first Sunday of Lent, the Buergbrennen is celebrated all over the country. In the villages people build a large 'castle' out of wood and straw, which is then set alight in the evening. The flames, which climb high into the sky, are meant to drive away winter and welcome spring. Around the fire people drink mulled wine and eat a grilled sausage.

On Easter Monday the Éimaischen takes place in Luxembourg City and in Nospelt, a market with a long tradition. There young and old buy the Péckvillercher, which are little clay birds you can whistle with. Nospelt used to be known for its craftsmen who worked with clay, and that is why this custom has its roots precisely there. For many children the highlight is picking out a new whistling bird.

National Day is celebrated every year on 23 June, although the Grand Duke does not really have his birthday on that day. Already the evening before, something is going on all over the country: there are big fireworks, and people go into town together to celebrate. On the day itself there is a Te Deum in the cathedral and a military parade. Everywhere you see the national flag and the colours red, white and blue.

The best-known festival, though, is probably the Schueberfouer, a big funfair that always begins at the end of August and lasts three weeks. It was founded as far back as the 14th century by John the Blind and is today the largest popular festival in the country. Besides the many attractions and merry-go-rounds, you must on no account miss the potato fritters and the fried fish. Every year the fair attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors.