American
Women's Club of Luxembourg
|
|
This page highlight some of the
major holidays, events and attractions taking place in
Luxembourg this winterl.
These listings are by
no means exhaustive. For more details
and other events not listed here, please consult the sources listed below.
David Heal has often contributed to the AWCL Grapevine with his informative articles. He has written and published over 400 articles on Luxembourg and its history in local newspapers and magazines. He is available to lead organized tours in Luxembourg and the surrounding countries. Please visit his website for further information: http://www.luxembourg-battles.lu/index.html
|
Living
In Luxembourg
(15th ed.),
published by
the AWCL. On sale
at the AWCL clubhouse,
Alinea,
Chapter 1,
Gallery of America, |
Luxembourg
City Tourist Office
|
|
Agenda
du Luxembourg
. |
Luxembourg
National Tourist Office
. |
|
352
Magazine.
|
The
Station Network
. |
March 2--Bretzels Sonndeg. This Luxembourg tradition falls on the fourth Sunday after Carnival, when a man gives a "Bretzel" (a large, sweet, pretzel-shaped pastry) to the lady of his heart. If she returns his affection, she offers him an egg on Easter Sunday. This year is leap year (29 days in February)—so, the roles are reversed.
March 8--International Women’s Day. Begun in 1909 in the United States, International Women’s Day is now observed around the world and in Luxembourg. This date is commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. The Internet has several informative sites about this day.
March 9--Daylight Saving Time (US & Canada only). The second Sunday in March marks the beginning of Daylight Saving Time in North America when they turn their clocks forward one hour. Note that it starts two weeks earlier than in Europe (see March 30, below). Keep that in mind when calling home.
March 22--Grand Duchess Maria-Teresa’s Birthday. Vill Gleck fir de Gebuertsdag!
March 30—Summer Time (EU). The last Sunday in March is the beginning of Summer Time (known as "Daylight Saving Time" in North America). Don’t forget to turn your clocks forward one hour on Saturday night before you retire. Note that Daylight Saving in the US and Canada begins two weeks earlier (see March 9, above). For everything you ever wanted to know about this tradition, see: http://webexhibits.org/daylightsaving
Easter
March 20--Holy Thursday (Grengen Donneschdeg). On the Thursday before Easter, the church bells stop ringing for three days. According to local legend, the bells have flown to Rome for confession and to be blessed. During this period, children march through the streets and rattle wooden instruments called Klibberen to take the place of the absentee church bells. (you can find these wooden instruments in toy stores, including the one in Cactus.) On Easter Sunday, they go from door to door to ask for Easter eggs and money as a reward.
March 21--Good Friday. The Friday before Easter, this is the high point of Lent. No meat is eaten on this day and church services are observed. Note that Good Friday is a public holiday throughout Germany. Stores will be closed, but restaurants may be open.
March 23--Easter Sunday. On Easter Sunday, families partake in a large feast. Easter egg hunts are also popular for the children.
March 24--Easter Monday (public holiday) -- E'maischen. The day after Easter is a public holiday and celebrated with a unique fair at the Fish Market (Marché aux Poissons), located behind the Grand Ducal Palace. Arrive early to beat the crowds! You can find the small handmade bird-shaped whistles called Peckvillercher. Made from clay in various colors and shapes, different ones are featured each year and have become collector’s items. Look for ones with a date on the bottom. The market also features other arts and crafts as well as food and drinks.