by Linda Trees Minor
Konscht am Gronn 2009
Once a month from April through October, painters, photographers and sculptors display their art for sale in the Grund. R efre shme nt stands a re set up, as well. For specific dates, go to www.Agendalux.lu.
Tickets on Sale: International Music Festival, Echternach (May 7-December 31)
Tickets are on sale now for
Luxembourg's famous classical & jazz music festival which begins next month. Every year since 1975, Echternach has hosted the International Music Festival, which was founded by world renown pianist and artistic
dire ctor, Cyprien Katsaris. More information at www.echternach.lu or www.echternachfestival.lu (Eng, Fr, Ger). Tickets can be purchased on-line or by telephone.
June 21 -- September 12 -- "Summer in the City"
Every summer, the Luxembourg City Tourist Office sponsors a three-month program of cultural events, inc luding concer ts, theater, cinema, dance, a rt, markets and more (some noted he re). Eve ry night ther e is live music on Place d’Armes. On June 21, they will ha ve the Opening Act with a concert on Place Guillaume entitled "Knuedler goes classic rock", performed by theLuxembourg Philharmonic Orchestra.
Contact the Luxembourg City Tourist Office for a brochure or download a copy from their web site (alternatively, Luxembourg City Office).
June 22-23 -- National Day Eve and National Day (Public Holiday)
The Fête Nationale festivities begin the day before (Veille de la Fête Nationale) with the changing of the guard in front of the Grand Ducal Palace (4:00 p.m.), a torch-lit parade through the center of town (10:00 p.m.) and fireworks (11:00 p.m.), which c an be viewed from the Petrusse Valley.
Rock, pop and folklore concerts, as well as dj’s, will liven up the streets, bars and cafés until dawn. On National Day itself, the day begins with a military parade (9:00 a.m.), beginning on the Avenue de la Liberté, followed by a Te Deum service at the Notre Dame cathedral (for the royal family, government officials and special guests only). After the Te Deum, a 101-gun salute is fired outside the cathedral.
Celebrations open to the public take place afterward on Place d’Armes, in the Petrusse Valley, the Grund and other towns.
For specific times and locations, please contact the Luxembourg City Tourist Office, www.vdl.lu or l’Agenda du Luxembourg.
Now until December 31— International Music Festival, Echternach
This famous classical & jazz festival, dating back to 1975, began in May and continues throughout 2009. This year ’s program includes American jazz great George Benson.
For more details, contact the Echternach tourist office or their web sites at
www.echternach.lu or www.echternachfestival.lu. Tickets can be purchased on-line or by telephone.
June 27 - July 11--Summer Sales
The state-regulated summer sales take place the fir st two weeks of July,
with store s open on Sunday, June 28, from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. Discounts can be significant, but arrive ea rly for
the best selection. Because these sales take place only twice a year (the other one at the beginning of January),
shoppers descend upon the stores in bargain-seeking madness.
July 5 – Rock um Knuedler
Every year since 1991, this f ree open-air rock fe stiva l takes place on the Knuedler (Place Guillaume), featur ing both local and foreign bands playing on two stages. This year will feature bands such as Simple Minds and others. For details, go to www.rockumknuelder.lu.
July 4 -- Independence Day (US)
Consult the AWCL, 352 Magazine or U.S. Embassy for local celebrations that may take place.
July 10-August 15--Summer Follies: Cinéma en plein air
Dur ing the summer, the Cinémathèque de la Ville de Luxembourg, 17, place du Théâtre, shows open-air films, free of charge, at the nearby Cour des Capucins.
The Cinémathèque houses more than 13,000 films from all periods and genres, including rare films, making it one of the most important cinematic archives in Europe. Great for film enthusiasts any time of year.
For complete schedule, see www.cinema.lu or www.vdl.lu.
July 15-August 31--Guided Tours of the Grand Ducal Palace.
For a limited time each summer, the Grand
Ducal Palace opens its doors to visitors. Guided tours a re offered every day (except Wednesday) in English,
French, German, Dutch and Luxembourgish. Contact the Luxembourg City Tourist Office for the schedule.
Reservations can be made beginning of JUNE a t 47.96.27.09 or 22.28.09.
July 18—Blues'n Jazz Rallye.
Another annual favorite of the Summer in the City program. The entire city center becomes an outdoor stage for approximately 60 jazz and blues bands. Food and drink stands are set up along the way. Concerts will play on Place d’Armes from 12:00 noon to midnight. Concerts in the Grund and Clausen will play from 7:30 p.m. until 3:00 a.m.
More details at www.bluesjazzrallye.lu.
July 30 – Gala Tour de France
The 96th Tour de France begins on July 4 with the Grand depart in Monaco, making stops through Spain and Switzerland, and ending in Par is on July 26. Afterward, Luxembourg will host a Gala on Place Guillaume and in the upper town, including a parade of international cyclists and other entertainment.
Contact the Luxembourg City Tourist Office or Summer in the City program for details.
July 31-August 1--Kanner (Children) in the City Play Fest
For two days, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., Luxembourg turns its city center into a huge playground. They organize activities and games for children on Place d’Armes, Place Guillaume and other central sites. This year’s theme is "Luxembourg Beach".
Confirm time and other details with the Luxembourg City Tourist Office or Summer in the City program.
Anno Domini 1409 (Medieval Festival)
Every summer, normally on the last weekend of July or the first weekend of August, Luxembourg City hosts the Medieval Festival on the Marché-aux-Poissons behind the Grand Ducal Palace and surrounding streets.
The festival provides a live presentation of the middle ages, with
the sights and sounds of market life, troubadours, dueling knights and wandering musicians. See www.csmlux.lu for updated information on the dates.
August 1-9 – Medieval Festival, Château de Vianden
Similar to Anno Domini (above), but longer and with additional special events. The castle is open every day from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
La Taverne restaurant will
serve authentic meals, and various activities and entertainment are provided for children. On the weekend of
August 8-9, merchants and artisans will set up stands along the street selling genuine medieval arts and crafts.
There usually is a fireworks display, as well. Further details: www.castle-vianden.lu.
August 8 – Street A(rt)nimation.
Another annual highlight of the Summer in the City program, this festival
features all forms of street entertainment, including mimes, clowns, acrobats, stilt-walkers, strolling musicians
and colorful, fantastic creatures. The program takes place in the pedestrian zone of the city center, from
morning until night. More details in the Summer in the City program.
August 15 -- Assumption Day (Public Holiday)
Stores and services will be closed this day. Assumption is also a public holiday in Belgium and France, but not in the nearby regions of Germany.
August 21-September 9 – Schueberfouer
This annual fa ir on the Gla cis in Limpertsberg runs for nearly three weeks, ending with a fireworks display around 10:00 p.m. on the final day. Originally founded in 1340 by John the Blind as a trade fair, Schueberfouer (which litera lly means "shepherd’s fair" ) now features the typical modern attractions of fair rides, food and souvenir stands. The only reminder of the past is the opening ceremony fea turing a parade of sheep accompanied by the mayor and a brass band playing the Hämmelsmarsch (sheep’s march). Among the popular traditional foods are the fried fish and Grompererkichelcher (potato pancakes). On most days, the fair opens in the early afternoon and runs until 1:00 a.m.
Each Friday and Saturday is a nuit blanche when the fair remains open until 3:00 a.m. On Family Day (normally the middle Wednesday), fair prices are reduced. Prices also are reduced on the final afternoon of the fair. There are other specia l days, as well. For complete schedule, see the fair’s website.
August 30—Sunday shopping, Luxembourg City.
A monthly schedule for other Sunday shopping days and sidewalk sales in Luxembourg City can be found at www.cityshopping.lu.
August 31 – Braderie (sidewalk sale), Luxembourg City.
Stores in Luxembourg City will hold sidewalk sales on this Monday. Arrive early for the best selections! Although not strictly a public holiday, many businesses (in Luxembourg City only) will be closed.
September 12—Closing Party, Summer in the City
The Luxembourg-sponsored Summer in the City program
officially ends on September 12 with a full day of concerts on the Place d’Armes, ranging in various styles.
Contact the Luxembourg City Tourist Office or the Summer in the City program to see if these events are in the calendar this year.
History in the City
This event normally takes place in the Grund each summer in which reenactors reconstruct a significant period in Luxembourg City history.
Meluxina—Open-Air Spectacle
In prior years, normally in September, Luxembourg City organized this nighttime open-air spectacle between the Bock promontory and the Alzette River. Water and laser light effects, combined with giant images and a musical composition relate the famous Luxembourg legend of the water nymph Melusina. www.meluxina.lu.
15th Edition All the information you need to live in Luxembourg
On sale at the AWCL clubhouse, Alinea, Chapter 1, Gallery of America, Librairie Ernster, Little Britain.
30, place Guillaume
Tel: 22 28 09 / 22 75 65
touristinfo@lcto.lu
www.lcto.lu
Place de la Gare (inside train station)
Tel: 42 82 82-1
www.ont.lu
www.luxembourg.co.uk
On-line English-language news.
www.station.lu
Free monthly publication of events in Luxembourg
(French only).
Available on-line or by subscription.
Tel:42 82 82-1
www.agendalux.lu
Weekly English-language magazine.
Tel:26 29 99 80
www.352news.lu
Free monthly cultural magazine of
Luxembourg City. Eng/Fr/Ger.
Subscribe on-line