Luxembourg Heritage News

March 2010

Hope For Diekirch's Luxembourgish Tradition?

03/18/2010

Is there still reason for hope when it comes to saving the traditional brewery Diekirch?

The "Brasserie de Luxembourg Mousel Diekirch SA" announced on Wednesday in a press release that the location of the Luxembourgish brewery will be purchased by a group of private investors. The jobs previously threatened thereby remain largely untouched. Who exactly is behind this "Luxembourg group of private investors” remains a secret for now, because the investors want to stay anonymous until the completion of a definitive agreement. The buying group does, however want to take over control of the land and buildings.

In the coming weeks, both parties will continue their discussion with the goal being a final agreement allowing the traditional brewery, which brands Diekirch and Mousel, to continue to produce beer in Luxembourg. This is a remarkable turn around to the planned closure of the brewery in Diekirch. 

The Luxembourg nation is grateful.

Luxembourg School Reforms Make English Compulsory
03/09/2010, by Adam Walder

 On Monday, Education Minister Mady Delvaux-Stehres announced the reforms in upper secondary education. Main changes: Several choices have now been removed. In addition, students must now choose their first language between French and German.

Currently there are seven choices in the classic secondary education. After the reform there will remain only two: one section, "Languages and Human Sciences" as well as a section "Science and Mathematics." Both sections spread over three years from 3rd to 1st .

Within these two sections the students have some flexibility: You can opt for certain courses, which are then available in the "Premières examen" on the program. In both sections, however, English has now become a compulsory subject.

"The English language is part of the professional world and is becoming increasingly important," explained Mady Delvaux-Stehres in regards to the changes. The Minister of Education also demands that students in the "Premières examen" will only be tested in six subjects.

With the language reforms in school, we could well see the linguistic make-up of Luxembourg change over the years with the choice of teaching language of French or German, and the importance of English has been moved up a notch in Luxembourg's priorities

Luxembourgers No Longer Marry Young
03/05/2010, by Adam Walder

It appears that the era of marrying young is over. Even in Luxembourg, couples are more likely to wait before taking the plunge and exchange rings. According to a study published yesterday by Statec, couples seem to be waiting until the age of a little over 30 on average to get married.

If women are far more numerous than men in Luxembourg, their mentality and their lives have changed considerably in 10 years.

The approach of the International Women's Day on 8th March means that Statec has unveiled some facts and figures on women's place in Luxembourg society for 2008.

More numerous than their male counterparts (102 women per 100 men), women are pushing further and further the day and year of their marriage It seems the call of the big wedding day and the beautiful white dress has less of an effect on young women as in the past.  According to Statec, the average marriage age was 30.2 years in 2008. This is a substantial change, from the same report 10 years ago. In 1994 the average age was 26.9 years.

Men have also proved to be more cautious in their approach to weddings. They averaged 35.5 years old, while they got married as young as 29 on average in 1994.

If Luxembourgers are marrying later, they're also divorcing they also later at ages 41.4 for women and 44.3 for men.

On employment and wages, women are still not in the same category as men even in the Grand Duchy. However the difference between the rate of female and male employment has decreased slightly from 25% to only 16% in eight years.

The result shows that in the private sector female employees are paid a lower hourly wage by 15% compared to their male colleagues. One good point however is that this result is better than the European average of 21%.

February 2010

An Iceberg the Size of Luxembourg Floats the Antartic Published on 02/26/2010 

An iceberg the size of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has detached from a glacier in Antarctica and is drifting in the ocean, scientist officials said Friday.

90 kilometres long and 30 kilometres wide, an area of 2,500 m2. That's the size of a huge drifting glacier in the Antartic that can be compared almost exactly in size to the Grand Duchy.

The block of ice, has a surface area of 2,500 km2, while Luxembourg has an exact area of 2.586m2, and actually began to break off two weeks ago after the impact of another iceberg, stated glaciologist Neal Young.

The giant iceberg could either continue to drift in the Antarctic Ocean or migrate northward and gradually melt.

Perhaps it should be named "Luxicebourg"!

Luxembourg City: A City of 156 Nationalities 02/24/2010, by Adam Walder

This is no doubt that Luxembourg City, the capital of Luxembourg, is an extremely cosmopolitan city. According to its mayor, Luxembourg City has no fewer than 156 different nationalities. In total, foreign residents are even more in number than native Luxembourgers.

91,857 --- this is the population figure released this morning, that has been doing the rounds, and a figure that Luxembourg's mayor Paul Helminger, is particularly proud of.

This is the figure for the number of inhabitants in the capital in late 2009. A great leap forward, since the population was 89,907 in late 2008. "12,000 arrivals a year, it's huge!" Exclaimed the delighted mayor. To this figure the internal migration must also be added to the City. 7,000 people have simply changed neighborhoods.

"Luxembourg is a highly mobile city" continues Paul Helminger, which highlights the fact that in 2009 there were more births than deaths (1,099 against 635).

Many Portuguese and French

The most striking information released is the percentage of foreign residents: over 64% of the total population is of foreign nationality. Among the most represented countries are the obvious ones with 13,990 Portuguese and 12,536 French. They are mainly located in Bonnevoie or Kirchberg.

The residents of Luxembourg nationality however are much less likely to live in the capital: they represent only 35% of the total population. "We have noticed, even since 2007, that the population figure of Luxembourg nationality has increased slightly” stated Paul Helminger.

The voting problem

A big dilemma is noticed when you look at the number of residents of Luxembourg City registered to vote. There are 223 non-Luxembourgish voters less than in 2008. "This is probably due to migration movements" the mayor said adding "but an effort must be made. I can not imagine running a city with more than 60% foreigners, and they can not vote! "

390,000 Luxembourgish Speakers in the World 25/02/2010, by Adam Walder

No fewer than 390,000 people speak Luxembourgish in the world according to the Atlas of Endangered Languages published yesterday by UNESCO. This is 90,000 more than originally estimated by the organization.

UNESCO has quietly updated its review. A year ago, in the Atlas of Endangered Languages in the world, it had only 300,000 Luxembourgish speakers, a figure that was just revised upwards. The organization now states that 390,000 people speak Luxembourgish. An estimate is almost equivalent to the figures advanced by the Department of Linguistics and Literature Luxembourg.

For UNESCO, the Luxembourg language remains "vulnerable". Nothing very alarming. It simply means that for the moment the language is not in danger, but if no effort is made to continue to promote the Luxembourg may well begin to subside.

Luxembourg Sociologist, Fernand Fehlen is not at all worried. According to him, through sms and internet, Luxembourgish is seeing a complete rejuvenation.

'Working in Luxembourg', Third Edition Released

February 9, 2010 - The third edition of the business guide 'Working in Luxembourg' has just been released by The American Chamber of Commerce of Luxembourg (AMCHAM).

The American Chamber of Commerce is launching the third edition of its business guide “Working in Luxembourg”, which provides an overview of the rules, practices and customs of the Luxembourg business environment as well as the cultural context of the workplace environment, the government and social support systems. A team of more than 20 experts from AMCHAM’s member companies have updated and expanded the content of the publication, thus making it the most comprehensive guide available on the Grand Duchy as a business location.
 
The book's purpose is to facilitate the establishment of new business in Luxembourg and the intended users are government officials (both U.S. and Luxembourg) involved in trade, business and investment issues as well as business people or individuals already located in Luxembourg or considering Luxembourg as a business location for European activities. The subjects covered range from work permits to maternity leave, business licenses to tax withholding, educational resources to private clubs to relocation companies, thus offering a wealth of information for HR managers working in the Luxembourg market. This book has been researched and published as a public service to promote investment in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and to help Luxembourg-based expatriate companies.

The two previous editions of the publication have been enormously successful, most notably due to the way in which the information is presented - in a simplified, non-legal manner - and as it also includes reference materials and contact information.
 
The third edition has found strong support from key players in the Grand Duchy such as the Ministry of Economy, the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, the City of Esch-sur-Alzette as well as the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. It will be distributed at the various international trade missions the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and several Ministries are intending to make over the next few years and will also be found at all Luxembourg Embassies around the world in order to support the promotion of the Grand Duchy.

The publication is available at the AMCHAM offices at
6, rue Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
L-1432 Luxembourg-Kirchberg ?
or at select bookstores in Luxembourg. For more information including prices, please contact AMCHAM Luxembourg at (+352) 43 17 56 or email:  info@amcham.lu.

US Ambassador To Luxembourg Arrives

February 8, 2010 - The official welcome reception for Cynthia Stroum, the new US Ambassador to Luxembourg, took place today at the US Embassy.

Ambassador Stroum with Minister of Cultural Octavie Modert

Tuesday, February 8th, saw the official welcoming of the new US Ambassador to Luxembourg, Cynthia Stroum. The Ambassador welcomed her guests, including Mayor Paul Helminger, members of European Institutions and the press, to her residence and after initial greetings and salutations, delivered her speech: “As I begin my time in Luxembourg as President Obama's personal representative and Ambassador to the Grand Duchy, I feel both humbled by the great honor to serve the President of the United States and energized by the opportunity to work and live in such a lovely country as Luxembourg.”

The Ambassador addressed the need to build on the bi-lateral relationship shared between the US and Luxembourg stressing the need to continue as reliable allies. Mrs. Stroum spoke on the need to support the American business community and being interested in the steps taken in Luxembourg in the realms of bio-tech and other cutting-edge industries. Education and culture were key factors and Mrs. Stroum mentioned her meetings with University of Luxembourg Rector Rolf Tarrach and how touched she had been by the response to the Haiti aid efforts.

“As President Obama's representative here in the Grand Duchy, it is my role to explain and defend the policies of the United States. Having a partner such as I do in the Government of Luxembourg, makes my job easier..... While the shared history of our two countries is an important foundation upon which our friendship is built, today is a day to look to the future! There is much we can do together and I look forward to getting started.”

Andy Schleck Out With Knee Injury  

February 8, 2010, by Adam Walder, News 352 

The Majorcan adventure was cut short for Luxembourg cyclist Andy Schleck. Having come in second in the Tour de France for 2009, he has abandoned the Vuelta a Mallorca, suffering from tendon problems in his knee.

Franck Schleck, Andy's older brother, will continue without his younger brother. Andy, who was preparing to make his return to the Mallorca Challenge, returned yesterday evening to Luxembourg.

A sore right knee is worrying for the Team Saxo Bank cyclist and he is therefore taking the utmost caution.

This means that, the winner of Liege-Bastogne-Liege and second position in the Tour de France is forced to take five days of rest.

It won't be until 21 February at the “Ruta del Sol” that we will see Andy Schleck cycle again.

January 2010

NewWebsite For Luxembourg's National Library

On Tuesday, Luxembourg's National Library (BNL) and the Minister for Culture, Octavie Modert launched the library's new website that aims to broaden its online service and make the public aware of the library's resources.

The National Library and the Minister for Culture, Octavie Modert present the library's new website and the Minister insisted on the importance of online services for the library since it holds a huge number of very diverse works. She added that the interest large companies were taking in the library should prove to everyone its priceless value.

The aim of the new website is to increase the visibility of its collections and services, offer more information on these collections and services, offer a more flexible website in oreder to present information in a more structured way.

The website was developed to meet the needs of regular library users, members who were recently registered as well as library newcomers.

Have a look at the website: www.bnl.lu

Luxembourg Sends Help To Haiti

January 14, 2010 - Luxembourg's Red Cross and CARE Luxembourg responded quickly to the earthquake disaster in Haiti where it is now estimated over 100,000 people have been killed. 

What Laws Will Change In 2010?

The Luxembourgish government has issued a list of the main legal changes that will affect residents of the Grand-Duchy in 2010.

A series of changes will occur in 2010 as regards the laws applied in Luxembourg from 2010.

From January 2010, certain changes will affect the refund of foreign VAT for residents who shop abroad. From now on, Luxembourguish residents who wish to benefit from VAT refunds must submit their demand online through the “VAT refund” portal. The administration then sends the request to the member state from which the refund is requested and notifies the resdidents of the positive or negative response within 4 months. For more information, please visit www.aed.public.lu/.

The customs duty for petrol will also increase for 2010, the tax will increase by 8 euros for 1,000 litres to 310 euros for 1,000 litres. The tax is also set to increase to 330 euros for 1,000 litres in 2012.

From 1st of February 2010, the tax on fine cut tobacco will increase from 37% to 38.5%, this rate should reach 40% by 2011.

The ecological bonuses, Car-e and Car-e Plus that promote the purchase of low CO2 emitting vehicules are extended until July 2010. The car-e bonus will be increased to 1.500 euros for car that emit less than 100mg of CO2/km. The Cool bonus that promotes low consuming freezers or fridges (A++) is also extended for a year.

In 2010, the energy pass also becomes compulsory for existing dwellings that change owner, tenant or accomodation that undergoes substantial installation transformation. For more information please visit www.myenergy.lu/.

As regards driving licences and the highway code, changes have also been enforced since the 1st of January. Drivers' licences (for the A, A1, A3, B, B + E and F categories) are now valid until 60 years old, they used to only be valid until the driver was 50 years old. For candidates to the licence, the minimal amount of theory hours has increased to 12 hours and the theoretical exam has changed.

As of the 30th of December 2009, owners of 2 wheelers, tractors, certain types of machinery and old vehicles must have a document certifying that their vehicle complies to the norm.

From the beginning of the year, all dogs have to be identified electronically. All dog owners should equip their animals with micro-chips that bear an identification number.

The price of water also rises from the 1st of January 2010.

Luxembourg's Window On Dubai

From the new Burj Khalif, now the world's tallest building, visitors can admire almost all of Dubai through Luxembourgish glass.

One of the world's smallest countries contributed to erecting one of the world's tallest towers. The Burj Khalif in Dubai, 160 floors and 828 metres high was built using 150,000 square metres of Luxembourguish glass.

The tower was inaugurated with a spectacular ceremony on Monday and the Luxembourg company, Guardian Luxguard 1 SA based in Bascharage can be proud. The company conducted the feasibility studies for the project, produced and exported not less than 150,000 square meters of double glazing for the Burj Khalifa.

A group of 20 employees had been working on this project in Luxembourg since 2003.

More Than 92,000 Inhabitants for Luxembourg City in 2010

Jan 5, 2010 -  At the traditional New Year's reception yesterday, the mayor of Luxembourg City, Paul Helminger stated that Luxembourg City is poised to exceed 92,000 inhabitants.

Motivating some 3700 municipal employees, Paul Helminger praised the efforts of 2009 and hoped that 2010 remains a year "dynamic" between investment and rigor.

A proactive fiscal policy is needed, he said, that combines perfectly to the development of Luxembourg city. 1220  more people are due to move into the capital and will raise the figures to  92,000 inhabitants in all. As proof, the mayor claims to have signed more than 1,000 permits for building contracts. Unheard of before, he said.

These figures mean that during the course of 2010, the 92,000 inhabitants mark is likely to be  broken.

Wester Named LACS Executive Director

The Luxembourg American Cultural Society is pleased to announce that Kevin Wester, Director of Development, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Society effective January 1, 2010. He replaces Ms. Diane Plantenberg whose retirement as CEO will be effective December 31, 2009. Ms. Plantenberg will return to her previous full-time employment as a consultant with Simons Planteberg Consulting, LLC.
 
Ms. Plantenberg’s accomplishments during her 24 month tenure as CEO were numerous. She reorganized the governance structure of the Society, was instrumental in working with the General Contractor in overseeing the construction of the Society’s $1.3 million Museum and Cultural Center and organized the dedication weekend. Her leadership skills will be missed. The Society wishes her continued success as she returns to the private sector.
 
Mr. Wester has been the Society’s longest tenured employee and before that, the person most responsible for keeping the flame alive. A native of Belgium, WI, he is 45 years of age and has traveled  to Luxembourg  11 times.  Kevin oversaw the Society's $1.3 million capital campaign and the growth of the Society from 21 charter members to over 850 members. His private collection of Luxembourg related pictures, books and artifacts have formed the core of the Society’s collection. The Board of Directors have the utmost faith in Kevin’s ability to foster the flame which burns brightly in the hearts of all of those who have contributed to the success of the Society.