Luxembourg Heritage News

September 2010

Renovation of Pont d'Adolphe Bridge in Luxembourg City Begins in January

Published on 9/23/2010 by Adam Walder

It was announced yesterday that work on a new temporary bridge next to Pont d'Adolphe will begin construction in January next year, before renovation work lasting 3 years begins on Pont d'Adolphe itself.

Renovation work on the famous “Pont Adolphe” bridge in Luxembourg City will begin in January 2011. The decision was made on Wednesday evening.

For 23 million euros next to Pont Adolphe a temporary bridge made of steel pillars will be constructed, which will carry traffic during the renovation period.

By autumn 2011, it is hoped that the first vehicles will roll across the new bridge. A noise barrier will also be erected in the Pétrusse area for residents and will be remain passable during the work.

On 18 August MP Claude Wiseler laid out detailed plans for the construction of the temporary bridge. During the renovation the Pont Adolphe will be widened by 75 cm, so that buses and the new tram can also cross.

The completion of the City's landmark is not expected before 2014, and only 2 years later when the first trams will use the bridge.

The Golden Lady "Gëlla Fra" is Coming Home to Luxembourg

By Adam Walder - 09/14/2010

After being positioned outside the Luxembourg Pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai the past few month , the Golden Lady statue will soon come home to be part of an exhibition in December.

Luxembourg's most famous landmark, The Golden Lady, that had been on a "little holiday trip to China" to visit the World Expo, returns to the Grand Duchy.

The Gëlle Fra statue is soon to return to Luxembourg after guarding the entrance of the Luxembourg pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai, China for several months.

She first makes a stop in Niederkerschen where she will be part of an exhibition in the “Hall 75” from December 10 - 24.

The cost of the entire Niederkerschen exhibition is estimated at about EUR 248,000. The Luxembourg government and the commune will each contribute a sum of EUR 100,000 €, while the remaining EUR 48,000 will be driven by private sponsorship.

After the exhibition the Golden Lady statue will be return to her look-out pillar on Place de la Constitution in Luxembourg City.

Letzebuergesch Too Pricey for EU

09/13/2010, by Jess Bauldry

Letzebuergesch could never be used as a language for EU institutions because it is too expensive. According to Prime Minister Jean Claude Juncker, the country had looked at using the national language in communications with the EU institutions.

However, he concluded that the process of translating applications in Letzebuergesch into other official languages would be too costly.

Responding to a parliamentary question from politician Fernand Kartheiser, Mr Juncker said that such a system would require "considerable resources".

In addition, Luxembourg would be expected to foot the bill of any additional costs involved with translating applications.

Presently two of the three administrative languages used in Luxembourg, French and German, are already the official languages of the European Union.

Luxembourg Cyclist Kim Kirchen Will Race Again With Help of Defibrillator

13/09/2010, by Stephen Lowe

Kim Kirchen, who suffered a heart attack at the Tour de Suisse this past June, hopes to resume his career with the aid of an implanted defibrillator.

Kirchen collapsed after stage 7 of the Tour de Suisse and was subsequently placed in a medically induced coma, spending almost three weeks in hospital. Since his release from hospital the cyclist has undertaken some light training spins.

Despite Kirchen's plans he still needs to get an all-clear to return to racing and even if this happens it seems he will have to race with a new team.

His Katusha manager Andrei Tchmil is opposed to Kirchen’s plans to return, given the seriousness of his condition in June. He said: “It’s irresponsible for someone to race now when in June he was close to death,” Tchmil said. “It’s a time bomb that could explode at any moment. I’m prepared to offer him a job on the team staff, but not as a rider.”

The 2008 Fleche Wallone winner Kirchen has consistently repeated his desire to return to the peloton next season, but Tchmil is adamant on his position and had already offered Kirchen a place on the team’s backroom staff when the pair met in July.

Iceland Express Leaves Luxembourg

After a three month test phase, Iceland Express has taken the decision to stop flights at Luxembourg Airport. Published on 08/31/2010 by Adam Walder

Only three months after starting flights from Luxembourg to Reykjavik with onward flights to New York, the low-cost airline Iceland Express is pulling the plug on Findel Airport.

Fights will now continue only from Frankfurt-Hahn airport in Germany.

The company began a test phase that started on 1 June, being one of the first low-cost carriers to attempt using Luxembourg Airport. Their weekly Luxembourg to Reykjavik flights carried about 100 passengers per flight.

Luxembourg's Findel Airport stood little chance against the cost of Hahn Airport for Iceland Express as a low-cost carrier.

The more attractive German market, the costs,and the fact that Hahn is not that far from Luxembourg were all crucial factors that played parts in the departure of the Icelandic airline from the Grand Duchy.

Mandy Minella Wins Again to Face Venus Williams

Luxembourg’s Mandy Minella is to face American tennis sensation Venus Williams in the US Open women’s singles. Published on 09/02/2010 by Jess Bauldry

Mandy Minella, who is ranked 185th, qualified for the game after beating 32nd seed Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova in straight sets on Wednesday.

The Bulgarian lost 6-4 6-0 to Minella, who is making her debut in a Grand Slam tournament.

Pironkova previously defeated Williams in two of their previous three meetings, including a straight-set win in the Wimbledon quarter finals in June.

Technical Director for the Luxembourg Tennis Federation Alexandrew Lisiecki told News352 : « Wednesday’s game was a super match for her. We’re now very impressed that she’s going to play against Venus on Friday.

"It’s more than a year since she’s proved that she has the skills to go further than her classification. She has won lots of matches in that time.

"We’re not really surprised that she’s made it this far. Though it is a new passage for her, and a new stage in her career.

"I don’t think that she’s afraid of playing against Venus Williams on Friday. She has a good dynamic and has nothing to be afraid of.

"I think she may be a little bit concerned that Venus will be playing in her own country. This can have an effect psychologically. But that’s all."

Minella emailed the federation from the US following her success on Wednesday. According to Mr Lisiecki she described her result in the world’s biggest tennis tournament as "magic".

Luxembourg has Third Lowest Unemployment in Europe 09/01/2010, by Jess Bauldry

  Luxembourg had the third lowest unemployment levels in Europe in July and almost half the European average rate. In July, EU unemployment reached 10%, as a total of 15.833 million people were registered out of work across the continent, according to a report by statisticians Eurostat.

The situation in the Grand Duchy however, appeared considerably better in contrast, with unemployment at 5.3%,  just behind the Netherlands (4.4%) and Austria (3.8%) and ahead of Malta (6.5%) and Slovenia (6.8%).

Spain and Latvia had the worst levels of unemployment in July with 20% of their respective populations out of work, a figure which is double the EU average.

They were followed by Estonia (18.6%), Lithuania (17.3%) and Slovakia (15%).

National unemployment figures have remained stable for the last year, rising from 9.6% to 10% from July 2009 to 2010. Luxembourg’s figures rose from 5.2% to 5.3% over the same period.

Estonia recorded the highest unemployment rates for women and men, with 21% and 19.8% of the population out of work respectively.

July 2010

Hero's Welcome Awaits Andy Schleck 7/27/2010, by Jess Bauldry

Cycling legend Andy Schleck will return to Luxembourg for a hero’s welcome on Thursday.

Fans will be able to meet the racer and get autographs at a special gala event in the city centre.

The younger of the two Schleck brothers, who came second in the Tour de France after a heated three-week battle with Spanish winner Alberto Contador, will form part of a cortège of cycling stars to tour Luxembourg.

The pack is to set out from avenue de la Liberté at 7.30pm on a 1.7 km tour of the city, which will take in avenue de la Gare, la rue Origer, rue Goethe, place de Metz and boulevard de la Pétrusse.

All roads will be closed to traffic from midday on Thursday, except for avenue de la Liberté, which will close from 5pm onwards.

Andy’s older brother, Frank, is expected to put in an appearance, despite a triple fracture to his shoulder, an injury gained on the third stage of the Tour.

Other cyclists expected to attend include Jempy Drucker, Laurent Didier and Ben Gastauer, from Luxembourg, and international cyclists Jakob Fuglsang, Belgians Philippe Gilbert, Maxime Monfort, Stijn Devolder and Jürgen Roelandts, Italians Alessandro Ballan and Stefano Garzelli and the German Fabian Wegmann.

Kim Kirchen may also make his first public appearance since being placed in an induced coma on June 18 after experiencing heart problems. He told press that it will depend on his children, twins born on July 8. He is thought to be making a good recovery and hopes to be back in the saddle for the 2011 Tour de France.

Upon hearing the news of Andy Schleck’s feat, Luxembourg sports minister, Roman Schneider, extended his congratulations. He wrote to the hero in an open letter: “Luxembourg is proud to count on the ranks of a champion of your class and a first choice ambassador on the international scene. No doubt the entire country will have a triumphant welcome for you on your return at Thursday’s gala. Congratulations, again and I wish you all the best for the rest of your career.”

New Luxembourg district planned

07/08/2010, by Jess Bauldry

Plans are underway to build a new district on the outskirts of Luxembourg to house the city’s growing population.

The government has proposed building the new community between Howald, la cloche d’or and Gasperich.

To provide infrastructure,  two major roads are planned to pass through the area and to serve Lycée Vauban, a business area and the city’s firefighters.

The two roads are expected to be on a similar scale to those at the Kirchberg plateau involving dual carriageways about 50 metres wide.

Altogether 70,295 million euros are expected to be invested in constructing the roads. The city and developers will cover the costs of smaller roads and bike paths.

The Minister for Sustainable Development Claude Wiseler estimates that public transport would account for 40% of trips to the new community.

Ansay & Wester Knighted by Luxembourg

              Mike Ansay and Kevin Wester of the Luxembourg American Cultural Society, based in Belgium, Wisconsin, were recently awarded knighthood in Luxembourg's Order of the Oak Crown at a special ceremony at the Luxembourg Embassy in Washington, DC.  His Excellency, Jean-Paul Senninger, Luxembourg Ambassador to the United States, presided at the ceremony on behalf of His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri.

L-R:  Kevin Wester,  Ambassador Jean-Paul Senninger, Mike Ansay

In accord with tradition, the knighthood was bestowed on Ansay and Wester on June 23, Luxembourg's National Holiday, which celebrates Luxembourg's independence as well as the birthday of Luxembourg's Grand Duke.

              The Order of the Oak Crown was instituted by grand ducal decree in 1841 by William II, Grand Duke of Luxembourg.  The Order rewards outstanding civil and military services in the areas of economic, social, cultural or sports sectors.  The award is normally presented to Luxembourg citizens but, in special circumstances, it can be awarded to foreign nationals as in the case of Ansay and Wester.  The Grand Duke awards the Order upon the recommendation and with the counter signature of the Minister of State, president of the government.

              In the ceremony on June 23, Ambassador Senninger stated that the Grand Duke was bestowing the Order of the Oak Crown upon Ansay & Wester for their outstanding work in preserving and promoting Luxembourg - American relations and, in particular, for their leadership in the building of the Luxembourg American Cultural Center.

              Both Ansay and Wester were raised in Belgium, Wisconsin.  All of their ancestors were 19th century immigrants from Luxembourg to Ozaukee County.  Ansay, who resides in Grafton, Wisconsin, is the President and CEO of Ansay & Associates in Port Washington and a board member of the Luxembourg American Cultural Society.  Wester, who resides in Port Washington, is the Executive Director of the Luxembourg American Cultural Society.

              Attendees at the knighting ceremony included Consul Mario Wiesen of Luxembourg, Louise Akerblom, the wife of Ambassador Senninger, along with members of the Ansay and Wester families.

Investors Have Diekirch Brewery Over a Barrel

7/01/2010, by Jess Bauldry

Diekirch Brewery is to stay in Diekirch but it must move its premises to respond to falling demand.

The news comes after the beleaguered Mousel Diekirch brewery, which is owned by Belgian firm Inbev, agreed a lease back deal with private investors Saphir Capital Partners who recently bought the current site.

It ensures that the historic Mousel Diekirch brewery brand, which was founded in 1871, will live on however, at a cost of 20 jobs and considerable upheaval.

Fears for site

The future of the troubled Diekirch brewery hung in the balance last January when it was announced that it would move all operations to Belgium as part of a centralization of all services. The proposed move was in reaction to a decline in sales. From 2003 to 2008, the market fell by 8% with local beer sales dropping 17%.

An agreement reached with Saphir Capital Partners in recent months means that operations can continue in Luxembourg, however at a different, smaller site in Diekirch, which has yet to be confirmed. The current site is to be developed into housing.

Transport and linguistic operations are to be outsourced to another agency. The changes will result in the loss of 20 jobs in logistics, finance and customer services.

Inbev said it is working to find these employees jobs elsewhere in the company.

Long term plans

Saphir spokesperson John Penning said that a new brewery site was expected to be finalized within 3 to 7 years. Once operations have been moved, he said that work would begin to develop the old site, a former sugar refinery which has listed status, into housing. He underlined the fact that any development would respect the site’s heritage.

Diekirch marketing director Ben Verhaert said about the move : "The principle is that Diekirch will remain in Diekirch. The trouble is that we need a site that is better suited to our capacity.

Consumers are not only drinking less but their habits are changing. They are drinking in different places and at different times. These changes in consumer habits represent a challenge as well as opportunities for us. We believe that this change will give the brand new momentum."

New Brand

As well as the site changes, the brewery announced a new brand logo, featuring the colour blue in homage to Diekirch and restating the Luxembourg heritage.

Diekirch brewery press conference from left: Ben Verhaert (Diekirch), Jens Hoffman (Diekirch), John Penning  (Saphir Capital) and Knut Reihertz (Saphir Capital)

Photos by Steve Eastwood

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