Luxembourg Heritage News

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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