Festivals & Traditions

FESTIVALS & TRADITIONS--OVERVIEW

FEBRUARY

In February, we enter the seasons for Carnival, Lent and other Catholic holidays that fall in the wake of Advent and Christmas and are connected to the “moveable feast” of Easter. The following are the holidays linked to the Carnival season in and around Luxembourg. Follow the links for specific events taking place this year.

Candlemas Day (Liichtmesdag)

2 February

Candlemas always falls on February 2, and as its name suggests, refers to a Catholic mass in which candles are used in the ceremony.  In Luxembourg, the holiday is called Liichtmesdag, and also means “Day of the Light Mass." The day is not a public holiday but is celebrated at church and also by the children. In the Catholic tradition, Candlemas marks the 40th day after Christmas when the Virgin Mary first returned to the Temple after the birth of Jesus too present the baby to the priests. In the secular tradition, it marks the midway point of the winter and spring equinox. In Luxembourg, they have blended elements of both the Catholic and pagan traditions, although that the Catholic side of it has more to do with St. Blasius (whose feast day is February 3, below) than with baby Jesus. Nevertheless, both holidays involve the use of lighted candles. In Luxembourg, Liichtmesdag marks the beginning of the Carnival season.

On Liichtmesdag, the children go from door to door in the late afternoon or early evening with lighted candles or lanterns (called Lichtebengelchen), singing a traditional song (Léiwer Hergottsblieschen) to beg for treats. The custom is called liichten (lighting), and you may see signs in your neighborhood saying “Mir gi liichten,” (We are going “lighting”), to remind you to drive slowly for the safety of the promenading children.

In the song (translated here), the children ask for peas and bacon in exchange for good health in the coming year. It is said that the tradition may have grown out of a need for sustenance in a time of the season when food stores began to diminish.  In old times, the children took the food donations home to make a hearty soup, which they ate with pancakes. These days, the children are hoping instead that you will give them candy or small bits of change (however, they still may go home to eat pancakes for supper). So, have some on hand in case a group comes to your door on Saturday evening.

Lichtebengelchen (lanterns) can be purchased in the toy or costume section of supermarkets (e.g., Cactus, Auchan, Cora) and at toy stores (e.g., Maxi Toys).Some shopping centers organize their own lantern-making workshop and promenade for the children. Check their websites for details.

For Candlemas events this year, click here.

St. Blasius Day

3 February

The Catholic feast day of St. Blasius (or St. Blaise) always falls on February 3, and in Luxembourg, it is intertwined with Candlemas (above). On this day, children and adults go to church to receive a throat blessing from the priest to protect them from throat and other seasonal illnesses. In the ceremony, two candles are blessed and held in the form of a cross. The priest places the cross on the neck, saying the prayer, “Per intercessionem S. Blasii liberet te Deus a malo gutteris et a quovis alio malo,” which translates as “May God at the intercession of St. Blasius preserve you from throat troubles and every other evil.”

St. Blasius was originally a physician in the third century A.D. and later became bishop of Sebaste in historical Armenia (now part of Turkey). He is one of the “Fourteen Holy Helpers,” i.e., saints who are called upon to intercede in cases of disease and illness. St. Blasius is normally called upon to intercede in cases of throat illnesses (especially for fish bones caught in the throat). According to legend, he healed a child in danger of choking on a fish bone shortly before he (St. Blasius) was executed for his Christian beliefs in 316 A.D. It is believed that St. Blasius Day has overlapped with Candlemas in countries like Luxembourg because both ceremonies involve the use of lighted candles.

Carnival, Ash Wednesday and Lent

Fuesent, Aschermëttwoch and Faaschtenzäit

February-March

Introduction

Most people know what Carnival is, but if you need a primer,. . . .

The dates of Carnival, Ash Wednesday and Lent vary from year to year, as they are linked to the “moveable feast” of Easter.

Carnival is a festive season worldwide in areas with a large Catholic population, mainly during February (although sometimes creeping into March).  It typically involves a public celebration and parade combining elements of a circus and masquerade party. It occurs immediately before Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of Lent—a 40-day period before Easter, during which people may fast or forgo the consumption of rich foods (e.g., meat, dairy, fats, sugars) and alcohol. Carnival is believed to have sprung from the period before Lent when all these forbidden foods were to be disposed of (i.e., consumed). The meaning and origins of Carnival are disputed, however. Some say it may mean “to remove meat” or “farewell to meat.” Others argue that both the word and tradition relate back to the Roman pagan festivals of Saturnalia and Baccanalia in the pre-Christian era. Perhaps the answer lies somewhere in between.

The tradition of Carnival is broad and varied around the globe, and the season begins at different times, depending on the country. In Luxembourg, where it is known as Fuesent, it begins on February 2 (Candlemas, Liichtmesdag) and ends on Ash Wednesday. For Luxembourg and other areas of Europe, the peak of the season is on the Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (Mardi Gras) just before Ash Wednesday.  Everywhere in the world, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent (known as Faaschtenzäit, in Luxembourg).

During Fuesent, you may see notices for Fuesbals, which have nothing to do with soccer or football, but instead are masquerade balls taking place in many locations through Luxembourg. Kannerfuesbals are costume parties for the children. Some towns also have a “cavalcade” (procession), although (for some reason) most take place after the Carnival season during Lent. The most well-known Carnival cavalcade in Luxembourg takes place every year on Carnival Sunday in Diekirch.

Carnival costumes for both children and adults can be found in toy stores and shopping centers during this time. Some shopping centers may organize special events for the children, including a parade and costume competition (some noted  here). Check their websites or store announcements for information.

The following are some of the important events that take place in Luxembourg and neighboring countries every year. For all CARNIVAL EVENTS taking place THIS YEAR, click HERE.

Pre-Carnival Weekend Events

Some towns and shopping centers organize children’s fuesbals during February before Carnival Weekend, such as this one here.

Carnival Sunday (Fuessonnden)

Diekirch Cavalcade (parade)

The Diekirch Cavalcade dates back to 1870 and is one of the most important Carnival events in Luxembourg.  Every year, approximately 1,800 people participate in the procession, including their mascot, Willi the Donkey. The event is well-attended with about 25,000 spectators.  The parade is followed by a party with live music, tombola (raffle) and an award ceremony for the best floats. Details for this year’s events can be found here.

Carnival Monday (Fuesméinden)

LUXEMBOURG:  Carnival Monday is a semi-public holiday (jour férié d'usage) in Luxembourg, meaning some businesses, shops and services may be closed at the discretion of the employer. For special events taking place this year, click here.

GERMANY:  Carnival Monday, known as Rose Monday (Rosenmontag) in Germany, is also a semi-public holiday in Trier and other parts of Germany. Many shops, museums, restaurants, and even gas stations will be CLOSED or have limited hours in the morning.

Rose Monday Parade, Trier, Germany

Every year, Trier hosts a festive carnival parade (Rosenmontagsumzug) in the inner city, followed by a party.  For details on this year’s parade, click here.

FRANCE and BELGIUM: All stores, restaurants and other businesses will have normal hours during the week of Carnival.

Carnival Tuesday (Mardi Gras, Fuesdënschdeg)

Mardi Gras is a normal business day in Luxembourg, although some events may be organized for the children, such as this one here.

Ash Wednesday (Aschermëttwoch)

Stréimännchen, Remich

Every year on Ash Wednesday, the town of Remich holds an event called Stréimännchen, which is a celebration mixing both Catholic and pagan elements. On the one hand, it marks the end of the Carnival season and the beginning of Lent; and on the other, it’s yet another ritual--like Buergbrennen (below)—intended to chase away the winter and welcome in the spring.  Stréimännchen is Luxembourgish for “straw man” (in leap year, it’s a Stréifrächen, a straw woman), and this celebration is unique to Remich.  It begins with a procession led by torch-carrying town officials and a marching band, in which they carry the Stréimännchen through the streets of the village, down to the bridge that crosses the Moselle River into Germany. There, they set the straw man on fire and let him fall into the river. Anyone, young and old, can take part in the procession. For details on this year’s event, click here.

Lent (Faaschtenzäit)

Most of the Carnival cavalcades in Luxembourg (and nearby Belgium) take place during Lent. Click on the town to see details of this year’s event.

Early Lent

Esch-sur-Alzette

Schifflange: Usually on the same weekend of Buergbrennen (see below).

Arlon, Belgium

Bretzels Sonndeg. Several Carnival parades take place on Bretzels Sonndeg, which marks halfway point of Lent.

Pétange

Remich

Wasserbillig

Buergbrennen

February-March

This unique Luxembourg ritual takes place in the evening on the first Sunday of Lent (in some towns, it takes place on Saturday). It is not a Catholic holiday, however. The practice seems to have pagan origins and is thought to be a purification rite to commemorate the end of winter. The meaning of Buergbrennen is a tautology in that both “buerg” and “brennen” mean “to burn.” People in the villages erect a huge straw-covered cross or wheel of wood, topped with an evergreen tree, and place it on a hillside. According to tradition, the most recently married couple lights the cross or wheel at nightfall in the presence of the spectators. A torch-lit parade usually precedes the event. In traditional times, the village youth would go around town in the early evening, ringing doorbells to collect eggs and bacon or money for supper, which would take place in a local cafe after the burning. These days, stands are set up at the venue to sell hearty food items and drinks.

Luxembourg Ville usually organizes a Buergbrennen in the Petrusse Valley at the base of the Schlittenhiwwel (sledding hill), the large hill in the middle of the park. The cross is comprised of discarded Christmas trees that were collected by city during January.  The event normally starts midday where you can watch them build the cross while enjoying something to eat or drink. HOWEVER, in 2013, Luxembourg City CANCELLED the Buergbrennen in the Petrusse Valley, due to the renovation work that began on the Pont Adolphe, which will result in much of the park being closed off to public events for quite some time. Not to worry. Nearly 60 towns across the Grand Duchy normally host their own Buergbrennen on either the Saturday or Sunday of that weekend.

For details of this year’s events, click here. 

Valentine’s Day (Veltesdag)

14 February

Valentine’s Day is celebrated here as elsewhere. Flowers or chocolate are exchanged as a gesture of love or friendship. February 14 also is the wedding anniversary of Grand Duke Henri and Grande Duchesse Maria Teresa, married in 1981.