Luxembourg is burning away winter this weekend, with various "Buergbrennen" festivities taking place across the country on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 February 2023.
Traditionally celebrated on the first Sunday after Carnival (i.e. the first Sunday of Lent), this Luxembourgish tradition brings together many people in various towns and villages to watch the bonfires that symbolically chase away winter and welcome spring together over drinks and a bowl of soup (or other hot food). It is usually a local youth club or organisation that organises the festivities, erecting the large wooden structures which will then be set alight.
In many municipalities, crowds of people also take part in a torchlit procession from their town or village to the bonfire.
Whilst Buergbrennen festivities are typically planned in (almost) every municipality, Chronicle.lu has compiled a list with a few examples:
- In Diekirch, festivities will start already at 11:30 on Saturday 25 February 2023 (Cité A Bedingen). The Amicale Asazzenter Dikrich will serve free soup and drinks (until there is none left; donations welcome). The bonfire will take place at 20:00;
- In Luxembourg City, the districts of Bonnevoie and Cents will also celebrate Buergbrennen on Saturday 25 February 2023, with the procession starting at 19:00 in Bonnevoie (near the church) and at 19:15 in Cents (bonfire at 19:30; workshops start at 16:00 already at 153 Rue Cents - guides and scouts' premises). The festivities will continue in Beggen on Sunday 26 February 2023; the procession starts at 18:40 near the school and the bonfire will take place at 19:00 near the football pitch;
- In Dudelange, the procession will depart Butschebuerger Kapell (chapel) at 18:15, followed by the bonfire at 19:30 on Saturday 25 February 2023;
- In Itzig, people can gather for food and drinks in a heated tent near the tennis club from 17:00 on Sunday 26 February 2023. Later in the evening, the Entente des Sociétés Izeg will light the bonfire;
- In Niederanven, the festivities will start at 18:30 on Rue de Munsbach, with the bonfire scheduled for 19:30. BBQ food, soup and drinks will be available;
- In Sanem, the procession departs Rue de Limpach at 18:30, with the bonfire taking place later in the evening. Again, food and drinks will be available.
These are just a few examples of the many Buergbrennen festivities taking place across the country this weekend. For more information, visit the websites and/or social media accounts of the various municipalities.
