India Day in Esch-sur-Alzette (Luxembourg)

Yesterday, Saturday 17 September 2022, the main square of Luxembourg’s second city, Esch-sur-Alzette, where I live, was animated by a fine display of Indian culture.

17 September is India Day and this year marks the 75th anniversary of India’s independence. The event also dovetailed with the status of Esch as European Capital of Culture 2022. The programme offered the most varied and colourful manifestations of Indian dance, as well as sacred song (bhajans). There was official recognition via the presence of India’s Ambassador and Esch’s Mayor..

More can be found at: https://chronicle.lu/event/10882-india-day-celebrations

It is a pleasure and an enrichment for the inhabitants of Esch to have our main square become a showcase for the vibrancy of a different culture, and the organisers, the Indian Association Luxembourg, are to be praised for making it possible! Namaste and thanks to all involved!

Sculpture in the street – Esch-sur-Alzette, European Capital of Culture 2022

As European Capital of Culture 2022, Esch-sur-Alzette in Luxembourg, where I live, has brought the art of sculpture to the street in the form of ‘Nothing Is Permanent’ (title in English), a set of sculptures placed strategically around the ‘Metropolis of Iron’. There are 23 works, each by a different international artist. A map in the main square locates them all. See also: https://nothingispermanent.lu/en/

This initiative is much to be commended. Indeed nothing is permanent in this life, but these sculptures will be here for a while. Here are two: ‘Heimatlos’ (in German, ‘Without a Homeland’) by Barthélémy Toguo, outside the Palace of Justice;

and ‘Points of View’ by Tony Cragg, right at the centre of things in the main square!