Two hundred years ago, cigarette manufacturing commenced in Luxembourg; on Thursday, Heintz van Landewyck in Hollerich held a press conference to chronicle the industry's activities over the two centuries and announce details of a corresponding exhibition.
Back in 1815, Michel Fixmer, from Amsterdam who had gained a Masters in Dutch Tobacco, founded the first cigarette manufacturing plant in Luxembourg, in Ettelbruck. In 1873 he installed a vapour machine at the factory, therefore bringing the industrial revolution to Luxembourg and specifically Ettelbruck, and employment to the north of the country.
The first brand sold was "Goldschlessel". Heintz van Landewyck then started in 1847; they survived as the only cigarette manufacturer in 1945
During the war years, American GIs brought over filtered cigarettes which signalled changes to the cigarette manufacturing process here.
Over 700 people worked over two centuries at the factories in Ettelbruck and Luxembourg city.
The CAPe in Ettelbruck will host an exhibition on the history of cigarette manufacturing in Luxembourg from 26 June until 5 July 2015, with the vernissage on 25 June at 18:00. In addition, Heintz van Landewyck will host an Open Doors event on Sunday 28 June from 10:00 - 17:00 during which members of the public can view and tour the factory. In addition, a 144-page book entitled "Rout Waiss Bloen Damp: 200 Joer Letzebuerger Tubakswelt" has been published (in German) and costs €34.
Photo by Geoff Thompson (standing, L-R): Francois Elvinger, Charles Lemmer; (seated): Georges Krombach
