From Junglinster to the Midwest: Deepening Luxembourg-American Connections

Following the recent exchange visit of students from the Lënster Lycée International School (LLIS) in Junglinster to the United States (see here and here), teacher Marc Zimer has shared not only insights from the trip but also his broader efforts to deepen Luxembourg-American connections.

As a board member of the Roots and Leaves association, Mr Zimer works closely with Luxembourg-American associations across the United States. This year, his travels took him through the Midwest, where he met communities whose ancestors left Luxembourg more than a century ago but “whose pride in their heritage is as alive as ever”. From large cities such as Chicago to smaller towns such as St Donatus, New Ulm and Remsen, he “witnessed how traditions endure, how friendships grow and how we are building new bridges for the future”.

While the student exchange programme is one visible expression of this transatlantic partnership, Mr Zimer’s travels across the Midwest offered a broader picture: heritage associations, academic collaborations and personal encounters that keep Luxembourg-American ties alive today.

Chicago - Luxembourg Brotherhood of America

Founded in 1887, the Luxembourg Brotherhood of America (LBA) is one of the oldest Luxembourg associations in the US. Originally created as a mutual aid society to help newly arrived immigrants in Chicago find work, housing and community, it has since become a central institution for preserving Luxembourgish identity, organising cultural events and supporting families.

Marc Zimer attended two key Brotherhood gatherings this year:

• the Sauerbraten Dinner on 4 May - a long-standing tradition bringing members together over a hearty meal of “sauerbraten” (marinated beef roast), red cabbage and a potato. Mr Zimer sat at the head table with Grand President George Jones and his wife, as well as Paul Binsfeld, the Honorary Consul of Luxembourg for Arizona and New Mexico. He also introduced Luxembourg and shared the work being done to strengthen transatlantic ties;
• the 88th edition of the Schobermesse on 3 August, held at the Luxie Club in Aurora, Illinois. Inspired by Luxembourg's Schueberfouer, this annual celebration has become a highlight of the community calendar. Families gathered outdoors, children played, live music filled the air and grilled sausages together with imported Luxembourgish beer reminded everyone of Luxembourg's flavours.

The Lënster Lycée teacher also had the opportunity to deepen personal ties. LBA President George Jones invited him into his home for dinner with his family. Together, they are now preparing the launch of a Chicago Club, designed to connect the Brotherhood's youth with young people in Luxembourg.

Belgium, Wisconsin - Luxembourg American Cultural Society

In Belgium, Wisconsin, Marc Zimer visited the Luxembourg American Cultural Society (LACS) and took part in Luxembourg Fest, held this year from 7 to 10 August. Now in its 39th edition, this is the largest Luxembourg festival in the US and brings together thousands of people each summer. Mr Zimer described this year's programme as “especially rich”. On 8 August, historian Jean Ensch together with Debby Warner Anderson introduced Luxembourg genealogy at the Cultural Forum. On 9 August, Roots and Leaves joined the Luxembourg Fest Parade alongside the Luxembourg American Descendants Society (LADS) from La Crosse, as well as Miami University, the Embassy of Luxembourg, the Sheboygan North High School music band and many local associations.

Beyond the festival, LACS houses one of the largest Luxembourg-American archives in the US. The Roots and Leaves Museum and its archival collections preserve thousands of family records, photographs and documents - an ideal starting point for anyone interested in researching their ancestors.

Next year marks the 40th edition of Luxembourg Fest, “a milestone that will make the festival even more special”, noted Mr Zimer.

La Crosse, Wisconsin - Luxembourg American Descendants Society

Marc Zimer’s ties with the Luxembourg American Descendants Society (LADS) go back to 2022. Since then, they have built “a close and lasting relationship”, with members regularly visiting Luxembourg and vice versa.

Located on the Mississippi River, La Crosse is “a lively college town with a strong Luxembourgish community spirit”. From this partnership grew the sister city agreement between Junglinster and La Crosse.

Out of these ties, many new collaborations have developed, including: a nursing collaboration between Viterbo University and the University of Luxembourg; internships at the primary section of LLIS in Junglinster for students from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse’s School of Education; the creation of a Luxembourg Club at Aquinas High School.

St Donatus, Iowa - A Village with Luxembourg Soul

“Few places feel as much like ‘Little Luxembourg’ as St Donatus, Iowa”, noted Marc Zimer, adding that the village, nestled along Highway 52 between Dubuque and Bellevue, “mirrors Luxembourg with its stone houses and historic church”.

The Gehlen House and Barn, built in the 1850s, is a key landmark. The barn has become a community gathering place, where people meet over local specialties and self-brewed beers. It was here that Mr Zimer delivered a presentation about Luxembourg and the exchange programmes.

Nearby, the family-run Kalmes Restaurant serves Luxembourgish and German-inspired dishes. The wider Dubuque and Bellevue region also hosts an ongoing student exchange with schools in Luxembourg, ensuring young people stay connected to their heritage.

New Ulm, Minnesota - Luxembourg Heritage Society of Southern Minnesota

In New Ulm, Minnesota, Marc Zimer met with the Luxembourg Heritage Society of Southern Minnesota, founded in 2007. Many families here initially identified as German but later discovered their Luxembourg roots in parish records.

“New Ulm boasts a historic downtown and a warm atmosphere, although its identity is strongly tied to Ulm in Germany, which makes Luxembourg connections harder to highlight,” commented Mr Zimer.

During his visit, he had “a special encounter” with Colleen Sauber, a board member of the society and a distant cousin. “Meeting her for the first time was a reminder of how Luxembourg's family ties can bridge continents,” Mr Zimer said.

Remsen & Northwest Iowa - Heartfelt Heritage in Action

In Remsen, Iowa, Mr Zimer said he felt he had met “the most Luxembourgish and nicest people” of his journey. Here he connected with the Luxembourg Heritage Society of Northwest Iowa, founded in 2005 to preserve local Luxembourg settler history through genealogy, archives and celebrations.

He was hosted for two nights by dual citizen Roger. “We spent hours comparing life in Luxembourg and the US, enjoying conversations that embodied cultural exchange at its most personal,” shared Mr Zimer. That evening, a gathering of members took place where stories of Luxembourg, family ties and future connections were exchanged. Mr Zimer described the atmosphere as “lively” and “heartfelt”.

At St Mary's High School, half the students (25 of 50) belong to the Luxembourg Club, and they are now preparing a trip to Luxembourg, which Mr Zimer said was “an inspiring sign of how heritage is alive among the younger generation”.

Meeting Kathy Schmidt - A Living Link to Luxembourg

Marc Zimer ended his journey with another “special encounter”, this time with Kathy Schmidt, one of the few remaining people in the Midwest who still speaks Luxembourgish fluently. “Speaking with her was a moving reminder of how language is a living bridge between past and present - fragile, but deeply valuable,” he said.

A Network of Friendship

“Each stop on this journey - from Chicago to La Crosse, from St Donatus to Remsen - showed me that Luxembourg-American associations are not relics of the past, but living communities of friendship and pride,” shared Mr Zimer. He expressed his gratitude to the associations but also to “individuals whose dedication makes these bridges strong: Kevin Wester, Mike Ansay, Mike Trimberger, Caitlin Armstrong, Jim Birnbaum, Miranda Panzer, Mandi Touch, Judy Stokesberry, just to name a few,” adding: “Without their help, hospitality and commitment, Luxembourg-American relations in the Midwest would not be as rich and valuable as they are today.”

Taken together with the recent student exchange, Mr Zimer’s travels show how both young people and long-established associations are keeping Luxembourg-American ties alive on both sides of the Atlantic. Further details about on the student exchange initiative are available here.