(L-R) Nicole Trossen, President of Patrimoine Rose Luxembourg Asbl presents Marc Widong, Director of Fonds Kirchberg and workers from Fonds Kirchberg with a varieties of roses named after Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duke Henri.; Credit: Ali Sahib, Chronicle.lu

On Friday 12 June 2026, Fonds Kirchberg, in partnership with Patrimoine Roses Luxembourg Asbl, inaugurated the open-air exhibition on Luxembourg's rose heritage at the Park Central du Kirchberg in Luxembourg-Kirchberg.

Through a series of 24 themed panels installed in the park, the public can discover the rich history of Luxembourg's rose heritage.

Luxembourg’s history with the emblematic flower stretches back to the 19th century, when the Grand Duchy was widely recognised as the "Land of Roses”, with ornate creations rewarded by numerous international prizes, as well as bringing great economic success. Around 1900, roses cultivated in Luxembourg were exported all over the world and appreciated by a prestigious clientele of kings, princes, presidents. However, after prosperous years for rose cultivation, the First World War caused a market collapse and the post-war economic recession, the spread of phylloxera. The Second World War sadly dealt the final blow to the golden age of Luxembourg’s roses.

The new exhibition preserves that history and details the wide variety of types of rose which can be found in the Grand Duchy today, the work of Patrimoine Roses Luxembourg in preserving and promoting this unique floral heritage. The information panels also provide details on the work of Fonds Kirchberg, who are responsible for the park’s upkeep, as well as all the green spaces on the Kirchberg plateau.

The opening of the exhibition was attended by Marc Widong, Director of Fonds Kirchberg and Nicole Trossen, President of Patrimoine Rose Luxembourg Asbl who spoke of the design of the park by German landscape architect Peter Latz, the park’s history as part of the development of the Kirchberg plateau over the decades and the work of Fonds Kirchberg and Patrimoine Roses Luxembourg.

Following the speeches, Nicole Trossen presented Marc Widong and workers from Fonds Kirchberg with two varieties of rose named after Grand Duke Jean and Grand Duke Henri. Guests were then invited to enjoy refreshments supplied by the hosts.

The exhibition is on display at the Park Central du Kirchberg until Sunday 18 October 2026.