On Friday 3 June, Luxembourg's Minister for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, François Bausch, the Minister of Environment, Carole Dieschbourg, and the Secretary of State for Culture, Guy Arendt, officiated at the inauguration of the Biodiversum Haff Réimech welcome centre at Remerschen in the Moselle valley.
The Biodiversum visitor centre is located at the Haff Réimech nature reserve on reclaimed land in an area that was formerly a gravel pit. The nature reserve, classified as Natura 2000 and Ramsar since 1998, is located in an area of 280ha between Remich and Schengen, valued for its diversity of its birdlife and its particularly rare flora and fauna. It is one of the most important wetlands as well as the richest area in the Grand Duchy for bird species.
Due to the topography of the site, and to the conical shape of the building and the choice of materials, the centre blends into the Moselle landscape. The project consists of two buildings that are distinguished by their shape and function.
Minister Bausch said that the energy concept of the building made entirely of wood provides an efficient thermal insulation and promotes eco-friendly technologies, including through an innovative heat pump that draws its energy from the lake water by submerged intermediate exchangers. "The project is a perfect example for the Government's strategy: investing in new sustainable and low energy consumption in buildings."
Minister Dieschbourg stressed the open nature of the centre "The Biodiversum is a gateway to nature and the region and its rare and special natural wealth. The exhibition showcases the value of biodiversity for man and the practical relationship with our quality of life. It calls for respect and preservation of this wealth because we protect what we love, and we love what we know."
Secretary of State Arendt stressed the importance of bringing natural heritage and archaeological heritage under one roof. The National Archaeological Research Centre contributed to the project by providing models and archaeological objects from the Moselle valley, ranging from prehistory to the present day. Guy Arendt recalled human migration waves that passed through the Moselle valley in the last millennia: "For archaeologists, the Moselle basement turns out to be a "library" unique to the history of our country and that of Europe."
The permanent exhibition is open daily (except Mondays) from 10:00 to 17:00.
