Hundreds Attend 27th Christmas Celebration of Stëmm vun der Strooss

On Thursday 18 December 2025, Luxembourg-based non-profit organisation Stëmm vun der Strooss held the 27th edition of its annual Christmas celebration for people experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable members of society.

This year's event took place at the Halle Victor Hugo in Luxembourg-Limpertsberg, marking a change from previous editions held at the Bonnevoie cultural centre. Among those present were Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie, Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, and Minister of Health and Social Security, Martine Deprez, who toured the various stands and interacted with guests.

Speaking to Chronicle.lu, Bob Ritz, Head of Communications at Stëmm vun der Strooss, explained that attendance was expected to be similar to or slightly higher than last year, with about 650 guests. The organisers decided to move to a bigger venue (capacity of up to 2,000 people) where "everybody should fit in comfortably". No registration was required and information about the event was shared through the organisation's social restaurants and other local associations.

Beneficiaries included homeless people, the long-term unemployed, the working poor, former prisoners, people facing addiction, at-risk youth, people with mental illness, participants in social reintegration programmes, undocumented migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

Guests were already queuing outside the venue shortly before midday, with the hall filling up over lunchtime. They were served a hot meal consisting of pumpkin soup and stuffed chicken with roast potatoes and vegetables, followed by a festive yule log for dessert. Tea, coffee and soft drinks were available throughout the afternoon, and attendees were welcomed on arrival with a glass of "Pink Snow Punch".

The festive atmosphere was enhanced by music and a range of activities, including free manicures, children's tattoos and a tombola. Decorated Christmas trees, wooden chalets with lights and a large inflatable snow globe added to this seasonal setting - and "Kleeschen" (Saint Nicholas) would later make an appearance to distribute gifts.

The event relied on the support of various donors and volunteers. "We have quite a lot of partner companies, which support us financially, but […] also, over the year, they participate in volunteering activities with us. And today is the biggest event where every company wants to participate," said Bob Ritz.

Food and drinks were provided by partners such as La Provençale, De Schnékert, Auchan and Rosport, while other donations came from organisations including Banque de Luxembourg, Quintet, Arendt Medernach, Kleiderbörse, Lombard Odier, Spuerkeess (BCEE), LSC, Fidelity International and Fondation Thierry van Werveke. These included clothing, hygiene products, toys and presents, as well as meal vouchers and financial donations.

About 100 volunteers from partner organisations were present on-site, including those from FNEL Scouts, State Street, Morgan Stanley, Schroders, BNY, Sodexo, BGL, US Bank, BBH, Wisdomize and MFS. They supported the approximately 60 volunteers from Stëmm vun der Strooss (with additional staff involved in preparation and logistics) over the three-day period covering set-up, the event itself and clean-up.

Clothing retailer UNIQLO had a stand where volunteers distributed around 3,000 clothing items, including warm hats, gloves and socks. Speaking to Chronicle.lu, Marijn Pronker, Sustainability Manager Benelux at UNIQLO, noted that the partnership with Stëmm vun der Strooss began shortly after the company opened its Luxembourg City store in October 2023. He said UNIQLO had "looked for a reliable NGO partner in which we could make a difference for the community", adding: "We believe that as we grow as a business, also the communities in which we're based have to grow along with us. That is why we tried to use the power of clothing to make really a difference also for vulnerable groups… And that is where Stëmm vun der Strooss was a very reliable partner from the start."

This collaboration includes (new and second-hand) clothing donations, volunteering, and financial support. The clothing distributed at the Christmas event formed part of UNIQLO's global "Heart of Lifewear" campaign in which the retailer is committed to donating one million HEATTECH clothing items to vulnerable people around the world. Marijn Pronker added that the clothing is functional, for example helping to keep homeless people warm during the winter months. He also noted that UNIQLO is currently running an in-store fundraising campaign with its payment provider to support Stëmm vun der Strooss in Luxembourg. Marijn Pronker summarised: "We try to have a holistic approach together with Stëmm vun der Strooss to let the community thrive."

The celebration was scheduled to conclude at around 18:00, following a festive afternoon of food and drinks, music, activities and gift distribution.