Michel Reis concert;
Credit: Amicale Biermans
The "Association of Former Luxembourg Residents of the Fondation Biermans-Lapôtre in Paris" (Amicale Biermans) met from 11-13 October 2019 in Paris to strengthen links between the Maison Belgo-Luxembourgeoise and its current residents with former residents and Luxembourg.
Friday evening saw a full house attend a concert by Luxembourgish jazz pianist Michel Reis in the renovated large hall of the house. The Luxembourg Embassy in Paris supported this prestigious concert, organised as part of the "Jazz à la Cité" festival.
During a reception held the following day by Ambassador Martine Schommer, François Biltgen, President of Amicale Biermans, underlined the association's desire to support the presence and activities of Luxembourgish students in Paris and in particular those in the Fondation Biermans-Lapôtre, and to maintain - or even strengthen - the links between Luxembourg and Paris.
Saturday also saw former residents go on a guided tour of the Maison Belgo-Luxembourgeoise by its director Diane Miller, the first Luxembourgish director of the house. The tour was followed by an exchange between current and former residents. The latter could appreciate the work taken in recent years thanks to the commitment of Diane Miller and to the support of the Luxembourg State, which has made the Fondation Biermans-Lapôtre one of the most attractive foundations of the Cité Universitaire in Paris.
On Monday 27 January 2020, Amicale Biermans will organise a public conference with director Monique Kieffer on the subject of the library today and tomorrow at the new Bibliothèque Nationale du Luxembourg. In addition, the general assembly will take place on 27 April 2020.
Founded in 1990, Amicale Biermans was relaunched in April 2018. It offers cultural and social activities at the Fondation Biermans-Lapôtre in Paris and Luxembourg. Its current board consists of Fränz Biltgen (President), Marc Bichler (Vice President), John Wecker (Secretary), Elisabeth Mannes-Kieffer (Treasurer), Claire Simon, Hubert Bauler, Remi Frideres, Pierre Rauchs and Luc Scheer. To become a member of Amicale Biermans, interested persons should send an email to the secretary, John Wecker, at weckerjohn@yahoo.com and transfer the annual fee of €25 to the association's account: CCP IBAN LU96 1111 1026 1586 0000.
