Credit: Milena Campagna

On Saturday 26 February 2022, the official opening of Esch2022 - European Capital of Culture took place in the presence of several Luxembourg and European dignitaries.

Guests included Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, the President of the Chamber of Deputies (Luxembourg's Parliament), Fernand Etgen, Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg's Minister of Culture, Sam Tanson, Luxembourg's Minister of the Greater Region, Corinne Cahen, European Deputy Commissioner Margarítis Schinás, European Commissioners Mariya Gabriel and Nicolas Schmit, French Secretary of State for European Affairs, Clément Beaune, French regional and departmental representatives and Georges Mischo, Mayor of Esch-sur-Alzette and President of Esch2022.

Members of the public from Luxembourg and the Greater Region also attended the sold-out "REMIX Opening" event. Several concerts, workshops, light and video installations, architectural projections and performances brought the city centre of Esch-sur-Alzette and the Esch-Belval site to life.

In her speech, Minister Sam Tanson recalled the importance of culture in times of crisis and conflict: "While at this very moment the Ukrainian people are going through a terrible ordeal, an attack on the most fundamental values ​​and rights, it is up to us, here, this evening, to uphold the European values ​​which define us, which unite, and which are so perfectly expressed by the concept of European Capitals of Culture".

At the same time, she looked to the future with her wish to see the Esch2022 project strengthen the thirst for culture of residents of the region, not only for the duration of the project but beyond 31 December 2022, as well. "Organising a European Capital of Culture only makes sense if we manage to create something sustainable, to leave indelible traces - material and intellectual", she noted.

These opening festivities will be followed by an ambitious cultural programme which will focus on central societal issues, such as identity and social development, the environment and sustainable development, as well as Europe and its development as a community of values. Under the motto "Remix Culture", Esch2022 will offer around 2,000 events throughout the year in the nineteen participating municipalities in Luxembourg and the Grand Est (France).