The Cercle Culturel des Institutions Européennes (EU Cultural Circle) is the umbrella organisation for around 35 clubs and associations affiliated to the European Institutions in Luxembourg.
From music and theatre to chess and wine, there is a variety of clubs for individuals with different interests. Membership, and participation in the clubs' and associations' activities, is also open to people not working in the European Institutions.
In this series of articles, Chronicle.lu explores some of the different clubs and associations of the Cercle Culturel, including their main activities, interests, membership and events.
Next up is the Painting Club where Chronicle.lu talked with Frédérique Esposito-Thiriart, Club Secretary.
Chronicle.lu: When and why was the club founded, and what are its main goals and objectives?
Frédérique Esposito-Thiriart: The painting club was created by ECSC [European Coal and Steel Community] officials in Brussels in 1961. After their service was transferred to Luxembourg, the club joined the Cercle Culturel that had just been formed.
Apart from having a place to paint (which is impossible to find outside the Foyer Européen), the aim is to have an instructor who helps us and to be able to exchange our impressions and ideas with people from very different backgrounds and cultures, but who have one thing in common, a taste for painting.
Painting is creating something, it is rewarding. Friendships are created. It is very friendly. We give our opinion on the painting, which is very constructive, because when we always have our eyes on the painting, it doesn't allow us to see objectively what is wrong with [it]. We can express ourselves freely in painting.
Chronicle.lu: What is the main language of the club and how many nationalities are members of the club?
Frédérique Esposito-Thiriart: The most used language is English and this has been the case since the entry of Eastern countries into Europe. Before that it was French. I had to do a census to find out the nationality of the members. They didn't all answer me. It appears that I already have twelve nationalities in the club.
Chronicle.lu: How often do you meet and where?
Frédérique Esposito-Thiriart: Our premises are located in the Foyer Européen [European Foyer], 10 Rue Heinrich Heine L-1720 Luxembourg on the 3rd floor. As it is a building of the European Institutions, there is a security service at the entrance that allows members to have access to our premises every day of the week, from 09:00-22:00, and on Saturdays, we only have to notify security of our arrival. On Mondays, as there is a teacher present from 18:15-20:15 to help us with our paintings, there are more members present. It is even more enjoyable to meet together, to be able to see what the others are painting and to exchange our opinions.
Chronicle.lu: What is your main target audience?
Frédérique Esposito-Thiriart: Adults. We have more women than men. We only take on teenagers who are able to discern the danger of the products we use or who are accompanied by an adult.
Chronicle.lu: How has membership grown over the years and has membership increased since Cercle Culturel began admitting members who are not working in EU institutions? What percentage of your members are not employed by the EU institutions (if known)?
Frédérique Esposito-Thiriart: At the time when I started to take care of the club around 2006, we were allowed 25% of external members. I had to refuse some, then they allowed 50% and then I was able to accept all the requests to become a member. Recently, since the Cercle Culturel was authorised to send the newsletter to all civil servants, announcing the activities that take place at the Foyer and where our club offers an introduction to oil painting, we have many more civil servants than external members.
Chronicle.lu: What events are your club planning or participating in during the coming months?
Frédérique Esposito-Thiriart: We are [currently] organising a group exhibition at the Foyer Européen. The opening took place on Friday 15 November 2024. The exhibition is open to the public from 12 November to 13 December 2024, by appointment.
Chronicle.lu: How can someone who is interested in the club's activities become a member?
Frédérique Esposito-Thiriart: By writing to me via email: fthiriart@gmail.com, or by coming to visit the club on a Monday after 18:15, to observe how we work. People from outside the [EU institutions] must write to me so that I can notify security. Painting initiations are by appointment. I only take two per Monday. They take place in the presence of the other members, who come at the same time to get advice from the teacher.
Chronicle.lu: Are there different classes/different levels for beginners through to more experienced members?
Frédérique Esposito-Thiriart: No. As we are free to practise all techniques and styles and the subject is open, the teacher and sometimes the other members explain, as the painting progresses how to proceed. Beginners are advised to copy a painting or a photo to learn how to mix colours, how to proceed and above all to know how to observe.
Frédérique Esposito-Thiriart also elaborated on his motivation for taking on a voluntary role within the club, noting: "In 2005, I joined the club because at home, I could not find the time to paint. I need to create, to exist through painting. And then, I meet people who have the same affinities even though we have very different styles. I enjoy seeing beautiful paintings in styles that I would never paint. An example [is] abstract art - there are very beautiful paintings [in this style] and when I want to try, inevitably, I feel the desire to put something concrete into them. The personality of each painter appears in the painting. By painting, we relax, we forget our problems. I think that my motivations are a common denominator for all members."
