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 Luxembourg European Association of Performing Arts (LEAPA) where Chronicle.lu talked with Rose Flammant, President.

Chronicle.lu: When and why was the club founded, and what are its main goals and objectives?

Rose Flammant: LEAPA was founded on 25 February 2014. At the time, [the] majority of the cultural clubs under the umbrella of Cercle Culturel used French as their language of communication. The founding members of LEAPA felt the need to create a social and cultural club using English as their language of communication. Apart from organising social and cultural events in English, its goal is also to promote cultural events and performances in English.

Chronicle.lu: What is the main language of the club and how many nationalities are members of the club?

Rose Flammant: The main language of the club is English. The club currently has thirteen different nationalities.

Chronicle.lu: How often do you meet and where?

Rose Flammant: The Committee meets once monthly at Foyer Européen, except July and August.

Chronicle.lu: What is your main target audience?

Rose Flammant: Anyone who's interested in cultural events in English and is happy to meet people and socialise.

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)?

Rose Flammant: Our number of members [has] slowly grown over the years. Indeed, we have to be careful not to exceed the public/EU officials' ratio. At the moment, we have 64% EU officials and their spouses versus 36% of public members.

Chronicle.lu: What events are your club planning or participating in during the coming months?

Rose Flammant: It's our plan to organise one event every month. After the Quiz & Buffet Dinner last October, we [held] a NT Live Viewing at Foyer Européen on Monday 25 November (free admission). [We will hold] a Xmas Songs Concert on Friday 13 December followed by buffet dinner at Foyer Européen (members €36 and non-members €43); a Folk Evening by the Raft of Loons and Friends at Pianos Kelly in Niederanven on Friday 7 February 2025 (members €12; non-members €15); all ticket proceeds go to charity; AGM on Tuesday 25 February at Foyer Européen followed by dinner; A Cappella concert by Sultry at Foyer Européen on Friday 7 March as well as a Quiz & Dinner on 4 October 2025 with David James as our quizmaster.

We are still in the process of planning more events for 2025. For more info on our programme, please check our website regularly.

Chronicle.lu: How can someone who is interested in the club's activities become a member?

Rose Flammant: People who are interested in joining LEAPA are invited to complete and submit a membership form online via: https://www.leapa.eu/page/join-us.php

The annual individual membership subscription fee is €25 per year. The club year is from January to December. We are currently offering free membership for November and December 2024, i.e. newly joined members get the two remaining months free [and] their membership will be up for renewal in January 2026 only.

Chronicle.lu: Are there different classes/different levels for beginners through to more experienced members?

Rose Flammant: LEAPA offers individual membership only. All members are equal.