Credit: Elza Osmane, Chronicle.lu
On Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March 2026, Luxexpo The Box hosted the 43rd edition of the Festival of Migrations, Cultures and Citizenship, gathering around 35,000 visitors over the weekend and introducing a new feature for younger audiences.
Organised by CLAE, the festival is accompanied by the Book and Cultures Fair, ArtsManif and the Village. Taking place at the venue’s exhibition halls in Luxembourg-Kirchberg, the event brought together visitors for a weekend showcasing the diversity of citizenship and culture in Luxembourg.
Across both days, the event featured conferences, debates, workshops, performances and exhibitions alongside more than 400 stands presenting associations, institutions, gastronomy and crafts.
On Saturday, the programme included conferences, debates and round tables addressing topics such as migration, citizenship and social issues. Visitors could also attend film screenings and cine-debates, alongside literary activities within the Book and Cultures Fair. The day also featured multicultural performances, including flamenco, oriental music and Congolese rumba.
Sunday’s programme continued with conferences, panel discussions and cultural activities, including a cine-meeting featuring the animated film Hola Frida by André Kadi and Karine Vézina, which explores the childhood of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, followed by exchanges with participants. The programme also included interactive sessions, workshops and discussions held throughout the venue.
The festival layout extended across the entire Luxexpo venue, with different zones dedicated to specific activities. Upper areas hosted conferences, panel discussions and talks, while the main exhibition halls featured stands organised into thematic sections such as for literature, other for visual arts, performances and community initiatives, while the hall for food stands showcased international cuisines.
This year’s edition also introduced a new feature, the “Young Makers Space”, which focused on younger audiences and encouraged children to learn about the world through hands-on activities.
Speaking with Chronicle.lu, festival coordinator, Mathieu Viau Courville, explained: “It’s one of the biggest events in Luxembourg but also at European level when it comes to a festival focused on migration. It’s very important for Luxembourg, because nearly 50% of the population is foreign. This has always been the annual event that embodies the cultural diversity of Luxembourg.”
Mathieu Viau Courville noted that the festival provides an open space for dialogue and exchange, with a presence of political actors. He said: “All the political parties are represented. This is an open space, a third space in the city for democracy and sharing ideas. It’s important to have all social and political actors here.”
Asked about the festival’s growth, the coordinator highlighted: “As diversity grows, networks grow as well. More associations are created and they bring more people, so the festival is growing every year. It is 13,000 square metres and completely full.”
Photo Caption: Mathieu Viau Courville, festival coordinator
