Minister Sam Tanson addressing the opening of CinEast 2022;
Credit: chronicle.lu
On Thursday 6 October 2022, the 15th Central and Eastern European Film Festival (CinEast) opened at the Abbaye de Neumunster in Luxembourg-Grund.
The opening speeches were mainly delivered in French, with a couple in English; this year's festival has a special focus on the Czech Republic as well as Ukraine.
Radek Lipka, the main organiser, talked about the planning and how their idea from the outset was to have the 15th edition as a real festival; then the war in Ukraine broke out in February, which led to the extended Ukrainian film programme - also for visibility, context and discussion: he hopes to engage the audience throughout the 18 days of the festival. He also mentioned the theme of this year’s festival, communities, to be experienced in many ways but in particular via both documentary films and exhibitions.
Following a video message from Ukraine, Luxembourg’s Minister of Culture, Sam Tanson, spoke about the festival’s 15th anniversary and it surviving the COVID-19 pandemic. She mentioned Luxembourg’s mix of communities as well as the war in Ukraine, including the consequences of which Luxembourg is experiencing.
Lydie Polfer, Mayor of Luxembourg city, said she was very happy to support the 15th edition of the festival and acknowledged the long road taken by the organisers to reach the point of opening the festival. She referred to the large number of non-Luxembourgers working in Luxembourg city which represent an enormous international community; she stressed, however, that together we are stronger. She mentioned that the city’s financing of the festival has risen over the years to over €27k this year, acknowledging that it is money well spent. She also referred to the dreadful effect on Ukraine following the Russian invasion in February, and stressed her and the city’s solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
The Czech Ambassador, who spoke in English, referenced the centenary celebration of diplomatic ties between his country and Luxembourg as well as echoing Minister Tanson’s words on bridges between the BeNeLux and Eastern Europe. He mentioned some highlights of the Czech programme which includes not only film but also music, exhibitions and more. He also referred to “nazi Russia” (which received rapturous audience applause) before wishing the festival well.
Natalia Anoshyna, Chargée d’Affaires at the Ukrainian embassy in Brussels, expressed her gratitude to the festival organisers and also Ukrainian filmmakers whose films are being screened during the festival. She talked about the war of aggression by Russia and how the country is standing against it, stressing how Ukraine is standing resolute in the face of military aggression. She described Ukraine’s “soft power” in terms of Ukrainian film. She concluded by hoping for a future edition of the festival screening a film about Ukraine’s victory in an emotional message.
The Opening Film was "Luxembourg, Luxembourg", a droll Ukrainian comedy drama about twin brothers who are quite inept, and their journey from Ukraine to Luxembourg. this was followed by a reception in the cloisters of the abbey.
