Scattered shoes throughout Luxembourg City;
Credit: HI
On Friday 9 October 2026, NGO Handicap International (HI) Luxembourg announced an awareness-raising campaign featuring shoes scattered across Luxembourg City to highlight the impact of anti-personnel landmines on civilians.
The campaign comes ahead of HI's annual Solidarity Pyramid event, which will take place at Place d'Armes in Luxembourg-Ville on Saturday 10 October 2026. This year's edition will also mark the return of the traditional shoe pyramid after an absence of several years.
According to the organisation, the shoes, placed at several locations, including Place de l'Europe and the railway station, symbolise the lives of people affected by anti-personnel landmines.
HI highlighted the long-term consequences of these weapons, which were banned under the 1997 Ottawa Treaty but remain in use today. Landmines can remain active for decades until triggered, posing a threat to civilians even after conflicts have ended.
According to the NGO, 90% of victims of explosive weapons are civilians, 46% of whom are children.
Beyond physical injuries and psychological trauma, landmines also affect entire communities by disrupting agriculture, delaying reconstruction, preventing displaced populations from returning home and placing additional pressure on healthcare systems, noted the organisation.
This year's Solidarity Pyramid event will feature several activities, including an immersive experience exploring the daily lives of Ukrainians during wartime and a video highlighting the consequences of explosive weapons.
Ukrainian Paralympic athlete Olha Lieshukova, who has been affected by the conflict, will also attend the event at Place d'Armes to share her experiences and discuss the challenges faced by people with disabilities in conflict situations.
Leïla Cartier, Campaigns, Development Education and Advocacy Coordinator at Handicap International Luxembourg, explained: “The 2026 Solidarity Pyramid returns to the foundations of Handicap International's mission: the fight against anti-personnel landmines, against a global backdrop of challenges to international humanitarian law and, more specifically, the Ottawa Treaty.”
On Saturday, members of the public are also invited to contribute to the pyramid by bringing their own shoes to Place d'Armes. According to HI, the pyramid will grow throughout the day, symbolising victims of anti-personnel landmines, many of whom have suffered amputations.
