Radio ARA Kicks Off Annual Crowdfunding Campaign

Radio ARA has announced that it is kicking off its annual #SupportRadioARA fundraising campaign with a weekend of events at Rotondes and around Luxembourg-Bonnevoie.

 

On Friday 24 September 2021, the 12-hour Bumper Friday Show will start at 06:30, with presenter Sam Steen being joined by the ARA City Radio presenters for a day of Friday fun. Later in the afternoon, the iconic voice of ARA Bistro’s Céline Agnes will fill the airwaves as she goes head-to-head in a DJ battle with some of Luxembourg’s finest music lovers.

 

Having survived a turbulent year of financial struggles and political campaigning, Radio ARA’s fundraising this year is in many ways a celebration. This time last year, the community radio station was on the verge of financial bankruptcy, but thanks to the support of listeners and a temporary agreement with the Luxembourg Government, the situation has improved. Yet in the absence of a law to secure these finances, anything could happen in the future. Morevoer, the values of Radio ARA as an open platform for all means that it is imperative that the station remains independent.

 

“Since its foundation almost 30 years ago, Radio ARA has been financed to a large extent by the contribution of its listeners. The agreement with the government is temporary and as such we must continue to show that we are a community financed project. This is above all an endorsement of a unique information project in Luxembourg, which guarantees genuine independence”, explained Guy Antony, President of Radio ARA.

 

Throughout the weekend, the Radio ARA studios will be open to listeners and anyone interested in the work the community station does. The studios are open to the public this Friday from 14:00 to 16:00 and on Saturday from 12:00 to 14:00.

 

Furthermore, throughout October, the shows on ARA will be dedicated to the special relationship that brings volunteers, listeners and the radio together. 

 

“This past year has seen us add shows in Farsi, Tigrinya, Albanian, Spanish, Greek and Irish. It has been an exciting evolution of the international programmes on offer at ARA, and I don’t think we are done yet. There is a large Romanian and Polish community in Luxembourg. It would be great if we could hear community shows from those groups in the future. We are always open to new ideas", added Lisa McLean, ARA City Radio Coordinator.

 

As an extension of the crowdfunding campaign, and a way to give back to supporters, Radio ARA is also organising a special event on Saturday 25 September 2021: a walking festival, aptly named "The Walk", will start at Rotondes at 18:00. Local band Sheebaba will perform at Rotondes at 18:00, followed by a performance by Hannah Ida at the bandstand in Bonnevoie Park at 19:00 and a dance performance by Corps In Situ, in collaboration with TROIS C-L - Centre de Création Chorégraphique Luxembourgeois, at the Banannefabrik at 20:00. The evening will culminate with DJ sets at the Buvette at Rotondes.

 

There are various ways to contribute to the Radio ARA project, for instance by making a monthly or one-off donation (details at ara.lu/donation), by becoming a volunteer on the radio's programmes, by advertising on its shows or becoming a partner in its projects, or by sharing its message and supporting its activities.