On Wednesday evening, the Luxembourg export office, music:LX, celebrated its 10th anniversary with speeches and stage performances at the Théâtre d’Esch in Esch-sur-Alzette.
This special event served to celebrate both music:LX and the diversity of the music scene in Luxembourg. The public had the chance to listen to local artists such as Saxitude, Claudia Moulin, Seed To Tree, Reis-Demuth-Wiltgen, Jean Muller, United Instruments of Lucilin, Edsun and Greg Lamy trio.
So far, 2019 has marked a year of change for music: LX with the arrival of a new director, Giovanni Trono, a brand new team and the relocation to Esch-sur-Alzette in late-February. For the moment, the non-profit association remains in its temporary premises until the completion of works on the new offices. As mentioned by Mr. Knaff, alderman of the city of Esch-sur-Alzette, everything was done very quickly: "It happened during a cultural breakfast at the Rockhal. Mr. Toth [music:LX founding member Olivier Toth] informed Mr. Waltmans [cultural coordinator in Esch, Ralph Waltmans] that music: LX was looking for new premises. The decision was made in two minutes, in one phone call".
Celebrating its 10th anniversary on Wednesday night, music: LX reflected on its past and future, with President Bob Krieps and Director Gioanni Trono delivering speeches on the need to refocus on quality over quantity. Trono also lamented the lack of industry at the local level: "Bridges should be created between culture and the economy. There should be real recognition of the music industry by the economy, and it should be above all to support motivated young entrepreneurs because there are some. Artists need the support of a local industry in their career development".
Deputy-mayor of Esch-sur-Alzette, Georges Mischo, concluded: "Our cultural strategy plan provides for six priorities whose motto is "connections". We must do everything possible to support the creation in Esch, to have culture as a driver of economic development, to recognise cultural diversity and to promote access to culture for all, to allow the inhabitants of Esch to flourish through culture and to promote the image of the city through this".
The evening ended with a cocktail party upstairs where more than 200 guests gathered to celebrate ten years of music: LX.