In the Grand Théâtre de la Ville de Luxembourg, overlooking the space of Limpertsberg where the Schueberfouer will be offering rides and attractions for the next three weeks, Mayor of Luxembourg City Lydie Polfer today presented the 675th edition of Luxembourg's famous funfair.
The annual Schueberfouer fair will be opening its gates this Friday 21 August 2015, bringing with it new rides and novel eateries as well as traditional favourites to enliven the Glacis square with 185 fairground attractions and a further 89 stalls.
Each year the fair represents a hotly-anticipated summer event in the Grand Duchy, and has grown increasingly successful since its inception, when it was founded on 20 October 1340 by John I of Luxembourg. Historically, the fair would begin on the eve of the feast of St Bartholomew, providing an eight day long market offering agricultural products and household items. Nowadays, the fair lasts for a longer period of around twenty days, but still ties in with its beginnings through its traditional opening date which often still coincides with St Bartholomew's Day on 24 August 2015.
Despite its ancient roots, the 2015 edition of the Schueberfouer has been given a modern revival. Three new attractions have been added to the current kaleidoscope of rides; these being Wilde Maus XXL, 585 metres of roller coaster track at times soaring 30 metres in the air before rapid descents at 60 km/h; The Tower, nine floors and twelve areas of gaming, entertainment and fun; and Haunted Mansion, a new ghost train offering a ghoulish gondola ride which spins, tilts and vibrates against a backdrop of spooky animatronics and sound effects. Certain other rides have made a comeback for the 2015 fair, including Avenger, Shake & Roll, Power Tower 2, Happy Sailor, Rotor and Après Ski Party.
Visitors will also get the opportunity to try several new places to eat and drink at the fair, with the addition of Stübli Brasserie, previously Dikrecher Stuff; restaurant Kessel, replacing La Sapinière; and organic produce provider, Goldsünde.
In addition, the Schueberfouer has enhanced its digital presence for this year, with improvements made to its offical website, available in the three languages of English, French and German at www.fouer.lu, as well as the 'Schueberfouer' iPhone and Android app. Both outlets provide information on all attractions available and their locations, from rides and stalls to restaurants, snacks and bars. Answers to questions concerning access, ticket purchases, drinking water and toilets can also be found on the site.
Members of the public have been encouraged to create a more interactive fairground for themselves at this year's fair and bring an old tradition up-to-date, by sharing their photos and experiences on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #Schueberfouer.
On its opening day, the lights of the Schueberfouer will burn bright into the night, with a special closing time of 02:00 on both Friday 21 and Saturday 22 August 2015. True to tradition, the first Wednesday of the fair, 26 August 2015, will represent a Family Day in which ticket prices will be reduced by 30%. On regular days, rides will cost on average between €4 and €6, or €3 in the case of more traditional, long-established rides.
The Grand Duchy will bid farewell to the annual fair on Wednesday 9 September 2015 with half-price fares and a 22:00 firework display.
Top 3 photos by Sarah Graham (L-R: Mayor of Luxembourg City, Lydie Polfer ; Alderman, Patrick Goldschmidt)
Bottom photo by Schueberfouer
