On Sunday 1 May 2016, the Abbaye de Neumünster will host the 11th edition of the 'Fête du Travail et des Cultures' featuring music, cabaret, theatre, readings children's activities and exhibitions.

The 1 May celebrations, organised by the OGBL trade union alongside the Association de Soutien aux Travailleurs Immigrés (ASTI) and Action Solidarité Tiers Monde (ASTM), will be kicked off with the Big Music Band 2001 and the traditional Apéro Jazz which will host the Meander Group in the Brasserie. Music will be provided in the form of boogie and funk players The Heritage Blues Company, gypsy ballad performers Benjito y su familia, the Grund Club and its 'made in Luxembourg' acts, and Kingstone's tribute to AC/DC. Meanwhile magician David Goldrake will enthrall audiences in the Robert Krieps room before Gavroches takes them back in time to the time of dance halls and dances.

Jean Bermes and Noah Kugener will also embark on a journey through time through readings revisiting childhood dreams, whilst Tammy Reichling will evoke A Midsummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare. The story of Goldilocks and the Tree Bears will be retold through the puppet theatre of Laurent Peckels, Gilles Wagner, David Hoffmann, Simon Hoffmann and Carine Kayser, as well as a surprise guest, whilst the Fables de la Fontaine will tell jokes for the first time in Luxembourgish.

Developed by ASTI, directed by Cie Jucam and with the contribution of students at the Lycée Technique du Centre, an installation combining sound, images and lights will explore crossed or imagined paths, roads to adventure, exile or migration. Luc Spada will put a mischievous spin on the reception of refugees, whilst Alex Fohl will be accompanied by cellist André Mergenthaler to plunge into the poetic universe of Ed Webster.

ASTI will also be offering a traditional cocktail stand, as well as Middle Eastern cooking provided by refugee volunteers, enabling visitors to enjoy specialties from Iraq, Syria and Palestine as well as coffee from Ethiopia. Funds raised will benefit ASTI projects with asylum seekers, refugees and the undocumented.

The Village Gastronomique will also offer Cape Verdean food with the Amikunhos association, Spanish with the Fédération des Associations espagnoles, French with Amis de l'Aveyron, and Portuguese with UNIÃO.

 Entry is free and available between 11:00 and 18:00. For more information, click here. 

Photo by Eric Chenal