Credit: Ievgenii Karanov, Chronicle.lu
On Saturday 7 June 2025, the Guides and Scouts of Pétange celebrated their 100th anniversary with an official ceremony at the Home St Hubert in Pétange.
The ceremony was attended by around 90 people, marking the start of the festivities, which took place in Pétange Park. The programme featured cultural and musical contributions, an exhibition on 100 years of scouting history, entertainment and games for all ages, as well as food and drinks.
The opening featured speeches by Max Hahn, Minister for Family, Solidarity, Living Together and Reception, a representative of the scouting movement, MP Marc Spautz, Parliamentary Scout Representative and a representative of the municipality of Pétange.
“Many people associate scouting with tents, campfires, nature and uniforms. But for me, it’s primarily about values such as respect and solidarity, which, unfortunately, are not very visible in the world today,” Minister Hahn told Chronicle.lu. He added: “I would even go so far as to say that some people who are currently going off track should be required to join the scouts, because it helps develop understanding, empathy, and the realisation that working together is better than going it alone.”
According to group leader the Guides and Scouts of Pétange, Claire Dording, the youth organisation currently comprises around 60 children and young people, aged six to eighteen, who regularly take part in scouting activities. She added that around 40 adults also support the groups in various roles.
Claire Dording explained that the group’s core activities revolve around regular outdoor gatherings, primarily held on Saturday afternoons at their forest chalet, and include games, hiking, crafting, cooking over an open fire, and occasional overnight stays or week-long summer camps. “A lot of community activities, a lot working together, teamwork, learning the main spirit activities,” she added.
The official ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of the Guides and Scouts of Pétange concluded with a celebratory cake shared among all attendees, after which the festivities continued with various activities in Pétange Park.
