This weekend (5 to 6 March 2022) marks the start of "Buergbrennen" festivities in Luxembourg and surrounding areas.

Traditionally celebrated on the first Sunday after Carnival (or the first Sunday of Lent), Buergbrennen sees different municipalities across the Grand Duchy light huge bonfires to symbolically burn or chase away the winter.

Buergbrennen, which translates literally to "castle burning", is based on a pagan custom and symbolises the arrival of spring. Each year, locals come together to watch the wooden stakes with crosses burn down whilst enjoying traditional Luxembourgish food and drinks. 

Usually it is the local youth club or another organisation that erects the wooden structure, using flammable materials such as branches, straw, logs and even old Christmas trees. Many municipalities also organise a torchlit procession from the town or village to the bonfire.

Each municipality organises its own Buergbrennen festivities and the date can vary (Saturday or Sunday after Carnival) depending on the place.

This year, various districts of Luxembourg City will host their Buergbrennen celebrations on Saturday 5 and / or Sunday 6 March 2022.

Where (and when) to celebrate Buergbrennen this weekend 

Saturday 5 March 2022

- Mondercange (south-western Luxembourg) at 19:00; organised by Monnerecher Guiden & Scouten. Details available on Facebook;

- Bettendorf (eastern Luxembourg) at 19:30; organised by Pompjees-Musik Bettenduerf. Details available here;

- Fentange (southern Luxembourg) at 19:30; organised by Centre d'Incendie et de Secours Hesper. Details available here

Sunday 6 March 2022

- Hunsdorf (central Luxembourg) from 11:30 on; organised by Hensdrëfer Duerffrënn. Details available here;

- Hobscheid (western Luxembourg) from 16:00 on; organised by Joc Habscht. Details available here;

- Sandweiler (southern Luxembourg) at 17:00; organised by Amicale vun den Sandweiler Pompjeeen. Details available here;

- Junglinster (central Luxembourg) at 18:30; organised by LGS St. Martin Jonglënster. Details available here;

- Strassen (central Luxembourg) at 18:45; organised by the municipality of Strassen. Details available here;

- Walferdange (central Luxembourg) at 19:00; organised by Walfer Guiden a Scouten. Details available here;

- Contern (southern Luxembourg) at 19:00; organised by Club des Jeunes Contern. Details available here;

- Niederanven (north-eastern Luxembourg) at 19:00; organised by Guiden a Scouten Nidderaanwen and Buergfrënn Nidderaanwen. Details available here;

- Betzdorf (eastern Luxembourg) at 19:00; organised by Club des Jeunes Betzder. Details available here;

- Oberdonven (south-eastern Luxembourg) at 19:00; organised by Amicale des sapeurs-pompiers Uewerdonwen. Details available here;

- Saeul (western Luxembourg) at 19:30; organised by Sëller Jugend. Details available here;

This is just a selection of the many Buergbrennen festivities taking place across Luxembourg this weekend.