Luxembourg’s traditional festival, Buergbrennen, is taking place across the country on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 March 2025.
The event, which is traditionally celebrated on the first Sunday after Carnival, brings neighbourhoods together to watch bonfires that symbolise the end of winter and the beginning of spring. In many municipalities, the lighting of the bonfire is preceded by a torch procession, the "Fakelzuch", through the town or village. Also known as "Buergsonnden", the events are usually organised by local scout or youth club organisations and are accompanied by traditional Luxembourg food such as Bouneschlupp (green bean soup), Ierzebulli (pea soup) and Gluhwein (mulled wine).
Buergbrennen festivities are celebrated in most municipalities in the country. Below are a few examples of this year’s events, compiled by Chronicle.lu:
- In Diekirch, festivities begin at 11:45 on Saturday 8 March 2025 at Cité A Bedigen (bei der Sauer). The Amicale Asazzenter Dikrich will serve free soup and drinks (donations welcome). The bonfire will take place at 20:00.
- In Dudelange, festivities commence at Butschebuerger Kapell (chapel) at 18:15 on Saturday 8 March 2025. Following a service, the procession will depart the chapel at 19:15. The bonfire will take place at Dudelange Castle at 19:30.
- Remich will also celebrate Buergbrennen on Saturday 8 March 2025. The cortege will begin near the town hall at approximately 18:30 and go towards the entrance of the forest at Gewännchen. The bonfire will begin at 19:00. Refreshments will be provided.
- In Larochette, Buergbrennen will be celebrated from 18:45 until 21:30 on Saturday 8 March 2025, starting next to the car park of the Filano sports hall. A shuttle bus will be available from Bleech to Birkelt.
- Fentange is holding its Buergbrennen festivities on Saturday 8 March 2025, starting at 17:00. As part of Hesperange Firefighters’ 100-year celebration a fire show by punkrock group, Caledonia Flames, will take place near the cemetery in Fentange at 19:30.
- The celebration in Walferdange is kicking off on Saturday 8 March 2025. The Guides and Scouts of Walferdange (the LGS Mahatma Gandhi Walfer Group) will build a sixteen-metre bonfire, next to Walferdange’s Rugby Field, mastering and learning the craft that has come down through the generations. Spectators are welcome, but are asked to bring snacks and drinks for the scouts. On Sunday 9 March 2025, food stalls open at 17:30, followed by the Fakelzuch at 19:00, from the Centre Culturel Prince Henri (3 Route de Diekirch) to the rugby field, for the lighting of the bonfire. Food and drink will be available.
- Lorentzweiler will celebrate Buergbrennen from 16:00 until 23:00 on Sunday 9 March 2025 on Rue Belle Vue.
- In Niederanven, festivities begin at 18:00 on Sunday 9 March 2025 on Rue de Munsbach. Food, including soup, and drinks will be available, with the bonfire scheduled for 19:30.
These are just a few examples of the many Buergbrennen festivities taking place across the country next weekend. For more information, visit the websites and/or social media accounts of the various municipalities.
However, the custom of celebrating Buergbrennen is not limited to just those in the Grand Duchy. In Belgium, Wisconsin (US), a village established in the 1840s by immigrant farmers from Luxembourg, the locals construct a “Buerge” each year, from hundreds of wooden pallets and set them alight in celebration of their Luxembourg roots. Traditionally, the fire is lit by the most recently married couple in the village. This year’s Buergbrennen will take place on Saturday 1 March 2025 - one week earlier than the festivities in Luxembourg.
In the past, members of the Grand Ducal family have visited Belgium, Wisconsin and the Luxembourg government sponsors the Luxembourg American Cultural Society and Museum, which is based in the village. Aside from organising Luxembourg-focused events, the centre also assists Americans of Luxembourgish ancestry in applying for dual citizenship.
Since 1987, the village has also hosted an annual festival devoted to Luxembourgish food and culture. In 2015, a local company, established by Mike Ansay, whose parents both hailed from Luxembourg, began importing a variety of food and drink products for the locals to enjoy at the festivities, including beers from the Bofferding brewery, wines from Domaines Vinsmoselle and cider from producer Ramborn.
HOM/SM
