#Buergbrennen

[almanach-international]

9 mars : les Luxembourgeois célèbrent la fin de l’hiver

Ce dimanche, le premier du Carême, est appelé le Dimanche des brandons (Buergbrennen). Ce soir-là (ou la veille au soir, cel dépend des localités), on allume d'immenses bûchers dont la mission est de chasser l'hiver. Leur forme peut varier – parfois il s'agit d'un petit château (buerg), mais pour la plupart ils ont la forme d'un bûcher géant avec une croix au milieu.

Le feu de la Buerg (origine du mot latin comburere qui signifie brûler) et matérialisé par un assemblage de bois, foin et autres matériaux inflammables, est censé mettre un terme à la froide saison et souhaiter la bienvenue au printemps. L’événement est aujourd’hui accompagné d’une fête de quartier proposant aux spectateurs boissons chaudes et grillades. La mise à feu de la Buerg est généralement précédée d'un cortège aux flambeaux, le « Fakelzuch ».

Cette fête est très ancienne, elle était jadis réservée aux hommes. On fait remonter la coutume des bûchers aux célébrations du Nouvel an dans la Rome antique qui avait lieu le 1er mars. Mais, cette pratique semble plus ancienne encore, héritière de cultes païens de sortie de l’hiver que l’on célèbre à différentes dates. Au XXe siècle, la coutume tendait à disparaître, elle a été relancée depuis une trentaine d’années pour devenir un élément identique du Luxembourg alors que dans la région, en Moselle  (la fête des brandons), en Wallonie (le dimanche des Bures), dans l’Eifel, Soabe-alémanique (Hüttenbrennen ou Funkenfeuer) et même en Suisse, elle est tombée en désuétude.

Presque tous les villages, petits ou grands, organisent leur propre grand feu. Dans certaines localités, comme la ville de Dudelange, une procession aux flambeaux est organisée la veille.

Un article de l'Almanach international des éditions BiblioMonde, 8 mars 2025

[marcio666]

Buergbrennen 2025 - Tradição luxemburguesa, conhecido como “domingo das fogueiras”, celebrado no primeiro domingo após o Carnaval,despedindo do inverno e celebração da primavera

[nomorediana]

[amaliaofnassau]

hi! sorry if this is late and you don't want to answer but I saw that you reblogged the "i'm not from the USA" ask set a few weeks ago and I wanted to send you questions but I haven't had the chance before. So here they are now: 1.,2.,4.,7.,8.,13.,15.,16.,17.,19.,20.,22.,23.,24.,25.,30. I'm interested in all your answers but if they are too many you can choose which ones to answer. I hope you have a wonderful week!

Hi! First of all, sorry for answering only now, but I had exams the past days, (still have 5 left but having a 6 days “break” now) and I usually dont get asks so I rarely check them ahaha

So if you don’t know, I’m from teeny tiny Luxembourg :)

1. favourite place in your country?

Ugh hard to tell but I guess the Corniche in Luxembourg city cause it’s so gorgeous, you have a breathtaking view at the old part and I have so many beautiful memories !

2. do you prefer spending your holidays in your country or travel abroad?

Abroad; Lux is such a small country that sometimes you just need to get out, plus being in the centre of Europe, it’s so easy to travel abroad

4. favourite dish specific for your country?

I guess Kniddelen, it’s hard to describe but it’s basically little dough balls  you “cook” in hot water and later serve it normally with cream and bacon, since i’m a vegetarian, i eat it with veggies 

7. three words from your native language that you like the most?

Luxembourgish is a really weird language so there are a few funny ones but I just love the word deckelsmouck which literally means a toad with a cap, dat ass which simply means this is but could be interpreted differently and then Keisecker which is a hedgehog

8. do you get confused with other nationalities? if so, which ones and by whom?

Yes, most people often think I’m German because of the language, and German people often think we’re Dutch 

13. does your country (or family) have any specific superstitions or traditions that might seem strange to outsiders?

I don’t know if it’s strange but at the end of winter, we have a celebration called “Buergbrennen” where we burn some kind of castle made out of wood and straw in order to “burn winter”

15. a saying, joke, or hermetic meme that only people from your country will get?

there are so many things which are mostly related to luxembourg being a very small country where everyone know everyone (which is really no joke, even politicians and more famous people”)

16. which stereotype about your country you hate the most and which one you somewhat agree with?

I hate the stereotype that there are only banks here. There are a lot of banks sure, but beside of that, Luxembourg is a beautiful country and I really wouldn’t want to live anywhere else! A stereotype which is true is probably that it always rains!

17. are you interested in your country’s history?

Yes!

19. do you like your country’s flag and/or emblem? what about the national anthem?

I like the colours of the flag, it’s just really annoying that a lot of people always confuse it with the Dutch flag.. And for the national anthem, yes it somehow makes me really patriotic :P

20. which sport is The Sport in your country?

Most people love soccer, but Cycling is also really popular, especially because we had some really good cyclers who even won the Tour de France

22. what makes you proud about your country? what makes you ashamed?

That it played a significant role in the construction of the European Union and that it’s so multicultural and open country, I love that. Which makes me ashamed is that there are still some xenophobic people here and in general the treatment of refugees by the EU and therefore also Luxembourg. 

23. which alcoholic beverage is the favoured one in your country?

Crémant!

24. what other nation is joked about most often in your country?

I guess France, which is funny cause a lot of Luxembourgers love to go there on vacation (but I love France, my Grandma was French and I study there

25. would you like to come from another place, be born in another country?

No, absolutely not. I consider myself really lucky to be born here, I see it as a huge privilege

30. do you have people of different nationalities in your family?

Yes. My aunt’s husband is Dutch, my Grandmother was French, my cousin’s husband is also French and her mother is Belgian, my other cousin’s husband is from Switzerland, etc...

That was a lot of fun to answer and nice distraction from my exams, thank you! Hope you have a wonderful week too!

[kisskewl]

Buergbrennen #Buergbrennen #cross #fire #Beggen #luxembourgcity #Luxembourg (at Beggen, Luxembourg, Luxembourg)

[gwendolynlerman]

Discovering the world

Luxembourg 🇱🇺

Basic facts

Official name: Grand-Duché de Luxembourg​/Großherzogtum Luxemburg/Groussherzogtum Lëtzebuerg (French/German/Luxembourgish) (Grand Duchy of Luxembourg)

Capital city: Luxembourg City

Population: 660,809 (2023)

Demonym: Luxembourgish

Type of government: unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Head of state: Henri (Grand Duke)

Head of government: Luc Frieden (Prime Minister)

Gross domestic product (purchasing power parity): $96.88 billion (2024)

Gini coefficient of wealth inequality: 29.6% (low) (2021)

Human Development Index: 0.927 (very high) (2022)

Currency: euro (EUR)

Fun fact: It has the highest GDP per capita in the world.

Etymology

The country’s name comes from the Germanic lutilla (“little”) and burg (“fort, castle”).

Geography

Luxembourg is located in Western Europe and borders Belgium to the north and west, Germany to the east, and France to the south.

It has a subtropical highland climate. Temperatures range from −2 °C (28.4 °F) in winter to 23 °C (73.4 °F) in summer. The average annual temperature is 9.7 °C (49.4 °F).

The country is divided into twelve cantons (cantons/Kantone/Kantonen). The largest cities in Luxembourg are Luxembourg City, Esch-sur-Alzette, Differdange, Dudelange, and Pétange.

History

1200-450 BCE: Hallstatt culture

450-1 BCE: La Tène culture

53 BCE-406 CE: Roman Empire

509-840 CE: Kingdom of the Franks

843-855: Kingdom of Middle Francia

855-959: Kingdom of Lotharingia

962-1797: Holy Roman Empire

1684: Siege of Luxembourg

1794-1795: Siege of Luxembourg

1797-1815: First French Republic

1815-1839: German Confederation

1839-present: Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

1867: Luxembourg Crisis

1914-1918: German occupation

1940-1945: German occupation

Economy

Luxembourg mainly imports from and exports to Belgium, Germany, and France. Its top exports are cheese, milk and cream, and iron sections.

Banking and finance account for the majority of the economic output. Services represent 80% of the GDP, followed by industry (15%) and agriculture (5%).

Luxembourg is a member of the Council of Europe, the European Union, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

Demographics

Luxembourgers represent 52.8% of the population, followed by the Portuguese (14.5%), French (7.6%), and Italians (3.7%). The main religion is Christianity, practiced by 73.2% of the population, 63.8% of which is Catholic.

It has a positive net migration rate and a fertility rate of 1.6 children per woman. 92% of the population lives in urban areas. Life expectancy is 82.9 years and the median age is 39.5 years. The literacy rate is 99.8%.

Languages

The official languages of the country are French, German, and Luxembourgish, spoken natively by 16%, 2%, and 52% of the population, respectively.

Culture

Luxembourgish culture is a mix of French and German influences. It is characterized by its music, painting, and photography.

Men traditionally wear a white shirt, a vest, baggy trousers, and boots. Women wear a white blouse, a black vest, a long skirt, and a headdress.

Architecture

Traditional houses in Luxembourg have stone walls and slate roofs.

Cuisine

The Luxembourgish diet is based on dairy products, meat, potatoes, and vegetables. Typical dishes include Bouneschlupp (green bean soup with bacon, potatoes, and onions), Éisleker Ham (thinly sliced ham with fried potatoes and salad), Gromperekichelcher (potato pancakes), Judd mat Gaardebounen (smoked pork collar and broad beans), and Quetschentaart (a fruit tart with plums).

Holidays and festivals

Like other Christian countries, Luxembourg celebrates Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Assumption Day, All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day, Christmas Day, and Saint Stephen’s Day. It also commemorates New Year’s Day, Labor Day, and Europe Day. National Day takes place on June 23.

Other celebrations include the Buergbrennen, a bonfire festival, the Procession of Echternach, when people hop forward and sideways to Saint Willibrord’s crypt, and the Winter Lights Festival.

Procession of Echternach

Landmarks

There is one UNESCO World Heritage Site: City of Luxembourg: its Old Quarters and Fortifications.

Other landmarks include Bock cliff, the Bourscheid Castle, the Grand Ducal Palace, the Mëllerdall Nature Park, and William Square.

Mëllerdall Nature Park

Famous people

Andy Schleck - bicycle racer

Anne Beffort - writer

Désirée Nosbusch - actress

Hugo Gernsback - writer

Jangeli - musician

Jean Steichen - painter and photographer

Josy Barthel - athlete

Léa Linster - chef

Mandy Minella - tennis player

Vicky Leandros - singer

Léa Linster

You can find out more about life in Luxembourg in this article and this video.

[sultan-san13]

Towards the end of the February, people in Luxembourg and other European countries start celebrating the Celtic tradition of Buergbrennen, in which a large Cross is raised and set on fire

marking the end of winter and beginning of the spring

[brookston]

Holidays 3.5

Act Goofy Day

Alimony Equality Day

Arivee de l’Evangile (Gospel Day; French Polynesia)

Babysitter Safety Day

Big Boots Brew Day

Boston Massacre Day (Massachusetts)

Buergbrennen (Luxembourg) [1st Sunday in Lent]

Cheongwoldaeboreum (Korean Folk Festival; North Korea)

Cinco de Marcho

Crispus Attucks Day

Custom Chief’s Day (Vanuatu)

Day of Physical Culture and Sport (Azerbaijan)

Diasia (Festival of Zeus Meilikhios; Ancient Greece)

Girl Scout Sabbath [1st Sunday]

Global Marathon For, By and About Women in Engineering & Technology begins

Hula Hoop Day

International Day of the Seal

Learn from Lei Feng Day (China)

Mother-in-Law's Day

Multiple Personalities Day

Namesake Day [1st Sunday of Name Week]

National Absinthe Day

National Cheese Doodle Day

National Potty Dance Day

National Tree Planting Day (Iran)

National Words Matter Week begins [1st Sunday]

Navigium Isis (a.k.a. Ploiaphaesia/The Festival of Navigation; Ancient Rome)

Ramen Noodles Day

St. Piran’s Day (Cornwall)

Say Hi to Mom Day

Spread the Word to End the Word Day

Stapler Day

Stop the Clocks Day

Temperance Day

Vasaloppet (Sweden) [1st Sunday]

World Book Day (Ireland, UK)

World Read Aloud Day

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 3.1

Ahh Kavan Day (New Zealand)

Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day

Baba Marta (Bulgaria)

Beer Day (Iceland)

Be Positive, Do Something Positive Day

Bjórdagurinn or Bjórdagu (a.k.a. Beer Day; Iceland)

Blessing of the Bock (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Bravo Day (a.k.a. Nuclear Victims Remembrance Day; Marshall Islands)

Buergbrennen (Luxembourg) [1st Sunday in Lent]

Celebrate Your Name Week begins [Sunday of 1st Full Week]

Chalanda Marz (Switzerland)

Cheesefare Sunday (Orthodox Christian) [Last Sunday before Lent]

Dadgum That’s Good Day

Day of the Balearic Islands

Day to Mourn the Victims of Land Mines

Finisher’s Medal Day [1st Sunday]

FM Radio Day

Fruit Compote Day

Girl Scout Sabbath [1st Sunday]

Heroes’ Day (Paraguay)

Hollow Earth Day

Independence Day (South Korea; declared from Japan, 1919)

Independence Day (Bosnia and Herzegovina; from Yugoslavia, 1992)

International Association for Women of Color Day

International Day of the Seal

International Hug a Librarian Day

International Wheelchair Day

Kalends of March (Ancient Rome)

Make Time for a Cuppa begins (UK) [Until 3.8]

Martenitsa (Bulgaria)

Mărțișor (Moldova, Romania)

Matronalia (Women’s Festival to Juno; Ancient Rome)

Namesake Day [1st Sunday of Name Week]

National Cursed Soldiers Remembrance Day (Poland)

National Dadgum That’s Good Day

National Day of Action

National Fruit Compote Day

National Hotel Slipper Day

National Horse Protection Day

National Pig Day

National Wedding Planning Day

National Words Matter Week begins [1st Sunday]

Navii’s Day (a.k.a. Vjunitci; Asatru/Slavic Pagan)

Nebraska Statehood Day (#37; 1867)

New Year’s Day (Ancient Rome, Pre-Julian)

Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific Day

Ohio Statehood Day (#17; 1803)

Old Roman New Year's Day

Omizutori Matsuri (Water-Drawing Festival; Japan)

Peanut Butter Lovers’ Day

Plan A Solo Vacation Day

ReFired, Not Retired Day

Remembrance Day (Marshall Islands)

Samiljeol (March 1st Movement Remembrance Day; South Korea)

Self-Injury Awareness Day

Share a Smile Day

St. David's Day (a.k.a. Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant; patron saint of Wales)

Time for a Cuppa Days begin (Until 8th; UK)

Vasaloppet (Sweden) [1st Sunday]

Whuppity Scoorie Day (Scotland)

Women of Color Day

World Book Day (Ireland, UK)

World Civil Defence Day

World Compliment Day

Yap Day (Micronesia)

Yellowstone National Park Day

Zero Discrimination Day

[blvckwyrt]

Buergbrennen 2017

[wortlu]

‘Buergbrennen’: Luxemburgo despediu-se do inverno

O Luxemburgo despediu-se este domingo do inverno com a realização da tradicional festa dos tições "Buergbrennen", uma tradição pagã que celebra o início da Primavera. Dezenas de fogueiras e cruxifixos arderam um pouco por todo o país. via wort.lu http://ift.tt/2mxluaZ

[priblic]

Like every year there is this event to chase the evil winter spirits away. This year however did the firefighter decide not to burn a cross, but a “castle” with drawbridge and flag

[ispeakintripleentendres]

This is the castle the winter spirits live in, and we're chasing them away! Also, fires make us feel good because they're warm, remind us of the oxidation process and answer the call of the arsonists in everyone. It rained water and fire on the onlookers... This wasn't a safe event, haha. Buergbrennen is a celebration centred on a huge bonfire which takes place on the first Sunday in Lent in Luxembourg and surrounding areas. It is based on old traditions representing the end of winter and the coming of spring. They normally collect old Christmas trees and make the buerg or bonfire, usually on the top of a neighbouring hill and clad with hay to ensure rapid burning. There is often a cross rising high above the centre of the fire.  The word buerg or burg originates from the Latin burere to burn. (at Niederanven)

[brookston]

Holidays 3.1

Ahh Kavan Day (New Zealand)

Asiatic Fleet Memorial Day

Baba Marta (Bulgaria)

Beer Day (Iceland)

Be Positive, Do Something Positive Day

Bjórdagurinn or Bjórdagu (a.k.a. Beer Day; Iceland)

Blessing of the Bock (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Bravo Day (a.k.a. Nuclear Victims Remembrance Day; Marshall Islands)

Buergbrennen (Luxembourg) [1st Sunday in Lent]

Celebrate Your Name Week begins [Sunday of 1st Full Week]

Chalanda Marz (Switzerland)

Cheesefare Sunday (Orthodox Christian) [Last Sunday before Lent]

Dadgum That’s Good Day

Day of the Balearic Islands

Day to Mourn the Victims of Land Mines

Finisher’s Medal Day [1st Sunday]

FM Radio Day

Fruit Compote Day

Girl Scout Sabbath [1st Sunday]

Heroes’ Day (Paraguay)

Hollow Earth Day

Independence Day (South Korea; declared from Japan, 1919)

Independence Day (Bosnia and Herzegovina; from Yugoslavia, 1992)

International Association for Women of Color Day

International Day of the Seal

International Hug a Librarian Day

International Wheelchair Day

Kalends of March (Ancient Rome)

Make Time for a Cuppa begins (UK) [Until 3.8]

Martenitsa (Bulgaria)

Mărțișor (Moldova, Romania)

Matronalia (Women’s Festival to Juno; Ancient Rome)

Namesake Day [1st Sunday of Name Week]

National Cursed Soldiers Remembrance Day (Poland)

National Dadgum That’s Good Day

National Day of Action

National Fruit Compote Day

National Hotel Slipper Day

National Horse Protection Day

National Pig Day

National Wedding Planning Day

National Words Matter Week begins [1st Sunday]

Navii’s Day (a.k.a. Vjunitci; Asatru/Slavic Pagan)

Nebraska Statehood Day (#37; 1867)

New Year’s Day (Ancient Rome, Pre-Julian)

Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific Day

Ohio Statehood Day (#17; 1803)

Old Roman New Year's Day

Omizutori Matsuri (Water-Drawing Festival; Japan)

Peanut Butter Lovers’ Day

Plan A Solo Vacation Day

ReFired, Not Retired Day

Remembrance Day (Marshall Islands)

Samiljeol (March 1st Movement Remembrance Day; South Korea)

Self-Injury Awareness Day

Share a Smile Day

St. David's Day (a.k.a. Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant; patron saint of Wales)

Time for a Cuppa Days begin (Until 8th; UK)

Vasaloppet (Sweden) [1st Sunday]

Whuppity Scoorie Day (Scotland)

Women of Color Day

World Book Day (Ireland, UK)

World Civil Defence Day

World Compliment Day

Yap Day (Micronesia)

Yellowstone National Park Day

Zero Discrimination Day

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 3.10

Blueberry Popover Day

Buergbrennen (Luxembourg) [1st Sunday in Lent]

Buffy the Vampire Day

Charter Day (Observed; Pennsylvania) [2nd Sunday]

Check Your Batteries Day [2nd Sunday; DST Day]

Check Your Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Day [2nd Sunday; DST Day]

Cheesefare Sunday (Orthodox Christian) [Last Sunday before Lent]

Common Sense Day

Doctor’s Day (Venezuela)

Farvardigan begins (Ancient Persia, Zoroastrians) [10 Days]

Festival of Life in the Cracks

Forgiveness Sunday (Orthodox Christian) [Last Sunday before Lent]

Harriet Tubman Day

Histotechnology Professionals Day

Holmenkellen Day (Winter Festival; Norway) [2nd Sunday]

Holocaust Remembrance Day (Bulgaria)

Hote Matsuri (Shinto Fire Festival; Shiogama, Japan)

International Bagpipe Day

International Be Nice to Jeremy Danner Day

International Day of Awesomeness

Landline Telephone Day

Liberalia (Ancient Rome)

Mario Day

National Pack Your Lunch Day

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Pack Your Lunch Day

Paper Money Day

Salvation Army Day

St. Kessog's Day (patron of Scotland)

Telephone Day

Theatre Day (Azerbaijan)

Tibetan Uprising Day

Turkey Vultures Return to the Living Sign (Canisteo, New York)

Whoopsical Day

World Culture Day [leap years]

World Folk Tales and Fables Week begins [2nd Sunday]

World Glaucoma Week begins [2nd Sunday]

World Salt Awareness Week begins [2nd Week in March]