Customs and traditions of Luxembourg, national character traits, characteristic rituals. Customs and traditions of Luxembourg

Formally, there are as many as three main languages ​​in Luxembourg, each of which is spoken by the majority of the country's population. At the same time, the official languages ​​included in the constitution and taught in schools are German and French. In oral speech, in everyday communication, residents express themselves in the Luxembourgish language (or Lötzemburgesh). It is based on Low German dialects mixed with French words and expressions.

The writing is based on the Latin alphabet. Parliamentary affairs, trade relations, chancellery and government decrees are conducted in French, which is also studied in high school. German is the language of the media and is also studied by elementary school students.

However, we must not forget about the international English language. Part of the population also speaks it, especially English is common in the tourism sector.

Religion

Prevailing religion Luxembourg is Catholic Christianity (97% of the population), it is not for nothing that this country is considered a stronghold catholic faith in Europe. In addition, representatives of Protestantism and Judaism live in the country.

Also, there are about 5 thousand Orthodox citizens in the country. Mostly these are immigrants from Greece, but there are also Russians. Orthodoxy is included in the list of official denominations in Luxembourg. There is an opportunity to visit the Greek, Russian, Serbian and Romanian parishes.

Behavior rules

The most important rule that a visitor must adhere to Luxembourg the tourist is polite and respectful towards the locals. There is no doubt about the same manifestations on their part.

Cheeky and noisy behavior in in public places will not arouse approval, as well as being late for meetings, Luxembourgers value punctuality.

It must be remembered that the power of religious influence on daily life the country is quite large. So, during a meal, it is often supposed to pray or cross the bread before starting to eat it.

Luxembourg National Holidays:

• 1st of January - New Year;
• March-April - Easter and Easter Monday;
• May 1 - Labor Day;
• May - the Ascension of the Lord;
• May-June - Spirits Day;
• June 23 - National holiday, Birthday of the Grand Duke of Luxembourg;
• August 15 - Dormition;
• November 1-2 - All Saints Day;
• November 2 - Remembrance Day;
• December 25 - Christmas;
• December 26 - St. Stephen's Day.

On the geographic map Luxembourg is a tiny triangle in northwest Europe, between France, Germany and Belgium. It has a length of 79 km from north to south, and only 55 km from west to east. This is one of the smallest states in Europe. But its inhabitants consider themselves to be an independent people. On the facades of many houses there is a traditional inscription: "We want to remain who we are."

General information

Luxembourg is a highly industrial state. Its bowels are rich in minerals. The hills of Luxembourg, especially with iron ore. The development of ore deposits began in the first centuries of our era, which largely determined the economic development of the country. At present, mining and ferrous metallurgy account for 80% of all its industrial production. The economy is highly dependent on exports. There are many German and Belgian companies in Luxembourg. Rural River Moselle Luxemburg An important role in it is played by dairy and beef cattle breeding (large cattle and sheep). Agriculture, fruit growing and viticulture are also developed. Gardens are an integral part of the Luxembourg landscape. They cover the entire valley of the Moselle and its tributaries. The cultivation of flowers is a matter of particular concern.

Most of the traffic goes by rail. For every 100 km2 there are more than 10 km railways, the main of which crosses the country from north to south, from the ports North Sea via Luxembourg to France. Length highways- 5 thousand km. Inland water transport is carried out along the Moselle River.
Continuation

State history

At the end of the 7th century, the population of the territory of modern Luxembourg was converted to Christianity thanks to the Monk Willibrord, who founded a Benedictine monastery there. In the Middle Ages, the land was included alternately in the Frankish kingdom of Austrasia, then in the Holy Roman Empire, and later in Lorraine. In 963, he gained independence as a result of the exchange of strategic territories. The fact is that on its territory there was a fortified castle - Lisilinburg (Small fortress), which laid the foundation for the state. Siegfried stood at the head of this tiny domain. His descendants expanded their territories slightly through wars, political marriages, inheritances and treaties. In 1060, Conrad was proclaimed the first Count of Luxembourg. His great-great-granddaughter became the famous ruler Ermesinda, and her great-grandson Henry VII, in turn, was the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire since 1308. In 1354 the county of Luxembourg became a duchy. But in 1443 Elizabeth Gerlitz, niece of the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire Sigismund, was forced to cede this possession to Philip III, Duke of Burgundy.

Anthem of Luxembourg

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A land of tranquility

Not every fan of traveling around Europe knows that the city of Schengen is located in Luxembourg, and the Grand Duchy is one of the founders of the European Union. Luxembourg is one of the three capitals of the European Community, along with Brussels, where the EU headquarters is located, and Strasbourg, the seat of the European Parliament. It houses the Council of Europe, the European Court of Justice, the European Court of Accounts, the General Secretariat of the European Parliament, the European Investment Bank, and several departments of the European Commissions. It is no coincidence that politicians and financiers from all over the world come here.

But now about everything in order. When I arrived in Luxembourg, the first thing that struck me was not the largest and most beautiful single-arch bridge in the world, which the people of Luxembourg are justly proud of. And not the magnificent mountains overlooked by the so-called "Balcony of Europe". Although he also makes an impression. And what a blessing! Still, the first thing that struck me in this small principality was the toothbrushes. Yes, seemingly ordinary toothbrushes. Imagine, after visiting a cafe, you go to wash your hands and find small machines near the washbasins, into which you can throw one euro and a packaged toothbrush will appear from them, with toothpaste inside the handle! Click, and toothpaste already on the brush. You look at this transparent pen and you see how much more bright toothpaste there is, and if you can brush your teeth again. Amazing customer care, isn't it?

The beauties of Luxembourg

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Luxembourger

On May 9, 2005, the European Union celebrated its 55th anniversary. It was on this day fifty-five years ago, in 1950, that French Foreign Minister Robert Schumann formally approached Germany with a proposal to unite the coal and steel industries of France and the Federal Republic of Germany. The corresponding agreement was concluded in the next, in 1951, but, nevertheless, the Europeans agreed that the birthday of the EU should be considered May 9, 1950. The very day that Robert Schumann launched a truly historic initiative. Europe Day - this is now the name of this holiday.

Strictly speaking, the European Union in the form in which we know it today was formed much later - on February 7, 1992, and before that ...

V summary the history of the European Union looks like this: on May 9, 1950, Robert Schumann turned to the FRG with a proposal that sounded very, by the way, and was immediately taken up by the German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer. Only five years have passed since the end of World War II, its devastating consequences felt not only in the economy, but also in the psychology of people who were recently on opposite sides of the trenches. The elimination of the deep contradictions between these two countries, the unification of the two key industries made Europe more stable and safer.

Travel guides and more

Ozone

One of the smallest countries on the planet, Luxembourg gives the impression of being reserved and reserved. younger brother in a large and motley European family. The local residents are calm and solid, good-natured and correct, they easily come to the aid of guests who are lost in the ancient streets of the duchy. For tourists, the traditions of Luxembourg in many ways seem to be similar to the Belgian or even German, which is not at all surprising - the close proximity of these countries left some imprint on the customs and mores local residents.

Polyglots and foodies

Residents of the duchy from childhood get acquainted not only with the history of their country, its literature and the exact sciences, but also with several foreign languages... Newspapers are published here in German and French, it is customary to communicate with tourists in English, and the local dialect is used only at the everyday level. To keep up with modern realities, a local resident must know at least three or four languages, and therefore the desire to get a good education- the tradition of Luxembourg, which everyone has to observe here.
National cuisine duchies resemble in part the French, and German, and Belgian, and therefore the local chefs and housewives are also polyglots, only culinary. Guests will certainly be served fish or game, accompanied by excellent white wines. Brewing beer is another Luxembourg culinary tradition. It is similar to the Belgian one and has a special bright taste.

In honor of the flowers and the duke

Luxembourg boasts one of the highest living standards in the European Union, and therefore great amount its residents deserve holidays:

• Emeshen, hosted on the first Easter Monday, is accompanied by numerous fairs and exhibitions. The main arena, where the sale of souvenirs from traditional crafts of Luxembourg takes place, is located at the Fish Market in the capital of the duchy.
• The festival of the first flowers in the town of Wiltz in the Ardennes gathers fans of costumed processions, and the March of the Sheep - young sheep and their owners dressed up and painted on the occasion of the celebration.
• A torchlight procession and fireworks adorn the cities of Luxembourg on the occasion of the Grand Duke's birthday, and dance processions and pantomime scenes can be seen here during the Cor de Capuchin festival in the height of summer.

The birth of modern Luxembourg is associated with the name of Count Siegfried of Ardennes, who in 963 AD. e. built a castle and laid the foundation for a dynasty, whose representatives occupied the thrones of all largest countries Europe. Since the end of the Middle Ages, the rulers of Burgundy, Spain, France, Austria and Prussia fought for the possession of the city of Siegfried. More than 20 times in 400 years, the city was captured, destroyed and rebuilt, and as a result, the most powerful fortress in Europe after Gibraltar was built here.

After long wars, Belgium and Luxembourg in 1713 came under the rule of the Austrian Habsburgs and a relatively peaceful period began.

It was interrupted French Revolution... Republican troops entered Luxembourg in 1795, and during Napoleonic Wars the area remained under French rule. At the Congress of Vienna in 1814-1815, the European powers for the first time singled out Luxembourg as a Grand Duchy and handed it over to King William I of the Netherlands in exchange for the former possessions, which were annexed to the Duchy of Hesse. Luxembourg, however, was simultaneously included in the confederation of independent states - the German Confederation, and the Prussian troops were allowed to maintain their garrison in the capital's fortress.

The next change took place in 1830, when Belgium rebelled, also belonging to William I. With the exception of the capital, which was held by the Prussian garrison, all of Luxembourg joined the rebels. Trying to overcome the split in the region, the great powers in 1831 proposed to divide Luxembourg: its western part with a French-speaking population became a province of independent Belgium. This decision was finally approved by the London Treaty of 1839, and William remained the ruler of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, greatly reduced in size. The great powers made it clear that they view the duchy as an independent state from the Netherlands, connected only by personal union with the ruler of this country. In 1842 Luxembourg joined the Customs Union of the German States, founded in 1834. With the collapse of the German Confederation in 1866, the prolonged presence of the Prussian garrison in the city of Luxembourg began to displease France. King William III of the Netherlands offered to sell his rights to the Grand Duchy to Napoleon III, but at this time broke out acute conflict between France and Prussia. The Second London Conference met in May 1867, and the London Treaty, signed in September of that year, resolved the pressing controversy. The Prussian garrison was withdrawn from the city of Luxembourg, the fortress was liquidated. The independence and neutrality of Luxembourg were proclaimed. The throne in the Grand Duchy remained the privilege of the Nassau dynasty.

Personal union with the Netherlands was interrupted in 1890 when William III died and his daughter Wilhelmina inherited the Dutch throne. The Grand Duchy passed to another branch of the House of Nassau, and the Grand Duke Adolphus took over. After the death of Adolf in 1905, the throne was taken by his son Wilhelm, who ruled until 1912. Then the reign of his daughter, Grand Duchess Maria Adelaide, began.

On August 2, 1914, Luxembourg was captured by Germany. Simultaneously german troops entered Belgium. The German foreign minister promised Luxembourg to pay reparations for violating its neutrality, and the occupation of the country continued until the end of World War I. With the restoration of independence in 1918, a number of changes took place in Luxembourg. On January 9, 1919, Maria Adelaide abdicated in favor of her sister Charlotte. The latter received an overwhelming majority of votes in a referendum held in 1919 to decide whether Luxembourg wished to remain a Grand Duchy with ruling house Nassau. At the same time, constitutional reforms began in the spirit of democratization.

At the plebiscite of 1919, the population of Luxembourg expressed a desire to preserve the country's independence, but at the same time voted for an economic union with France.

However, for the sake of improving relations with Belgium, France rejected this proposal and thereby prompted Luxembourg to conclude an agreement with Belgium. As a result, in 1921, a railway, customs and monetary union with Belgium that had been in effect for half a century was established.

Luxembourg's neutrality was violated for the second time by Germany when Wehrmacht troops entered the country on May 10, 1940. The Grand Duchess and members of her government fled to France, and after the surrender of the latter, they organized the government of Luxembourg in exile, located in London and Montreal.

The German occupation was followed by the annexation of Luxembourg to the Hitlerite Reich in August 1942. In response, the population of the country declared a general strike, to which the Germans responded with massive repression. About 30 thousand residents, or more than 10% of the total population, including the majority of young men, were arrested and expelled from the country.

In September 1944, the Allied forces liberated Luxembourg, and on September 23, the exiled government returned to its homeland. The northern regions of Luxembourg were again captured by German troops during the offensive in the Ardennes and finally liberated only in January 1945.

Luxembourg took part in many post-war international agreements. He participated in the founding of the UN, the Benelux (which also included Belgium and the Netherlands), NATO and the EU. Luxembourg's role in the Council of Europe is also significant.

Luxembourg signed the Schengen Agreement in June 1990, which abolished border controls in the Benelux countries, France and Germany.

In February 1992, the country signed the Maastricht Treaty. Two representatives of Luxembourg - Gaston Thorne (1981-1984) and Jacques Santer (since 1995) - served as presidents of the EU commissions.

Population

Luxembourg population according to data for 2008 more than 480 thousand people. About 90,000 of them live in Luxembourg and the suburbs. 32% of the population are foreigners. Population density: about 160 people per 1 sq. km. The vast majority of Luxembourgers - about 90% - live in cities. The rural population is only 10%.

The Celts, Franks and Germanic tribes who migrated through the area before and after the Roman invasion are the ancestors of the modern inhabitants of Luxembourg. The country has its own language - Luxembourgish, which is based on a dialect German language with numerous borrowings from the French language.

The population of Luxembourg was 300 thousand people in 1930, 291 thousand in 1947 and 385 thousand in 1991. The population is now over 460 thousand people. During World War II, there was a sharp decline in population, especially male, but this loss was offset by population growth after 1950. Almost all of the increase is the result of immigration. In the capital, there are about 140 thousand people of foreign origin (mainly Portuguese and Italians) - about a third of the total population of the country.

The birth rate has decreased from 31 per 1000 people at the beginning of the 20th century. to 11 in the 21st century, and the death rate is 8.78 per 1000 people. The infant mortality rate is 4.65 per 1,000 live births. Life expectancy in Luxembourg is 74.38 for men and 81.15 for women.

Most of the population is concentrated in the southern part of the country. The capital city of Luxembourg had a population of 77.4 thousand people (1996). Other cities with a population of over 15 thousand people are Esch-sur-Alzette (24.6 thousand), Differdange (16.4 thousand) and Dudelange (16 thousand). Important tourist centers are Echternach and Mondorf-les-Bains.

• 0-14 years old - 19% (men - about 48 thousand people; women - almost 46 thousand people).
• 15-64 years - 67% (men - almost 156 thousand people; women - more than 149 thousand people).
• 65 years and older - 14% (men - about 32 thousand people; women - more than 43 thousand people).

Average life expectancy: 77 years (men - 74 years, women - 81 years).

Luxembourg is an urban country: 2/3 of its population live in 16 cities. The largest of them are located in the south - Luxembourg, Eschsur-Alzette, Differdange and Petange.

Most Big city in the north - Wiltz (more than 5 thousand people). Towns with a population of up to 5 thousand predominate, not much different from large rural settlements, which have a completely urban look. Central to urban architecture is usually the monumental Catholic cathedral. Particularly famous for Cathedral Notre Dame in the city of Luxembourg, decorated with numerous sculptures in the style of the ReGibraltar of the North on the Goat Hill Luxembourgness. The country has preserved many ancient monuments, among which feudal castles with high stone towers are especially interesting.

Language

French and German are official languages but Luxembourgish, the Moselle-Frankish dialect, became the national language in 1984 and became the everyday language of the indigenous Luxembourgers. Widely used and English language. French most commonly used for formal ceremonies.

Religion

The predominant religion is Roman Catholic (97%), but the constitution guarantees freedom of religion in large cities there are small Protestant and Jewish communities.

Luxembourg is a small European county, characteristic features which are high level life, civilization of the local population. Visitors often pay attention to the restraint and detachment of Luxembourgers, who are accustomed to a quiet life in a narrow circle of relatives and few friends. But at the same time, the inhabitants of Luxembourg remain benevolent and polite in relation to both newcomers and simply strangers.

On the streets of the city, you will hardly have to witness a verbal skirmish, since the characteristic feature of the Luxembourgers is equanimity. Paradoxically, with the external coldness, city residents easily respond to other people's problems and misfortunes.

Traditions and customs of Luxembourg

Tourists who are going to visit Luxembourg should remember the unchanging rule of the duchy - courtesy and respect for the indigenous population. Lovers of noisy and cheeky behavior who are late for planned events will be condemned and criticized.

One of the features of Luxembourg is also the preservation and enhancement of national traditions. For this, a cultural union was created, in charge of which the centuries-old history of the state and everything connected with it. Interesting cultural life cities. Luxembourgers have an extraordinary love of music, which is why there are a lot of different orchestras in the city. The government has also established awards in the field of art and literature, which annually helps to find talented people and reveal their capabilities.

Surprisingly, but indigenous population the city of Luxembourg practically does not participate in nightlife cities. The entertainment venues and events are designed for visitors, and the prices for entertainment are much higher than in any other corner of the state.

The inhabitants of the duchy are distinguished by their pedantry, excellent ability to work, punctuality, accuracy in everything. These character traits were adopted by the Luxembourgers from their neighbors, the Germans and the French. To innovations in various industries The inhabitants of Luxembourg are wary and distrustful of life, which is probably why many of the benefits of civilization have found a place in the well-functioning life of the townspeople for a long time.

An interesting fact about Luxembourg is that crimes are extremely rare here. Residents of the city literally know each other by sight, and it is impossible to commit, and even more so to hide the offense. But despite this, the information life of the city is very developed, radio and television are functioning, various newspapers are published.

Religion and everything about it

As for religion, then most of the population of Luxembourg professes Catholic Christianity. Along with this, representatives of Protestantism and Judaism can also be found in the country.

In addition, Orthodox Christians also live in Luxembourg. These are mainly immigrants from Russia and Greece. Orthodoxy is a recognized religion in the country, so you can visit Orthodox churches.

The piety of the Luxembourgers is so great that you can often see people praying and baptizing bread before eating.