Buergbrennen

If you ever happen to be in Luxembourg in February then on one evening (the first Sunday in Lent) you might just feel that you have stumbled upon a huge witchcraft gathering. People get together in the Petrusse valley (google the exact location as it has changed over the years) and light up a HUGE cross. Then they watch it burn. Burn, baby, burn! 

There are little tents around where you can buy some snack food and drinks but there is really not much else going on.

The idea of the event is that with this, we burn away the winter and the spring can come. Often the base of the bonfire is made of old Christmas trees on top of which then the cross is erected. In times past this was a pagan event but with Christianity the event was 'rebranded' as a Christian celebration, as many pagan events were in order to appease to the general public.

We have been to watch the bonfire and it is good fun! 

The Duck Race

Luxembourg is a place with a lot of activities. Some might seem rather strange to the innocent tourist or expatriate who happen to be in this country. Most are however activities that one should participate in at least once to make their stay in Luxembourg really local.

In April you have the change to take part in the Duck Race, first held in 2002, where thousands of bath ducks 'swim' down the Petrusse in Luxembourg City. It is a nice event usually starting around lunchtimewith of course vendors for cremant, beer, snacks ... some entertainment ... and then the grand finale!

You can purchase a duck (or several) to participate. They are all gathered together and then released.

Here they come! 

Excited onlookers

The ducks are numbered 

and the duck that reaches the finish line first wins a prize. As far as I know, the profits go to a good cause.  

More information about current year's event can be found by searching online for Luxembourg Duck Race...