Delano March 2011

March 2011 – Issue 02 – 4€ – www.delano.lu

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Understanding Luxembourg: current affairs, business, lifestyle, Culture

Brewing up: Brasserie Simon’s Betty Fontaine

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Gender quotas are under discussion in boardrooms, cabinet meetings and at dinner parties around Europe. The topic became hot news following the declaration last September by Luxembourg’s EU Commissioner Viviane Reding that she might consider setting quotas as early as 2012, if a meeting planned for this Spring with leading European CEOs does not bring about progress on the number of women in top company boardrooms. Her stance was lent further weight in January when the World Economic Forum set gender quotas for its strategic partner companies, saying they must bring at least 20 percent women to the annual meeting in Davos.

Advocates of gender quotas point quickly to the success of Norway’s programme, which has obliged companies to have at least 40 percent female participation in the boardroom without any subsequent fall in standards. And a slew of converts to the policy of quotas all over Europe say they have been

exasperated at the lack of progress over the past two decades.

But many of the brightest and most successful women in Luxembourg, like Betty Fontaine, are opposed to the notion of quotas. They believe that career progress should be based solely on merit.

However, a cursory glance at the local business media, or a head count at any top-level conference, is enough to realise that women are woefully underrepresented at executive level in most sectors. Favourable social conditions here hardly encourage women to return work when they have started a family.

But there are plenty of women who want to continue their career, and they should be given all the support they can get. That means flexible working hours, more access to child-care facilities and the encouragement to join networks and take up vocational training.

Championing women’s progress in this manner will do much more for the cause of gender equality than the imposition of artificial quotas.

March 2011 - delano - 3

Big decisions follow you around.

At Grant Thornton, we understand that the big decisions you have to make are sometimes difficult, often finely balanced, always with you. To explore this and other big decisions, visit

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contents

46 cover story

Brasserie Simon Betty Fontaine on the brewing business With beers sales on the decline and in the face of competition from multi-national giants, the small brewery in Wiltz is finding new markets under the guidance of its young managing director.

8

8 Current affairs

Women’s work Females in traditionally male roles

14 Played out in public

How the media handled the Schmit affair

18 Foreign affairs

Jean Asselborn steps up to the mark

20 Nuclear upgrade

Inside the Cattenom power plant

22 Atelier debate

Will the venue move to Hollerich?

24

24 business

The cost of winter How the bad weather affected business and insurance companies

52 Lifestyle

56

Networking The British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg

30 Distressed for how long?

The US property market as a hedge

54 Going Native Activities and people in the news

34 Change in the air

56 Culture Choices

37 Irish competition Will Dublin take more funds?

62 Epicureans/Night Owls

Preview of the ALFI Spring Conference

From Architecture in Helsinki to Hugo Gernsback via live cinema

Fine Italian dining, exquisite chocolates and Cuban cigars

38 Art fair economics

Does art.metz help artists?

64 Well-Being

Cryogenic chamber therapy comes to Luxembourg

regulars

SNAPSHOTS

33 THE VIEW FROM ABROAD Nidhi Palta from New Delhi

32 MIDDLE EAST

40 THINK LOCAL Yvonne O’Reilly on life in Luxembourg

36 MARKETING

66 MY OTHER LIFE Valerie Scott’s passion for musical theatre

42 Questions and Answers

Luxembourg making inroads into the Arab World

paperJam’s Grand Prix awards night

British Chamber members grill Jeannot Krecké

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Gender equality

WOMEN’S Work By most measures, things have never been so good for female workers. But is the lack of a work-life balance proving to be the final roadblock to women’s professional success?

David Laurent / Wide

Text: Aaron Grunwald

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current affairs

AMAL CHOURY: work-life balance puts men and women on equal footing

March 8 was International Women’s Day, a moment to reflect on the progress of gender equality. According to the ministry of equal opportunity, only 22 percent of Luxembourg company chiefs are women, below the European average of 28 percent. While women represent 42 percent of the Grand Duchy’s workforce, only 16 percent of board members are female, as are only 25 percent of staff who have any supervisory responsibilities.

For its own assessment, Delano spoke with five leading women working in what historically were male-dominated roles. While Luxembourg has made many strides--particularly over the past decade--balancing career and family remains a significant challenge for women, they say.

Police: Kristin Schmit One of the highest ranking women officers in the Police Grand Ducale is Kristin Schmit, a deputy chief in the Luxembourg City precinct. After studying law in Paris, she joined the force in 2000. That was the year the police merged with the gendarmerie, and for the first time senior officers

were hired directly instead of being recruited from the army. Today she is responsible for a range of human resources issues, serves as a community liaison, and manages public order issues as they arise.

Schmit says she has never encountered any discrimination or undue pressure as a woman officer. “Maybe I’m lucky because I joined in 2000, not in the 80’s,” she suggests. “As opinions were already quite emancipated, it was not a problem being a woman.”

In fact Schmit believes being female is sometimes an advantage. “Women have a different way of negotiating, of seeing the problems. That’s the interesting part.

You have a different way of solving problems.” Female officers are better able to “calm down the situation” and citizens feel more listened-to, she says.

As evidence, Schmit points out the rate of aggression against female officers is much lower than against men, even though women receive the exact same training.

The only gender challenge she sees in her field is the potential difficulty for a woman holding a very high command position being granted family

David Laurent / Wide

MIRIAM MASCHERIN: greater female perspective in the economy is only common sense

David Laurent / Wide

KRISTIN SCHMIT: female officers often can defuse a tense situation faster than men

leave. This does not pose an issue for Schmit at her present rank, but “ if I were the boss, and not the deputy, it could be a problem.”

Technology: Amal Choury Amal Choury worked her way up corporate IT departments, before coming chief information officer of Eurobéton in 2006. Two years later, backed by her then-employer, she launched e-Kenz.

The company delivers SAP business software via the internet to small and mid-sized enterprises across the Greater Region. In January 2011, Dexia BIL named Choury “Woman Business Manager of the Year.”

When Choury presented her business plan to investors, she says “it was not a question of being a man or a woman,” as “the people had already known me for ten years.” However, she knows many women in Luxembourg who have problems advancing their business and their careers. In fact, one reason Choury is “very honoured” to have received the Dexia BIL award is that she believes it is necessary for “other women to be in the spotlight,” as visible role models, precisely because women

March 2011 - delano - 9

current affairs

David Laurent / Wide

NADINE THINNES: has always been treated equally by the Army

are not naturally as good at promoting themselves as men.

Choury is a role model in another way, as her company provides the work-life balance for both sexes that allows women an equal chance for advancement. Her firm offers employees total flex-time and mobility. That means, for example, male staff members sometimes stay home with sick children when needed.

At the moment, Choury is looking to recruit 15 more staff this year. She does not favour one gender, though. “It’s a level playing field. We are half and half, but didn’t plan it that way. But that’s natural, how it should be. I hope it will stay like this.”

Finance: Miriam Mascherin After a career in purchasing and sales, Miriam Mascherin entered the realm of finance in 1999. She ultimately became Luxembourg managing director of the French group Carmignac Gestion, which she helped grow from €200 million to €10 billion in assets under management.

In 2007 Mascherin founded her own firm, Elite Advisors, which today is best

10 - delano - March 2011

known for its €32 million Nobles Crus wine investment fund.

In the early days, Mascherin would attend private banking conferences, where “I’d be the only women there and I’d think ‘where am I?’” She says she was “ lucky” to join the financial world with a foreign-owned company, because at the time “Luxembourg wasn’t yet prepared to give women that sort of opportunity.” Eleven years later, “a lot has changed. There’s a lot more women in finance. There’s a lot more women in higher positions. However, there are not enough women on the boards.”

Akin to Choury, Mascherin reckons women are not as good at networking as their male counterparts. As changing demographics mean women will eventually own most of the world’s wealth, a bigger female presence in the economy “is only common sense.”

“Today there’s definitely a vast improvement” in work-life balance, because companies want to retain highly qualified staff. At the same time, when women want to have children, Mascherin says they still have to accept the need to slow down in their careers for a time. “You’re not going to be doing

what you want to do for the next few years. Even if you think you can, it just doesn’t work.”

Military: Nadine Thinnes After attending the Royal Military Academy in Brussels and practical training in Arlon, Luxembourg Army Captain Nadine Thinnes became a platoon leader in 2006, deploying to Afghanistan in 2007 and to Kosovo in 2010. Today she leads the 180 soldiers of the Command and Instruction Company in Diekirch, which is responsible for basic training, the military vehicle driving school, and the base’s security and recreational facilities.

Thinnes says she experienced “no difficulty” in joining the army and completing her training. “Nobody was surprised, in fact. Maybe because there had already been a woman before me.” Likewise, Thinnes has had no special professional challenges because of her sex.

All new officers, “male and female, have to prove something,” she says. “You have to prove that you’re capable.” Regardless of gender, “most officers follow the same professional path,” Thinnes explains. For example, almost every officer above her

current affairs

Luc Deflorenne/archives

DIANE NOSBUSCH: the sky is the limit for female pilots

Olivier Minaire

GIRLS’ DAY-BOYS’ DAY

in rank has served as a company commander, her present position.

Like all of the women interviewed, Thinnes is self-driven. “I work hard at my job, I always want to do the best,” she says. However, she also sees a challenge in balancing motherhood with a military career. “I think combining the two would be complicated,” as there is no flex-time in the military.

“For the moment my personal choice is not to have children,” says Thinnes. “When you go on deployment, you have to leave your family at home. I think for a woman it’s harder than for a man to leave the children.”

Aviation: Diane Nosbusch One of Luxair’s most senior pilots is Diane Nosbusch, captain of an Embraer jet for the past six years. She joined the company in 1997, as a Fokker turboprop co-pilot, after two years at Lufthansa Cityline. Nosbusch was recruited at a time Luxair saw a generational shift, as a significant number of its pilots retired at the end of the 1990’s. Today she commands flights on all the carrier’s European routes.

As Luxair’s second woman pilot, Nosbusch admits initially “older captains didn’t feel comfortable with female co-pilots.” She heard comments like “women belong in the back serving drinks” and “we don’t know how you will react with your hormones.” However, “things started to change quite quickly at Luxair,” she explains, with an uptick in female pilots being hired and as “younger guys in their 40’s” increasingly became captains.

Like Schmit, Nosbusch sees an upside to being a woman in her craft. “When we ask air traffic control, most of the time they give us the shorter approaches. The boys are jealous!” she says teasingly.

In recent years the airline has given pilots increasingly flexible working hours, which helps Nosbusch balance parenting of her three children with her husband. During her first pregnancy, there was a “ big concern” that she would not return after maternity leave.

That issue evaporated from the carrier’s radar screen when management saw that she and another female pilot both came back after five months “and worked even harder because we wanted to catch up again.”

May 12 marks the 10 th annual Girls’ Day-Boys’ Day, when 13- to 17-year-olds have a chance to learn about careers that break gender stereotypes. Young women spend a day working alongside artisans, scientists and female executives, while young men shadow education, health and social services professionals.

More than 900 students--about twothirds girls and one-third boys--and more than 130 companies participated in 2010. This year the sponsoring government ministers--Nicolas Schmit, Mady Delvaux-Stehres and Françoise Hetto-Gaasch (photo)-hope to best those numbers.

Information for students and companies that wish to participate can be found at www.girls-day.lu and www.boys-day.lu

March 2011 - delano - 11

snapshots

Delano magazine

WILD WILD WEST Photos: David Laurent/Wide

PaperJam Business Club hosted a Western-themed party to mark the launch of Delano. More than 700 cowboys and cowgirls attended the January 27 event at the Cat Club, and were the new magazine’s very first readers. AG

The premiere issue of Delano fresh off the presses

More “Wild Wild West” photos are available at http://gallery.paperjam.lu/paperjam/wil L-R: Cassandra Francis, Jill Kibbey, Steve Anderson

The Wild Wild Cat Club Team

Claude Nesser (Binsfeld) France Clarinval

Valérie Conrot

L-R : Dorte Felgen Jespersen, Mike Koedinger (Maison Moderne), Miriam Rosner (Binsfeld)

L-R: Andrée Lentz, Sophie Kerschen (British Chamber of Commerce)

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Charles Monteverdi (Advantage)

Our clients get 360° attention

Deloitte Luxembourg’s app is

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3/3/11 9:39 AM

CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Schmit affair

PLAYED OUT IN PUBLIC Nicolas Schmit’s run in with the police was the centre of media attention, subject of parliamentary debate and talk in local cafés. How did Luxembourg’s notoriously partisan press treat the controversy, and what is the likely fall out?

Text: Duncan Roberts — Photos: Olivier Minaire

A small notice in the January 14 edition of satirical weekly den neie Feierkrop was enough to spark a political controversy that may yet have far-reaching consequences. Rumours about the deportment of employment minister Nicolas Schmit when he accompanied his son to a police station for questioning had been circulating for some time. Indeed, the incident in question occurred on December 12 last year when Schmit’s 18-year old son and friends were stopped by police in their car in Bonnevoie. What happened next is still a matter of speculation, but the police officer in charge made an official complaint that the young men had “insulted a police officer” and Schmit junior and a friend were called in for questioning relating to that charge on December

DATE LINE February 2011

15. When they appeared at the police station, Nicolas Schmit accompanied his son and requested he be allowed to sit in on the questioning.

ABUSE OF POWER? And this is where the story gets interesting. In her subsequent report, a female officer claims that Schmit abused his power; that he was not just acting as a concerned father but that he referred on numerous occasions to his position as a minister. The report claims that Schmit reminded the officers that he was on the police’s budget commission and that he threatened to ensure that the police would not get any further recruits if charges were brought against his son. He also claimed that the officers who stopped

DOGS WELCOME The family and inFEB tegration ministry launched a campaign to remind retailers, restaurants and facilities managers that dogs accompanying handicapped people have free and total access to all public spaces. The law went into effect in July 2008.

1•

the car had racially abused the boys.

So, why did it take a further month for the incident to reach the attention of the media? Guy Kaiser, editor-in-chief at RTL Radio says his team had received information pertaining to the minister’s behaviour at the beginning of January. “We were in the process of double checking the information to make sure it was clear and precise,” he explains.

“Then (DP deputy) Xavier Bettel asked his parliamentary question, and we went ahead with the story as it was in the public domain.” Bettel had read the notice in the Feierkrop and had asked interior minister Jean-Marie Halsdorf to make public the police report. The minister declined, but soon after the report was published online by RTL. It was Kaiser’s colleague, Nico Graf, who

ILLEGAL CONTROLS European commisFEB sioner Cecilia Malmström said frequent inspections by French customs at the Zoufftgen border crossing violate the Schengen Agreement.

Luxembourg customs raised the 10 km/h speed limit at the frontier after it too was rebuked.

3•

INTEGRATION PLAN Acknowledging imFEB migration’s contribution to Luxembourg, family and integration minister Marie-Josée Jacobs presented the first Action Plan on Integration and Against Discrimination. It calls for increased coordination between government agencies.

9•

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current affairs

We have not heard the last of the consequences of this affair” Claude Karger

received the internal police report and RTL had no problem publishing a redacted version on its website. Names, including the first name of Schmit junior, were blacked out by the editors to protect privacy (a common policy in the Luxembourg media is to omit the surnames of victims and the accused when reporting court cases). But Kaiser was later criticised by other journalists for remarks he made during a radio commentary, in which he questioned the legality of the leaking of the report.

“I said that while journalists have every right to publish confidential information they receive, the question is never asked whether the sender of that information is breaching their own profession’s code of conduct.” Kaiser likens the situation to making public someone’s bank account

16 • feb

HRH Princess Alexandra celebrated her 20 th birthday

it should be. In France the Le Canard enchaîné is a real reference.”

Balanced reporting The Luxembourg media, in any case, has a quite unique relationship with its politicians. Not only are the majority of newspapers openly partisan, but the intimate nature of the country means many journalists and politicians know each other personally. But, says Hansen, that should not prevent journalists from being objective.

“However, I think the myth that Luxembourg journalists are not allowed to write what they want, because the political scene is so small, is wrong.” She was, however, pleasantly surprised that some newspapers, such as the Wort, that might have been tempted to attack

SLOW DOWN The Road Safety Comfeb mission launched a new campaign against speeding. The chance of being killed increases by 50% at 70 km/h and considerably rises above 80 km/h. Last year nearly half of road deaths were aged under 30 and 75% were men.

17 •

Cour Grand-Ducale/ Christian Aschman

BUS RIGHTS The European Parliafeb ment approved a “bus passenger bill of rights” for trips of more than 250 km. The rules --on cancellations, delays and overbookings--come into effect in 2013, joining existing minimum standards for air, boat and rail passengers.

15 •

details via the media. The victim would naturally want to know how the journalist came to be in possession of the information. “That person would quite rightly want to take the banker who leaked the details to court. We are getting more and more information from the police, so some officers are clearly breaching professional secrecy.”

Josée Hansen at the Lëtzeburger Land has little sympathy for Kayser’s stance.

She thinks the leaking of documents is quite right if they are in the public interest, and claims it is not uncommon practice in Luxembourg. “The Feierkrop lives from such cases,” she says.

Nevertheless, Hansen was surprised that the affair was not given more prominence by the Feierkrop. “But the Feierkrop is not taken as seriously here as

NO FOREIGNERS Interior minister feb Jean-Marie Halsdorf said current government regulations prohibit non-Luxembourg residents from joining the emergency services, a situation he would like to change, reported L’Essentiel. Halsdorf did not disclose a timetable for reform.

19 •

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current affairs

Josée Hansen: not the role of the media to call for Schmit’s resignation

TURKEY EMBASSY During a visit to AnFEB kara, foreign minister Jean Asselborn said Luxembourg would soon open an embassy in the Turkish capital.

He called Turkey “the example” of an Islamic democracy, and stressed the EU “will be stronger with Turkey” inside the union.

22 •

16 - delano - March 2011

Karger admits he was shocked by the story and by Schmit’s reaction. “I was surprised that he refused to comment and only sent a letter of explanation via his lawyer, because he is known as a politician who is quite open.” However, as another case involving Schmit’s wife and the police has also since come to light, it is not looking good for the minister.

Karger, like Kaiser and Hansen, thinks the political fallout could be dramatic.

MEMORY BOOST People who speak feb multiple languages may lower their risk of developing memory problems in old age, found a CRP-Santé scientist. Each additional language spoken boosts cognitive function, said Dr. Magali Perquin at a medical conference in Honolulu.

22 •

He says that prime minister JeanClaude Juncker had to support Schmit because he wants political stability. “In 2010 the coalition was close to collapse over the tripartite. There is still the reform of the civil service, the pensions and public health system.” Karger even thinks that Schmit’s own party could turn on him at its next general congress. “We have not heard the last of the consequences of this affair.”

23 • Feb

The new UN Women agency launched in New York

NEW CHIEF Former ABBL direcfeb tor Lucien Thiel was elected head of the Christian Social People’s (CSV) party’s parliamentary faction, the largest in the Chamber of Deputies.

He succeeds Jean-Louis Schiltz, who held the post from 2009 and is retiring from politics.

28 •

MEGA

Schmit remained fair in their treatment of the affair. At the Lëtzebuerger Journal, which supports the parliamentary opposition DP party, editorin-chief Claude Karger says that his paper’s reporting of the story was balanced, even if the DP and other opposition parties demanded the minister resign. “It is not the role of the media to call for Schmit’s resignation; that is political,” says Josée Hansen.

Sadler’s Wells / National Theatre London / Royal National Opera / Complicité...

THÉÂTRES DE LA VILLE DE LUXEMBOURG

A KALEIDOSCOPE OF TALENTONE DESTINATION

The scope and quality of the productions has turned the stylish venue near the Glacis into the number one choice of the international community in Luxembourg. By nurturing home-grown talent as well as attracting first-rate productions from abroad, the Grand Théâtre and the Théâtre des Capucins, now operating together as “Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg”, have set themselves the mission to delight existing fans and to attract new culture-lovers from the capital and beyond.

2 Lips and Dancers and Space, director: Robert Wilson, World premiere in Luxembourg, Season 2004-2005 © M. Slobodian

For nearly a decade, the Grand Théâtre has delighted audiences from near and afar with its eclectic programme covering opera, dance and theatre.

Grand Théâtre / 1, Rond-Point Schuman / L-2525 Luxembourg Théâtre des Capucins / 9, place du Théâtre / L-2613 Luxembourg Further information www.theatres.lu Booking: Luxembourg Ticket.lu c/o Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg, 1, Rond-point Schuman, L-2525 Luxembourg, Tel.: + 352 /47 08 95-1, Fax: +352 /47 08 95 95, Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6.30 p.m., www.luxembourgticket.lu

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It's been a good or bad month for:

Julien Becker

Yves Mersch

The president of the Luxembourg Central Bank began February being hailed as one of the favourites to succeed Jean-Claude Trichet at the European Central Bank.

But in an interview with La Stampa, minister of finance Luc Frieden praised Italian candidate Mario Draghi and said he was sceptical about Mersch’s chances.

Mario Hirsch The former editor-in-chief of the Lëtzebuerger Land left his post as director of the Pierre Werner Institute under a cloud. Hirsch, who was appointed in 2006, had faced criticism about his handling of the budget. He has now joined the European Union Institute for Security Studies in Paris.

Florence Lodevic The 22-year old from Capellen has been selected for the next series of Germany’s Next Top Model, a reality show presented by Heidi Klum. Florence already has experience modelling and in competition, having won the 14-26-year old category at Belgium’s Top Model in 2007.

Luxembourg cinemas Figures released by the International Union of Cinemas revealed that attendance figures in Luxembourg cinemas fell by 5.6 percent in 2010 to 1.2 million admissions. The fall was not as dramatic as in Germany (-23%) or Spain (-10%), but Italy, Russia and Finland experienced a surge in attendances.

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SIP/Robert Steinmetz

current affairs

Jean Asselborn to Ahmed Abul Gheit: involve civilian society in decision making

Foreign affairs

Asselborn steps up to the mark The former mayor of Steinfort has grown in stature as foreign minister. His latest trip to the Middle East saw him praised by all sides for his statesmanship.

In times of crisis there is no room for shirking. Jean Asselborn doesn’t do shirking. The foreign minister has proved, once again, during the past few weeks that where others may hide behind legalese and empty rhetoric, he is forthright and steadfast in his opinions. His stance on the growing crisis in Libya was to dismiss talk of sanctions--“a rather weak word in the circumstances,” he told Deutschlandfunk on February 23--and instead called for a United Nations mandate to end what he labelled “genocide” in the North African country. He wanted the UN to have the power to control all flights into Libya to stop more mercenaries joining supporters of Muammar Gaddafi. Asselborn did not rule out UN troops being deployed, though clearly not without the full support of a resolution. “But I cannot imagine the world just watching as hundreds or thousands are slaughtered.”

The minister was also forthright about the caution being displayed by some of his EU colleagues. “The oil and gas interests of some countries do not belong in any argument to maintain relations with a tyrant who is shooting his own people.”

Later in February, Asselborn undertook a whistle stop tour of Turkey and the middle-east, including Egypt, Israel, the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian territories. In Egypt he insisted on visiting Tahrir square before meeting with his counterpart Ahmed Abul Gheit.

“Democracy does not just consist of free elections, but also means that civilian society can participate in the decision making process,” he said. In Israel, Asselborn told the Jerusalem Post that he could not understand how an intelligent people like the Israelis could “see only the short-term future” regarding a negotiated solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict. “ You know that in long-term, the demographic situation is not in your favour.” DR

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current affairs

Cattenom

NUCLEAR UPGRADE An unpopular neighbour is revamping its maintenance programme and redoubling its communications efforts. Will the plan bolster EDF’s bottom line?

Text: Aaron Grunwald — Photos: Olivier Minaire

In early February, three contractors working at EDF’s Cattenom nuclear power plant were exposed to traces of radioactivity. In fact, the contamination was minuscule and all three went home within 24 hours. Such events were not a surprise to EDF, as Cattenom’s production unit three is currently undergoing its ten-yearly overhaul. That’s when every part of the reactor and generating system is checked and major maintenance is performed--all monitored by government officials, including those from the Grand Duchy. The effort is part of the French nuclear industry’s strategy to boost the working life, and thus the profitability, of its plants.

Cattenom’s four reactors generated 35 billion kilowatt hours in 2010, enough electricity to power 1.4 trillion 25-watt lightbulbs at a time. That makes it “the most powerful plant in Europe and seventh in the world in terms of production,” Didier Fortuny, the facility’s deputy director for technology and finance, told Delano during an extensive visit inside the plant. His team spends an average of €80 million on maintenance annually. Each reactor is shutdown every 18 months for routine repairs, and every 10 years for a massive €30 million, three-month check-up, he says. Pipes, valves, tanks and walls are

20 - delano - March 2011

pressure-tested and x-rayed. Turbine rotors and alternator components are inspected and replaced.

EDF’S BOLD PLAN In addition to maximizing safety and efficiency, the programme is part of EDF’s ambitious plan to extend the life of its nuclear footprint. Today the energy giant’s 58 nuclear reactors in France are an average of 24 years old and most have an expected operating life of 60 years.

EDF hopes an aggressive maintenance schedule means the utility will receive approval to run its reactors for 70 or more years, Fortuny discloses. That means extending the operating life of Cattenom’s oldest production unit from 2046 to 2056 or beyond.

Fortuny is not able to speculate as to when EDF might receive such permission from the French Nuclear Safety Authority, as each reactor is licensed separately and officially has no expiry date. Indeed, the regulator could shut down a reactor at any time. The rules are so strict that French nuclear inspectors must give approval to restart each time a reactor is offline for 15 days or more. That is in addition to controls by several other environmental agencies, which operate dozens of monitoring stations throughout the Greater Region.

One of those stations, located near Zoufftgen in Roussy-le-Village, belongs to the Grand Duchy’s government.

With an installation cost of about €250,000, it continually samples and analyses radionuclide levels in the air, explains Patrick Breuskin, principal inspector with the Luxembourg health

current affairs

We have a big responsibility” Didier Fortuny: being proactive may help extend the operating life of EDF nuclear plants

ministry’s radioprotection division.

Data from the station, and 17 more inside the Grand Duchy, is streamed to both Luxembourg’s radioprotection and emergency services command centres.

Hourly updates are even posted automatically on the internet (eurdep.jrc.ec. europa.eu). Breuskin says the sensors are incredibly sensitive and his centre sees more than 4,500 alerts per year, which always turn out to be, for example, meteorological phenomena or a workcrew inspecting wells in a neighbouring field.

EDF claims that it provides the “exact same” information to French and Lux-

embourg authorities. However, there is “no international obligation” to do so, according to Patrick Majerus, a nuclear engineer with the radioprotection division. “Everything we get is on a voluntary basis. We have excellent contacts with the French bodies, but it is a sovereign country,” he says.

RAPPORT WITH LUXEMBOURG There is a bilateral agreement between France and Luxembourg to provide full access to information and cooperate in civil defence planning. “We work very well together with the French authorities, who I might add have a high level of independence from the government,” he says. Majerus acknowledges “the philosophy in France has really changed” in recent years. “They are much more proactive than 20 years ago. Now they are very open in communications” with the public.

“Equally we have good contacts directly with Cattenom and we do visit regularly,” he adds. Majerus says it is never a problem to get answers from plant officials.

Cattenom has a good safety record, he explains. The risk of an accident is low, and if there were somehow a breach the impact beyond a three-kilometre radius would be negligible.

For the record, Luxembourg’s regulators confirm there has never been a nuclear accident at Cattenom.

CATTENOM: Alstrom technicians retool a generator turbine in production unit 3

BACKGROUND BRIEFING A plan to build a nuclear plant at Remerschen in the Grand Duchy was scuttled during the late 1970s in the face of widespread protests, followed by the Chernobyl accident in 1986. So when Cattenom was constructed in the late 1980s and early 90s, it was deeply unpopular in Luxembourg.

Yet the mood is slowly shifting.

By 2009, 43 percent of those polled in Luxembourg by Eurobarometer said the current level of nuclear energy should be maintained, up 17 points from 2006.

Cattenom is an unusual location for a nuclear power plant, admits EDF’s Didier Fortuny. The site was selected due to the availability of cold water from the Moselle river, as the land was easily transferable from the French military, and as an economic boost to the region at a time the metallurgy industry was in decline, he explains.

With more than 100,000 people living within 10 kilometres, and being so close to the frontier with three countries, “we have a big responsibility on our shoulders, in terms of safety and keeping citizens informed.”

March 2011 - delano - 21

current affairs

Culture venues

Mixed perspectives

As the debate about the future site of den Atelier rages, Ettelbrück is about to celebrate the opening of its revamped Deichhalle venue.

Text: Duncan Roberts — Photo: David Laurent/Wide

All the excitement pre-Christmas surrounding the re-location of premier contemporary music venue den Atelier to the former slaughterhouse in Hollerich may have been a case of the media, and den Atelier’s management, jumping the gun. That is, according to Luxembourg city mayor Paul Helminger who has had to reiterate again and again that “nothing has been decided” in the face of vehement protests against the move from Hollerich residents.

The idea of moving the venue has been toyed with for a number of years as den Atelier became a victim of its own success in attracting acts to Luxembourg that are simply too big for the converted garage on rue de Hollerich. So, when RTL broke the news that plans were being drawn up for the slaughterhouse venue, which is currently used as a skate park and to house the Ville de Luxembourg’s service des sports, it appeared as though the move was a done deal. Nevertheless, as the venue celebrated its 15th anniversary, founding managers Patrick Bartz and Laurent Loschetter were still being cautious, even though they were happy to talk about the plans for the slaughterhouse.

“It is really important to us that we retain the original spirit of den Atelier,” said Bartz.

But Hollerich residents fear that the noise and nuisance faced by Clausen residents since the opening of the Rives de Clausen complex would be replicated in their neighbourhood (even though the plans call for access to the venue via the motorway side of the

22 - delano - March 2011

Hollerich Schluechthaus: the former slaughterhouse would retain the original spirit of den Atelier

building and for concert goers to use the P&R Bouillon opposite the venue).

Helminger and fellow members of the college of aldermen faced angry reactions when they hosted a neighbourhood meeting about future plans for the slaughterhouse in early February.

Notably missing from the city representatives, however, was Viviane Loschetter, sister of Laurent, who has withheld involvement in the decision to avoid any conflict of interest.

At a city breakfast meeting with journalists on February 9, Helminger once again underlined the fact that no definitive decision has yet been taken. He explained that a working group was being set up to examine possible uses

for the Schluechthaus--as part of the wider Porte de Hollerich regeneration plans--and to analyse potential impact on residents.

Meanwhile, up north, residents are eager to celebrate the opening of Ettelbrück’s renovated Deichalle complex.

The new multi-purpose halls, designed

by Besch da Costa Architectes will open on March 30 with a concert by German pop band Juli, organised, ironically, by den Atelier. If the gig is a success, the venue management say they may host up to four concerts a year.

Ettelbrück mayor Jean-Paul Schaaf, however, insists the halls are for popular events as well as culture and that the venue is not a “Rockhal for the north.”

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03.03.2011 10:30:27 Uhr

Business

Weather economics

Testing Tempest History making storms struck the Grand Duchy this winter. Did it have a negative impact on the economy, or simply fray nerves?

Text: Aaron Grunwald

It is not your imagination: it has been a rough winter. Unusually heavy snow and ice storms hit Luxembourg several times from late November through New Year’s weekend, which was followed by flooding of the Moselle River and tributaries in early January. But what has been the actual cost of this winter’s bad weather? While individual families and businesses suffered significant hardships, Delano’s tally finds limited overall blow to the economy.

The transportation industry was perhaps hardest hit. LuxairGroup is still calculating the total financial effect of this winter’s snow and ice, and expects to present the figures in its annual report this May. “The impact will of course be quite heavy as cancelled flights generate hotel cost, transportation, passenger care and extra handling,” says the company’s head of corporate commu-

date Line February 2011

24 - delano - March 2011

nications, Yves Hoffmann. For example, the cost of de-icing a Boeing 747 cargo plane is between €3,000-5,500, depending on the specific weather conditions before takeoff, and therefore the amount of liquid that is needed.

Smaller planes in its fleet use less liquid, so incur less cost.

“Some passengers also got compensation, and at one point we had to lease a plane in order to relieve the numerous passengers that were stuck,” Hoffmann states.

Snow and Ice A spokesman for CFL says the national railway does not disclose financial costs related to bad weather. However, he states “the Luxembourg rail network was not disrupted in any significant manner” in December. In contrast, fewer than half of all German trains ran on time during the same period of heavy snow-

CIG PRICE HIKE The price of cigaFeb rettes went up 20 centimes per pack, bringing Luxembourg in line with European Commission anti-smoking requirements. Health minister Mars Di Bartolomeo said he would move towards a full smoking ban in bars and clubs.

1•

fall, according to an investigation by the newspaper Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung.

Belgium’s ground transport sector lost €100 million due to snow-related road closures in the Grand Duchy, reported the Luxembourg Confederation of Commerce. The trade group says more than 30,000 trucks were stopped near the border for at least 60 hours in December.

At the same time, weather-related insurance claims have not been excessively high, according to Paul Hammelmann, legal advisor at the Association of Insurance Companies.

Road accident claims were approximately four million euro higher than normal during the two-month bad weather period, he says. “People were very careful when they were driving.”

Hammelmann does not expect the cost of car insurance to rise as a result of

DAYTIME HEADLAMPS feb All new passenger cars sold in the EU now have automatic headlamps. Studies in Scandinavia show 15% fewer road deaths occur when headlights are turned on automatically.

New trucks must have the technology installed starting in 2012.

7•

HIGHER AIR TIX National airline Luxair feb raised its fuel surcharge by €2 per take-off. The airline said jet fuel prices have increased an average of 10% since the beginning of the year.

Luxair previously upped its surcharge by the same amount on January 1.

7•

Business

Everything went on, just a bit slower” Paul Hammelmann: does not see a material impact on the insurance industry or on premiums

this winter’s weather. “It won’t have an impact on premiums,” he says. While obviously insurers do not set prices in unison, “I haven’t heard any of my members say otherwise,” he states. Given the severity of the storms, actual claims are “not that expensive” for Luxembourg insurers, he says. In any event, “normally these types of damage are re-insured,” although the precise percentage is a secret that is tightly guarded by each different insurance firm. On the other hand, labour costs at garages are “going up and up all the time” which ultimately can lead to premium rises.

Road Accidents David Laurent / Wide

Hammelmann, who is also president of the Road Safety Commission, hopes motorists take poor weather conditions in stride and with a bit of perspective.

In winter, “everyone says ‘ be careful on

8•

feb

2,9 billion

The net profit for 2010 announced by ArcelorMittal

ORANGE UP 22% Orange Luxembourg feb posted 22% higher revenue in 2010, based on 10% growth in the number of customers and 9.5% more revenue per user. Last year the mobile carrier’s 88,851 clients spent an average of nearly €40 per month.

10 •

DEUTSCHE LOSS Clearstream owner feb Deutsche Börse posted a net loss of €108 million last year, mainly due to rightoffs in its US options business.

However, Clearstream sales were up 2% and the unit contributed a €345 million gain to the group.

14 •

SLOW GOING European economic feb growth was slower than expected in the fourth quarter of 2010, said Eurostat. It was 0.3% in the euro zone and 0.2% across the EU, half what was expected by analysts. The agency did not breakout data for Luxembourg.

15 •

March 2011 - delano - 25

05_p24-26_business_calendar.indd 25

04.03.2011 14:55:44 Uhr

Business

LuxairGroup

WINTER WEATHER: the transport sector bears the brunt of economic losses

the road.’ They should say that in summer time, because that’s when people are much more daring in their behaviour.”

While unfortunately there were two car fatalities during the storms, the total “number of road deaths is at a record low in Luxembourg,” with 32 mortalities last year. So, when people are angry about weather-related traffic jams, Hammelmann reminds them that “ driving fast is not a human right. If there’s snow like we have had, there is no right for citizens to complain about it, because that’s nature. Everything went on, just a bit slower.”

Damage to residential and office buildings was even less substantial than to automobiles. “There was an enormous amount of snow, an amount we never had before,” which caused a number of roofs to collapse, observes Hammelmann.

So far, these types of claims have only

NO LAYOFFS Brasserie de Luxemfeb bourg and its social partners agreed a workforce reorganisation plan that avoided forced redundancies at its historic Diekirch brewery. Transport has been contracted out and affected staff will be retrained or take early retirement.

17 •

26 - delano - March 2011

been about two million euro higher than normal. Insurance association members have paid an average claim of around €4,500 to cover repairs to roofs and building interiors, the loss of contents inside structures, and in some case the loss of revenue when a business’ operations were interrupted.

Flood Victims It is a different story when it comes to the inundations that resulted when the extreme volume of snow and ice started to melt. For the most part Luxembourg insurers do not write flood policies, Hammelmann explains. “Normally you cannot [provide] an insurance product for people living next to the water, because the only people who would buy this product are those living there.” Whereas the vast majority of other insurance customers, who live in higher terrain, would sim-

CLEAR SKIES CityJet announced feb passenger traffic on its Luxembourg-London City Airport route grew 3% between 2010 and 2009. The Air FranceKLM subsidiary is unsure the 2012 Olympics will be a boost, as business travellers may avoid England during the games.

22 •

ply not buy flood policies. Hammelmann says without a wider pool of insurance subscribers, such coverage would be hugely uneconomical. “If only the people who live around the water buy it, the price of the premium would be the price of the damage.”

That is why the family and integration ministry intervenes, he explains.

While the ministry may not reimburse the total quantity of losses, they “can give some amount of money” to help families recover, in the name of social solidarity.

At press time, the ministry had not yet received any claims for social assistance, but residents in 17 communes requested claim forms. The government expects applications to arrive soon, but a family ministry spokeswoman explains, “People need time to gather the required documents.”

23 • feb

14,1% Dexia BIL’s 2010 revenues compared to 2009

SOLAR DEAL CNPV Solar Power, a feb Chinese photovoltaic systems maker headquartered in Luxembourg, signed a distribution deal with JIT Solaire, a French solar power installer.

Twenty megawatts of capacity will be delivered, enough to run 800,000 25-watt lightbulbs.

28 •

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1/03/11 16:18

Business

Communication, marketing, design

BRAND LUXEMBOURG

FOREIGN TV IS OK

EU law allows the use of foreign satellite TV decoders, an advisor to the European Court of Justice said.

The non-binding opinion may lead the court to ban country-by-country monopolies of televised sporting events, such as English Premier League matches. www.curia.europa.eu

CHINESE SOLAR

Shanghai Chaori Solar Energy Science and Technology, a Chinese solar modules supplier, is establishing a Luxembourg subsidiary to “facilitate the development of the photovoltaic market in Europe.” The company already has an established distribution presence in Germany. www.chaorisolar.com/english/

MANGROVE SALE

Germany’s largest online shopping club, brands4friends--backed

by Luxembourg venture capital firm Mangrove Capital Partners, among others--was sold to eBay for approximately US$200 million in cash.

The California company previously acquired Mangrove-funded Skype, in 2009. www.brands4friends.de

UNSURE JOB MARKET

Luxembourg residents are evenly divided on whether or not unemployment has peaked, according to the latest Eurobarometer poll. In the survey on the global economic crisis, 47% of Luxembourg respondents said the worst had passed and 47% said the opposite. www.ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/

28 - delano - March 2011

Olivier Minaire/archives

Luc Deflorenne /archives

How does Luxembourg’s communication, marketing and design sector measure-up internationally?

isabelle schlesser: Luxembourg can be more competitive

Last month’s the Grand Prix paperJam Communication Marketing Design finale put the industry under the spotlight (see Snapshots on page 36).

But how do Luxembourg’s branding projects stack-up to international comparison? Delano asked three of the Grand Prix jurors for their evaluation.

Isabelle Schlesser, secretary general at Luxinnovation: “If we compare Luxembourg to other regions in the world, I think we are quite good. If you compare Luxembourg to neighbouring countries, especially capital cities, there is still a little way to go.

“In terms of graphic quality, there are really some very nice campaigns. In some other fields, if you compare Luxembourg on an international level, I don’t think we really compete.”

Jean-Luc Walraff, creative director at JWT in Brussels: “The main trend in Belgium is to be very conservative. I am really amazed and surprised by some of the campaigns in Luxembourg, but some others were just as conservative as Belgium.

“I saw some really good things in Luxembourg, for example the Editus iPhone application that uses augmented reality. I loved that idea! Not only the idea, because it’s in use today. I know it’s not the first, but I was jealous because in Brussels you don’t find this.”

Walter Stulzer, managing partner of Nose Design in Zurich: “The ministries did a great effort in the ‘Is it true what they say about Luxembourg?’ films. It would be better for Luxembourg if they would spend more on image communications. One thing a small country can do is use the country as a brand, and Luxembourg is not yet a powerful brand.

“There is a big chance to invest in Brand Luxembourg. It helps you sell everything. Switzerland is a good example. If you put the Swiss cross on something, it doubles the value. The Swiss cross stands for so many things.

You don’t need to say ‘quality,’ ‘precision,’ and so on.

“I would tell Minister Krecké that for every euro invested in the brand, he’ll see a ten-fold return on investment.” AG

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To mark its tenth anniversary, paperJam is getting together with MyClimateLux asbl with the aim of raising awareness of climate change, the use of renewable energy sources and voluntary reduction of CO2 emissions among businesses and institutions.

Concurrently, paperJam is launching a fund-raising campaign for MyClimateLux asbl, and is seeking companies willing to assist with this effort.

In June 2011, to conclude our tenth anniversary year, paperJam will donate 100,000 G to MyClimateLux asbl as part of a grand open-air celebration. The highlight of this event will be the release of 1,000 sky lanterns sponsored by 100 partners of the project. paperJam is looking for 100 businesses that will each sponsor 10 lanterns with a donation of 1,000 G Please visit: http://myclimate.paperjam.lu/

02.03.2011 10:02:57 Uhr

03.03.2011 9:33:45 Uhr

Business

Real estate

Distressed for how long?

The prospect of stagflation looms in Europe. Is the US property market a solid hedge for European investors?

Text: Aaron Grunwald — Photo: Olivier Minaire

The US real estate market is a particularly attractive option for European investors, according to one Luxembourg investment manager. But the clock is ticking, as banks’ “willingness to let quality assets go for very attractive prices is more and more remote,” says Dr. Reinhard Krafft, director of Jupiter Group.

In light of stagnant growth in the EU and rising inflation in the euro zone, the time is right “to move into other currencies, and into assets that will be protecting in times of inflation,” he says. Far from being concerned about the US dollar, he believes it is “stronger than ever as a reserve currency” and even sees it strengthening further. Krafft also discounts worries about the fundamental soundness of the US economy, citing models that show the US can substantially reduce its debt once economic growth hits three percent.

Krafft is particularly keen on the retail shopping and office building segments, in cities where pre-crisis population growth was “ fundamentally sound.” For example, Phoenix has negative growth today, but Krafft expects three to four percent growth “when people start moving to warm climates again.” In contrast, he notes Atlanta already has huge industrial and office exposure, so its market is “more dependent on the overall business cycle.”

Krafft founded Jupiter in early 2009 after serving as head of private banking at Sal. Oppenheim and a long tenure as chief investment officer at Dresdner

30 - delano - March 2011

REINHARD KRAFFT: 2011 is the year to buy distressed US real estate assets

Bank. Today Jupiter has a staff of about 30 in Luxembourg and at its two US partner offices. Krafft says his firm’s advantage is bringing solid operational infrastructure in the US to European middle market investors. “We want to act for our capital partners, our investors, as if we were Americans, on the turf, but obviously bring the European content into it.”

He explains the typical European medium-sized capital partner would not have the local engineering and legal support needed to make savvy decisions. “The US is a very competitive market, especially in real estate, and you have to know how deals there are structured,” Krafft states. At the same time, the

American team benefits from the “much more long-term oriented perspective of European investors.” That means US managers can consider the returns on a property improvement in terms of years, instead of the next few quarters usually demanded by American investors.

At the same time, the window is closing for finding exceptionally “great values,” Krafft reckons. Lenders have gotten better both in valuing distressed assets, and in improving foreclosed properties on their own, he explains.

Likewise, large investment banks have started filling their portfolios with distressed assets. With competition fierce, he says, “2011 is the time to move.”

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snapshots

Trade

(L-R) The Crown Prince with Kuwait’s external trade counsellor Iqbal Qureshi, and Jeannot Krecké in Abu Dhabi

32 - delano - March 2011

World Future Energy Summit--Abu Dhabi 2011

(L-R) Jeannot Krecké, Abdallah Y. Al-Mouallimi, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Brussels, and Chamber of Commerce director Pierre Gramegna in Luxembourg

Crown Prince Guillaume in Abu Dhabi (L-R) Sheikh Abdullah, the United Arab Emirates’ foreign affairs minister, Georges Faber, Luxembourg’s ambassador-designate to the UAE, and Jean Asselborn

©Philip Cheung/cpc.gov.ae

©Philip Cheung/cpc.gov.ae

MAE/Robert Steinmetz

The Crown Prince in Abu Dhabi

Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce

MECE

Interest in Middle East markets shows no signs of waning, and not only because the region is a major source of oil and gas. Favourable demographics and a relatively immature financial sector provide opportunities for Luxembourg firms.

Indeed, foreign affairs minister Jean Asselborn announced the planned opening of an embassy in the United Arab Emirates, and the opening months of 2011 saw three notable trade missions.

In January, Crown Prince Guillaume and Jeannot Krecké, minister of economy and foreign trade, participated in the World Future Energy Summit, a major green investment confab in Abu Dhabi.

Then the new Saudia-Luxembourg Business Council--headed by attorney Marc Theisen--held its premiere event.

In February, Grand Duke Henri with finance minister Luc Frieden headed a delegation to Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Beirut organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Luxembourg for Finance.

Round two of the Grand Duchy’s promotional push takes place in November.

Krecké leads a multisector mission to the Gulf, and the foreign trade ministry and chamber host a Luxembourg pavilion at the Middle East’s largest construction conference, The Big 5 Show in Dubai. AG

Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce

MIDDLE EAST MISSIONS

Benjamin de Seille in Luxembourg

(L-R) UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Bangladesh prime minister Sheikha Hasina Wajed, Crown Prince Guillaume, Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahayan, and Iceland president Radnar Grimsson in Abu Dhabi

The view from abroad: Nidhi Palta

New Delhi

Attracting entrepreneurs The range of economic sectors from India seeking to invest in Europe makes life very interesting for Luxembourg’s Trade and Investment Office.

Text: Duncan Roberts

Even before the establishment of a Luxembourg embassy in India, the Grand Duchy’s government had recognised the importance of the sub-continent as a potential trading partner. So, in 1997 it opened the New Delhi Luxembourg Trade and Investment Office.

When the embassy opened five years later, in 2002, the office was integrated into its premises.

Today, together with the trade and investment offices in Seoul, Shanghai, Taipei and Tokyo, the New Delhi office forms part of a network to enhance and foster economic relations between Luxembourg and Asia. Its twofold aim is thus to support Luxembourg businesses seeking to market and sell their products or services in India, and to promote Luxembourg as a prime business location to Indian companies eager to expand their activities into the European market.

Project manager at the office, Nidhi Palta explains that a wide range of sectors from the Indian economy have shown interest in investing in Luxembourg--everything from information and technology, banking and finance, pharmaceuticals, eco-friendly materials as well as energy. “Although emphasis is to a large extent being placed on innovative technology based activities, manufacturing is still of interest to Indian companies. For example, Novelis,

the global leader in aluminium rolled products and aluminium can recycling, which produces premium aluminium foil in Luxembourg, has been acquired by the Aditya Birla Group.”

India’s diverse and booming services sector, now one of the major contributors to both employment and national income, is also of potential interest.

Major Indian players such as Tata Consultancy Services, Evalueserve and Wipro have already established offices in Luxembourg. “We are also delighted to see that Hinduja Bank is currently in the process of finalising the acquisition of KBL. All in all, the tissue of Indian entrepreneurs in Luxembourg has extended in recent years and we are convinced that many others will follow,” says Palta.

While it is still very early to measure the effects of the recent double taxation treaty between Luxembourg and India, Palta believes it will be a booster for both business communities. “More and more Indian companies are interested in investing in Luxembourg as the treaty offers a competitive and secure environment to tap into the European market.”

Palta is convinced that Luxembourg’s business-friendly legal and regulatory framework and rewarding tax environment, as well as the welcoming attitude of the government to foreign investors, makes the Grand Duchy a serious option for Indian companies.

Rajpath

Nidhi Palta: Project manager, Luxembourg Trade and Investment Office New Delhi

In a career spanning over 10 years, Nidhi Palta has worked in various office and administrative positions in India. She comes from an extensive marketing, administration and travel background and holds a bachelor of commerce degree and a diploma in marketing management, public relations & advertising. She also completed a diploma in airline travel from Kuoni Airline and worked in the Indian travel industry prior to joining Luxembourg Trade and Investment Office in September 2007.

March 2011 - delano - 33

Business

Finance

CHANGE IN THE AIR The ALFI Spring Conference will be abuzz with talk of UCITS IV. What other challenges will dominate conversation at the fund industry event?

Text: Aaron Grunwald — Photos: Etienne Delorme/archives

One of the world’s premier asset management confabs will mark its twelfth anniversary this month here in the Grand Duchy. The Association of the Luxembourg Fund Industry (ALFI)’s 2011 Spring Conference is known as a key place to keep tabs on industry developments. While the rollout of Europe’s next generation of mutual funds will undoubtedly be a major subject, Delano asked four international participants to preview the event’s other hot topics.

Packaged Retail Investment Products (PRIPs) provide returns that vary based on fluctuating factors in the marketplace, the most common of which in Europe are UCITS funds. However, there is a stark contrast in how PRIPs are regulated in the UK and the rest of Europe, says David Rouch, partner at the law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in London. At the conference, he is moderating a discussion between two regulators, one from the UK’s Financial Services Authority and one from the European Commission side.

Rouch says there is a fundamental question of whether Europe’s Key Investor Information Document (KIID)--the new standardised, short disclosure brochures that funds must provide to indi-

34 - delano - March 2011

ALFI Spring Conference: attracts top fund industry players from around the globe

vidual investors starting this July--can meaningfully describe an investment’s risk and volatility in two to four pages.

“The reality is that for some of these products, that’s just not enough. There’s a great concern in the industry that it opens them up to liability if it manifestly doesn’t tell you everything you need to know.”

Commission Ban In a separate move, the FSA banned all commission payments from PRIP

providers from 2013. Rouch explains: “This is pretty radical stuff. You are basically rewriting the economics of the entire market,” as it breaks the financial link between funds, and the banks and investment advisors who actually sell investments to consumers. “There is a question if the same change should be made in the European market.”

For his part, Guillaume Prache, managing director of EuroInvestors, the Brussels-based financial consumers

Business

Investors' perspective

Investor protection, distribution and regulatory reform: key topics at the event’s 11th annual edition

group, is “not happy with the fragmentation of the markets generated by” the three-year old Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID). One of the key regulatory frameworks that allow investment firms to operate freely across the EU, MiFID is currently being reviewed by the European Commission. Rightly so, in Prache’s view: it “created more complexity, generated much less transparency” than intended and “ did not reduce the cost of transactions for customers.”

“What’s often called a demographic time bomb is not a time bomb any more, it is happening now,” warns Elizabeth Corley, CEO at Allianz Global Investors Europe in Munich. She points out that this year baby boomers across Europe start to hit age 65 and will retire, going “ from accumulating assets to using them to generate income.”

State-run pensions are unlikely to become “more generous,” and employerrun pension funds are increasingly moving from defined benefit to defined contribution and thus providing less predictable income in retirement, she says.

Long Term Savings Corley will use her presentation to call for a shift to more consistent lifetime

The reality is that for some of these products, that’s just not enough”

Guillaume Prache is one of the first individual investors’ advocates to present at the ALFI Spring Conference.

His federation, EuroInvestors, was created in 2008 and lobbies on behalf of 45 national organisations, which in turn represent approximately two million consumers.

Prache says that a European collective redress scheme is needed “to restore investors confidence” following the financial crisis. “Apart from the Netherlands, there is no real mechanism for collective redress.” EuroInvestors is “not asking for US-style class action lawsuits, where it’s the lawyers who drive the action,” Prache stresses, but rather the ability for individual investors to file collective complaints in complex cases.

David Rouch

savings by individuals, which she believes is the best way to tackle the challenge. “Many people don’t save regularly, they save sporadically.” She argues that saving and investing the same amount each month, year in and year out, delivers better results over the long term. “We want it to be part of the culture in the future, that long term savings is just as normal as taking out car insurance.”

While originally conceived for consumer distribution, so-called “ fund platforms” have ended up being primarily a business-to-business service,

explains Rodney Williams, CEO of research firm MackayWilliams. They allow banks and advisors to sell multiple fund families from a single screen, much like a travel agent does with competing airlines and hotels. Since there are so many different business models, Williams says it is difficult for regulators to provide clear guidelines on how fund platforms should implement, for example, Know Your Customer and KIID rules.

The event will be held March 15-16 at the Kirchberg Conference Centre.

March 2011 - delano - 35

snapshots

Grand Prix paperJam

An audience of nearly 500 attended the finale of the Grand Prix paperJam’s Communication Marketing Design at the Tramsschapp in Luxembourg City on February 17.

During the awards ceremony, minister of economy and foreign trade Jeannot Krecké stressed the importance of design and communication in the Luxembourg economy, while welcoming continued excellence and dynamism within the sector.

An independent jury--headed by JeanLuc Walraff, creative director at the agency JWT in Brussels--reviewed 107 submissions before selecting the laureates, “ based on the implementation of a comprehensive strategy that responded creatively to the client’s brief, rather than a particular visual, slogan or campaign.”

First prize was awarded to the “Livreur de frissons” campaign produced for Messageries du Livre by Comed, with the jury noting “its originality and simplicity, the concept can be adjusted at will and has a timeless quality.”

Second prize was awarded to TransFair-Minka’s “Fairtrade Kaffi Dag” campaign, also by Comed. Third prize went to Munhowen Bofferding’s “Bravo” campaign, by the Dutch agency AG Lemon Scented Tea.

Olivier Minaire

BEST of

David Laurent/Wide

Second place: “Fairtrade Kaffi Dag” campaign (TransFair-Minka/Comed)

Pierre Kihn (Office Freylinger) presents the special intellectual property prize: “Jailbird” campaign (Défi-Job/Guido&Glas)

David Laurent/Wide

The Grand Prix paperJam Communication, Marketing, Design was held under the patronage of minister for the economy and foreign trade, Jeannot Krecké

Centre: Heike Fries (Vidale-Gloesener); right: Jan Glas (Guido & Glas)

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L-R: Jessica Koeune (Les 2 Musées de la Ville de Luxembourg), Cathia Gromczyk (Binsfeld), Daniela Arede (myenergy) Olivier Minaire

David Laurent/Wide

Olivier Minaire

David Laurent/Wide

First place laureate: “Livreur de frissons” campaign (Messageries du Livre/Comed)

Third place: “Bravo” campaign (Munhowen Bofferding/Lemon Scented Tea)

Business

Financial centre

STANDSTILL SITUATION? Dublin has long been Luxembourg’s main competitor as a funds domicile.

Will the new Irish government introduce policies that could tip the scales?

Text: Aaron Grunwald — Photo: Olivier Minaire

Dublin has long been Luxembourg’s chief European rival as a funds centre.

Could that change? At press time Enda Kenny was set to become Ireland’s prime minister after February 25 elections. He has pledged his coalition government will renegotiate the country’s €85 billion EU-IMF bailout and resist any effort to raise its famously low corporate tax rate. Yet the economic environment in Ireland is unlikely to impact the competitive equation in the near term, say the experts interviewed by Delano.

“The Dublin-Luxembourg debate that raged so strongly in the 1990s has evolved considerably,” states Ed Moisson, head of UK and cross-border research at Lipper FMI, referring to the years that scores of asset managers decamped from Luxembourg after Ireland scrapped money market funds taxes.

However, the question is “irrelevant now since the location decisions of most established groups were made some years ago,” Moisson explains.

“There is no shift from Dublin to Luxembourg,” concludes Charles Muller, deputy director general at the trade group ALFI. “Both centres have their raison d’être.”

“It is still business as usual for both locations,” concurs Eoin MacManus, financial services group partner at Ernst & Young Ireland. “They’re both still the strongest locations in the euro zone for asset management and domiciles.” He explains that Dublin has gained market leadership in alternative funds and Luxembourg has maintained leadership in regulated UCITS funds, “and I think it will remain that way.”

MacManus also points out that “sovereign debt has very little to do with the credit

DENIS VAN DEN BULKE: Luxembourg will not take market share from Dublin, but the Grand Duchy is better positioned to capture growth from emerging Asian markets

risk of a UCITS.” Nevertheless, “it is fair to say Ireland is having to do a lot of talks to reinforce that message,” he admits.

In fact, Ireland’s financial reform bill did include provisions to make it easier for established funds to move to Ireland from competing jurisdictions, MacManus says. However, the target of those measures is the Caymen Islands. Caymen officials only admit that four funds have moved to Dublin, although Macmanus reckons the true number is higher based on client activity he is seeing.

Denis Van den Bulke, managing partner of the law firm Vandenbulke, agrees that Ireland will maintain its advantage in the alternative fund space, where Dublin has expertise that Luxembourg simply lacks. “The AngloSaxon world is more accustomed to hedge

funds than continental Europe, which is more traditional.”

On the other hand, Van den Bulke is more bullish on the Grand Duchy’s future growth prospects in comparison to Ireland’s. While flows from Europe and the US will slow, he sees a bigger opportunity coming from Asian markets, which “are fond of the UCITS label,” as it is “accepted as a valid product by local authorities and recognized in the market by name.” And, he stresses, in countries from India to Singapore, “UCITS means Luxembourg.”

While Ireland will likely keep its share in the money market fund space, “it’s a low cost product that doesn’t bring in good margins for the industry.” He adds, “Maybe there will still be a lot of assets in Ireland, but its contribution to the economy is less than in Luxembourg.”

March 2011 - delano - 37

Business

The business of culture

More than 40% of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Greater Region do not have a business plan, according to a study by PwC presented during the sixth annual Economy Days conference. Business leaders state that success rests first and foremost on human capital. events.pwc.lu/events/ economyday2011/home.html

SAARLAND RECOVERY

Saarland has left the economic crisis, says Dr. Christoph Hartmann, the German state’s economy minister.

He expects a return to pre-crisis GDP levels by the end of the year.

With rising business order numbers, Hartmann says “the economy in Saarland is humming.” www.wirtschaft.saarland.de

PRICEY WATER

Water is three times more expensive in Luxembourg than in Lorraine, reported the NGL-Snep. The trade union estimates the average price of tap water is about €7.50 per cubic metre in Luxembourg, compared to €2.43 in Metz. It wants a proposed rate hike cancelled. www.ngl-snep.lu

TRIER NETWORKING

The Trier Region Media and IT Network renamed itself the TrierLuxembourg Media and IT Network, with the aim of improving crossborder industry links. About 80 companies are members of the networking and lobbying association, which is affiliated with the Trier Chamber of Commerce. www.itregion-trier.de

38 - delano - March 2011

Art.metz gives artists a chance to sell direct. But does it pay off financially?

The Greater Region’s largest contemporary art show is a different type of art fair, which explains why it is marking its 11th edition in fine form. Art.metz, to be held April 1-4 at Metz-Expo, gives younger and less well known artists exposure--and sales--they would not normally get through galleries.

In fact, Marie Rigaux, president of the art.metz association, founded the fair in 2000 because “I had many friends in Paris, a group of artists, that organized their own art fair as a protest against galleries, and I wanted to support them.”

Today the fair has opened to galleries, but the main attraction is still the more than 100 artists who exhibit.

Last year several hailed from Argentina, China and Korea, in addition to area artists such as R. Benedikta, who has studios in Luxembourg-Cents and Oetrange. Attendance was up slightly in 2010, to more than 5,000 visitors, drawn from across the Greater Region.

Rigaux expects to see similar numbers next month.

“Art.metz gives artists an opportunity to represent themselves directly,” says Kesha Bruce, an American artist living in Metz and director of Baang and Burne Contemporary Art in New York City.

“It’s much more expensive and much more work for the artists, but there are better financial and marketing prospects as well.”

It costs an average of €1,500 for an artist to participate, but artists then do not share revenue with galleries, which often amounts to nearly 60 percent of the sales price, says Rigaux.

David Laurent/Wide

Luc Deflorenne

smes: no plans

Artistic License

MARIE RIGAUX: art.metz helps younger artists gain more exposure

Bruce, who exhibited at art.metz in 2008, notes the organisers still charge eight euro for admission, whereas other art fairs are typically free. “So the audience is smaller, but more serious.” At the same time, she observes that the starting prices of about €300 last year are comparable to what buyers could expect to pay at similar art fairs in London and Paris.

Nonetheless sales at art.metz were down in 2010, with more than 300 pieces sold in contrast to approximately 450 works in 2009. While the most expensive asking price last year was €200,000--for a work that did not sell--the highest recorded sale was a large sculpture that sold for €20,000, notes Rigaux. She adds these figures do not include sales artists frequently make directly to customers following AG the fair.

Think local: yvonne O’Reilly

Irish

“Open-minded approach” YVONNE O’REILLY: integration is a matter of choice and effort

The managing partner of Avanteam--an executive coaching and change management consultancy--has lived in the Grand Duchy since moving from Ireland in 1989, with her husband and while expecting their first child. Since then, her family has grown and O’Reilly’s career has taken her from Delphi Automotive Systems to State Street Bank, before she started her own firm last year.

AG: What is your first recollection of there being a place called Luxembourg?

YO: My first awareness that Luxembourg existed was my sister tuning into Radio Luxembourg. She had to do her homework listening to Radio Luxembourg. At the time, Luxembourg was associated with pop, music and buzz.

Luxembourg has moved on a lot since then, but it’s still buzzing.

AG: What was the biggest surprise when you arrived?

YO: The real surprise for me happened when I started to look for a job. About six months after our first son was born, I really wanted to get back into professional life. I applied for two jobs in completely different fields than what I’d done before, just to test the ground. To my amazement, I was offered both jobs.

This was a huge eye-opener for me. In Ireland, having worked as a teacher, I would have had restricted access to a change in career paths. Whereas in

40 - delano - March 2011

Resident in Luxembourg since the year the Berlin Wall fell, Yvonne O’Reilly gives her insight into working and living in the Grand Duchy.

Interview: Aaron Grunwald — Photo: David Laurent/Wide

Luxembourg, at the time there was such an open approach to taking on and developing talent in the marketplace.

AG: Do you think that has changed?

YO: Despite the economic crisis, that has really moved and fundamentally changed the job market both here and abroad, I like to think there’s still this open-minded approach in Luxembourg to identifying and developing talent and potential, whatever the previous career background or academic experience. That’s been my experience.

Because Luxembourg is such a small country, looking for talent from so many other quarters, I think we need to be that open-minded in our approach.

AG: What is one of the most striking differences between Ireland and Luxembourg that you have seen in business culture?

YO: I would say, in hindsight, that the Irish economy has grown on an enormous appetite for expansion, and for risk taking. Whereas in Luxembourg, I feel there’s no less ambition for growth and expansion, but there’s a much more prudent and risk-adverse approach to growing the economy. Clearly that strategy seems to be paying off comparatively well in Luxembourg.

AG: Do you consider yourself an expat?

YO: There’s always a touch of expat, clearly, when you haven’t been born and raised in Luxembourg. But it is really

home from home. Luxembourg has this wonderful blend of multicultural diversity, on the one hand. It also has these very vibrant pockets of national cultures, on the other hand. As an expat, you never really feel that far from your roots. In my case, I can say we have a very active Irish community. My family can easily have access to Irish music, dance, the Irish language, Irish sports and traditions.

And my perception is that that’s actually rather similar for other nationalities. If you look for it, you can find your own culture embedded here within the Luxembourg multicultural environment.

AG: What advice about integration would you give to newly arrived expats?

YO: People are often concerned about integrating into a new country. I would encourage them to think about this as a matter a choice, and matter of effort.

Once an individual makes a choice to move to a new environment, openness, adventure, and daring all play a part.

And actually making an effort to find associations, find professional networks, find groups that you can be part of, and that you can contribute to.

AG: What was your motivation to improve your Luxembourgish?

YO: I have three boys, all born here in Luxembourg. They talk to each other in Luxembourgish, and were none too keen when I started to understand everything they were saying!

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02.03.2011 12:07:17 Uhr

snapshots

Krecké Q&A

STRAIGHT TALK Photos: David Laurent/Wide

Introduced as “the PR man for Luxembourg as an economy,” Jeannot Krecké was grilled by a packed house at a recent question & answer session hosted by the British Chamber of Commerce.

The Grand Duchy’s minister of economy and foreign trade since 2004, Krecké displayed his usual forthrightness--and sense of humour--while discussing the pressing need for economic diversification, more entrepreneurship, and the rise in minimum wage.

The minister acknowledged Luxembourg’s economy is overly dependent on the financial sector and its ties with neighbouring countries. However, focused initiatives in biotech, logistics and regional corporate headquarters are gaining traction, he said.

Krecké bemoaned the lack of risk capital available in Luxembourg, and outlined a pair of government-run risk capital funds being set-up that he reckons put the overly cautious private sector to shame.

While acknowledging high minimum salaries look bad on statistical tables, the minister argued Luxembourg’s total labour costs are “ far lower than neighbouring countries.” He also noted: “Life is expensive” for low wage workers and those jobs are sensitive to crossAG border competition.

Robert Deed (British Chamber of Commerce)

Jeannot Krecké demonstrated his directness and sense of humour at the British Chamber event More than 120 attended the Q&A luncheon

Axel Kastura (DKV Luxembourg)

Freddy Bracke (CLdN Cobelfret Group), left, and Eric Dessambre (Contraste Europe)

Carole Miltgen (Prisma) Pedro Castilho (JCI)

42 - delano - March 2011

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03.03.2011 12:19:14 Uhr

business

Business events planner

ON THE HORIZON MARCH 15

• mar

17 •

Mar

SPEED MENTORING: SOCIAL MEDIA

16

• mar

ALFI MICROfiNANCE CONFERENCE

15

• Mar

GERMAN AMBASSADOR

Dr. Hubertus von Morr, Germany’s ambassador to the Grand Duchy, will give a presentation to Luxembourg’s Rotary Club chapter.

Time: 19:30 Venue: To be announced Organiser: Rotaract Club Luxembourg www.rotaract.lu

Xavier Buck, CEO of EuroDNS, hosts this workshop for small businesses looking to get started in social media marketing.

The official presentation of Maison Moderne’s Index 2011 will be followed by a cocktail reception and disco-dancing.

22 •

mar

Employee engagement

Time: 18:00 Venue: Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, Luxembourg-Kirchberg Organiser: Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce www.businessmentoring.lu

21

• mar

FATCA and its Impact mar on the Banking Sector

23 •

Luxembourg’s Toastmasters Club meets the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. The public-speaking and networking club is open to native - and nonnative English speakers.

AMCHAM event on the US Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, with speakers from Deloitte, Ernst & Young and KPMG. Time: 18:30 Venue: KPMG, Strassen Organiser: American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg www.amcham.lu

TOASTMASTERS This British Chamber Evening CLUB Business Forum covers the

Time: 19:30 Venue: Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, Luxembourg-Kirchberg Organiser: Greenhearts Toastmasters Club greenhearts.freetoasthost.net

44 - delano - March 2011

mar

Spring Discocktail

Time: 17:00 Venue: Cat Club, Luxembourg-Hollerich Organiser: paperJam Business Club club.paperjam.lu

One of Europe’s main “impact investing” forums, the conference will cover investment opportunities, regulatory changes and retail distribution.

Time: 9:30 Venue: Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, Luxembourg-Kirchberg Organiser: ALFI with LuxFLAG www.alfi.lu

22 •

definition, implementation and re-assessment of employee engagement plans. Speakers include CoachDynamix’s Monica Jonsson.

Time: 18:30 Venue: Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, Luxembourg-Kirchberg Organiser: British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg www.bcc.lu

23

• mar

agm and speednetworking

The Network holds its annual general meeting, followed by speed-networking.

Time: 19:30 Venue: Sofitel, Luxembourg-Kirchberg Organiser: The Network www.the-network.lu

business

23 •

mar

PRIVATE EQUITY FUND SERVICING

Conference focusing on the impact of the AIFM Directive and Dodd Frank Act on the private equity fund servicing sector.

Time: 8:30-17:00 Venue: Kikuoka Golf Club, Canach Organiser: MGI Management Global Information www.mgi-direct.ch

28

• mar

29

• mar

SMARTER LEADERSHIP: mar FROM VISION TO ACTION

29 •

IBM Europe chairman Harry Van Dorenmalen will detail his vision for smarter leadership. What can leaders do? How can they re-invent their role and develop their organisation, in both a humane and effective way?

Time: 18:30 Venue: To be announced Organiser: paperJam Business Club club.paperjam.lu

BANKING, PRODUCTIVITY & GROWTH

4

• apr

7•

apr

APRIL ABAL LUNCHEON

Jean-Claude Knebeler, director of foreign trade at the ministry of economy & foreign trade, will discuss the challenges and solutions for promoting Luxembourg and trade.

Time: 12:00 Venue: Légère Hotel, Munsbach Organiser: American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg www.amcham.lu

6•

apr

Conference to conclude the three-year “Perfilux” research project on the financial industry.

Speakers include Luxembourg School of Finance Professor Christian Wolff.

Time: Monday at 14:00 and Tuesday at 9:30 Venue: University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg-Kirchberg Organisers: Luxembourg School of Finance, Banque Centrale du Luxembourg and STATEC www.bcl.lu

april

7•

apr

8•

apr

MED-E-TEL

29

• mar

30

• mar

EFFECTIVE PRESENTATION SKILLS Two-day training session will detail the skills and techniques needed for successful internal and external presentations.

The 9th annual Med-e-Tel conference focuses on ehealth, telemedicine and medical ICT applications. Experts gather from more than 50 European countries.

Time: Wednesday 9:30-17:30, Thursday 9:00-18:00, Friday 9:00-16:00 Venue: Luxexpo, Luxembourg-Kirchberg Organiser: ISfTeH www.medetel.eu

LUXEMBOURG 2015 (PART II)

The event will involve speakers from the ministry of transportation, the ministry of employment and the school community; key issues will include transportation, education and career opportunities.

Time: 18:00 Venue: International School of Luxembourg, Luxembourg-Merl Organiser: American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg www.amcham.lu

13 •

apr

JUNIOR CHAMBER

The Junior Chamber of Commerce Luxembourg meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month. The group promotes citizenship and entrepreneurship for 18-40 year olds.

Time: 19:30 Venue: Brasserie de l‘Abbaye de Neumünster, Luxembourg-Grund Organiser: JCI Luxembourg www.jciluxembourg.com

Time: 9:00-17:00 both days Venue: To be announced Organiser: Tower Training & Consulting www.ttc.lu

March 2011 - delano - 45

cover story

Betty Fontaine

“ there is a trend for authentic regional produce” The head of the Simon brewery has successfully remodelled the company in her own style. Betty Fontaine talks about the challenge of finding niche markets, the problems facing independent brewers and offers her opinion on gender equality.

Text: Duncan Roberts — Photos: David Laurent/Wide — Shot with analogic Mju camera

Betty Fontaine: a keen beer drinker

Betty Fontaine studied mechanical engineering in Liège, never thinking that one day she would take over the brewery from her father. Although it may be old-fashioned to say so, with an older brother in the picture it seemed unlikely that she would succeed Jacques Fontaine, the fourth generation of the family to run the Simon brewery. “I had what one might call a classic upbringing. My mum was at home and my father worked, and that was my blueprint. I never thought I would spend my entire life pursuing a career. I wanted to study, to have the basics and thought I would then see what happens.” But Fontaine fils was more interested in his passion for IT than in the brewing industry, and soon made it clear that he did not want to take over the reins. Betty Fontaine recalls that she was 22 or 23 when she decided that she could join her father.

“He was naturally delighted. But then I decided to take an MBA in Nancy. Because having technical know-how is all well

and good, but I wanted to at least have the theoretical management, accountancy, marketing skills so that I could cover all areas of the business.”

She was 26 when she finally started working at the brewery in September 2003, although she had become coowner back in 2001. As second in charge to her father, she was thrown in at the deep end straight away. “He wanted me to learn to make decisions right from the start. He withdrew from certain areas so I could take charge, and of course I made mistakes. But that is the best way to learn.” Betty readily admits, for example, that she totally underestimated how much time and energy would have to be spent on human resources. “I knew the personnel very well and they knew me, so I really thought that would take care of itself,” she says. “In the meantime I have found my measure, but I was totally unaware of how diverse and difficult managing human resources could be.”

In 2006 Betty took sole charge of

Brasserie Simon sàrl as managing director. And five years later she has found her rhythm. “There is increasingly more to do, but it has become easier to manage because you simply get used to taking decisions.” But she concedes that she did take the bull by its horns, so to speak, and relieved some people at the brewery of their sole decision making powers so that she could have a more global vision of the company. “I like to do things in tandem that before were the sole responsibility of one person.”

New vision So, was she accepted by staff when she took over from her father? Betty recalls that there were two sides to their reaction. On the one hand she was accepted because she was the daughter of Jaques Fontaine. On the other hand there was some grinding of teeth because she was young and inexperienced and, says Betty, because she changed several things straight away. “I have a different

March 2011 - delano - 47

cover story

Carbon footprint: transport is kept to a minimum by using raw products from the region Forebears: the brewery in Wiltz bears the name of Jules Simon, who became sole proprietor in 1906

Stacked: the distinctive yellow cases await delivery Tradition: the brewery’s inox fermenting tanks

vision to my father. And it was typical to react that way not only because of the change in generation, but any change in owner. But globally it went well--some staff left, others were let go but we also hired new employees.”

Being accepted by your own staff is one thing, acceptance within the industry is quite another. But Betty has made her mark in Luxembourg. She was, for example, the last president of the Fédération des Brasseurs Luxembourgeois before it was dissolved in 2006.

The problem was that the three remaining breweries in the Grand Duchy had rather different interests.

Simon is tiny compared to the Brasserie Nationale which makes Bofferding and Battin and is completely dwarfed by InBev, the Belgian giant that now owns the Brasserie de Luxembourg and produces the Diekirch and Mousel brands. “Our needs as a small brewery are very different to theirs,” Betty explains.

“Bofferding is independent but still much

48 - delano - March 2011

bigger than us and InBev, as the world market leader, has different interests again. When there were more breweries, when Mousel and Diekirch were separate and before Battin was bought by Bofferding, then it was more interesting.” On the other hand, Simon has established synergies with other micro-breweries in the region that involve brewing or simply bottling beer for them.

Needless to say, as an interested party Betty has her own opinion on the controversy surrounding InBev’s plans last year to cease production at Diekirch.

The Belgian company announced in January 2010 that it would move production to Belgium, but was met with an impressive grass-roots campaign to save the brewery. “I think Diekirch were surprised by the reaction. Luxembourgers are proud of their national produce and if there is no reason for them to buy it because it is no longer made in Luxembourg, they will cease to consume it.” She admits to

We want to promote beer as a product to savour” being a sceptic, but thinks Diekirch will still disappear from Luxembourg, and that the public will not make such a fuss when that happens because they have been prepared for the eventuality.

“The real reaction should have come ten or eleven years ago when InBev first bought the brewery. It is only now, when the brewery was threatened with closure, that they realise what the implications of that move were.”

cover story

Historical: the brewery offices are littered with memorabilia

Memories: brewing in Wiltz dates back to 1824 Draught: only one third of Simon’s income is from the HoReCa business

Simon now focuses on niche products and clever branding. “It is impossible to compete with the two big players on the Luxembourg market,” Betty explains.

“We want to promote beer as a product to savour, not something for mass consumption. That is why we make specialist beers.

I think there is a trend for authentic regional produce. People are getting tired of always consuming the same food and drink wherever they are.” So, in 2006 under Betty’s watch, Simon took over the Ourdaller Brauerei and started making beers at its Cornelyshaff site.

A year later Betty decided to relaunch the Okult organic beer brand, having bought the label in 2007 after the collapse of original micro-brewery in Redange. So far only the Okult blanche beer has been relaunched. “It was the best seller, and we make it at the Ourdall brewery. But I still have in my mind to relaunch the Okult stout--especially for the expat community here in Luxembourg.”

One of the biggest marketing coups

was the launch in summer of 2010 of the Simon Pils aluminium bottles with the Red Lion logo on a white background. “Well, we are a Luxembourg company,” says Betty. “And we want to reinforce our Luxembourg roots.” The aluminium bottles were first launched for the Regal brand in 2008 and have proven to be a hit. They can be recycled--although that means they are only used once--and also weigh less, which cuts down on transport costs. regional produce Simon further underlines its local roots by using regional raw produce as much as possible. “The closer the better as far as we are concerned, even though it might be cheaper to buy raw products elsewhere.

But I think that my clientele is in the area, so if I earn money from them I can give it back by buying local.”

Beer consumption in Luxembourg, like elsewhere in Europe, is in decline.

Many young people are more likely to

drink sweet alcopops, which also have the backing of aggressive marketing, than go for the bitter taste of beer. In any case, says Betty, people are drinking less alcohol in general. “Alcohol has received an even more negative image over the past few years through increased police checks and health campaigns haven’t helped.” But the recent financial crisis has not really affected consumption (“the crisis in beer consumption came six years ago”), on the contrary Betty thinks that when times are bad people are more likely to go for a drink after work.

“For the social occasion and good memories rather than the alcohol. A glass or two won’t really hurt anyone’s pocket.”

The much talked about blanket ban on smoking in bars and pubs will, however, have dramatic consequences for beer consumption, according to Betty.

“I fully understand the purpose of such a law, that those who don’t smoke or who work in a café environment need protecting. But we must be fully aware of the eco-

March 2011 - delano - 49

cover story

Keeping cool: the three-storey refrigeration tower dates from 1965

National pride: the red lion forms the background of the brewery logo

Flowered up: Simon is as much as symbol of Wiltz as the annual Broom festival at Pentecost

nomic consequences of the law. I would leave it up to individual bars and cafés-the no-smoking cafés would attract nonsmokers and those looking for work could also have more choice.” Simon stands to be less affected than other breweries because just one-third of its income comes from bars and cafés, whereas for Bofferding and Diekirch income is split roughly 50 percent between retail sales and bar sales. “The Luxembourg market for concessions is pretty much tied up, so it is difficult for us to get into the HoReCa market,” she explains.

In 2008 Betty was awarded the title of Dexia Business Manager of the Year.

So how is she viewed as a woman in what is typically seen as a man’s business? “The first question I am always asked is whether I drink beer. I am astonished. I mean, how am I meant to sell and market beer with passion if I don’t drink it? I am a keen beer drinker and there are plenty of women who drink beer, so it is a shame if people are trying to close the door on us.”

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Nevertheless, because she is young and female, Betty is usually met with positive reactions from others in the industry. Indeed, Betty is slightly critical of feminism and is opposed to quotas for management boardrooms as proposed

by Luxembourg’s EU Commissioner Viviane Reding. “But what I am militant about is encouraging women to network more. Men function so well in that world, and I do as well. But too many women remain in the background and don’t trust themselves to join clubs or associations. You need contacts to exchange ideas.” As the current general secretary of the Fédération des Femmes Cheffes d’Entreprise, she wants to build a network that allows women to do just that.

And, in the name of equality, Betty is keen to underline the fact that she runs the brewery with her husband, Pierre Forthomme, who joined the company in 2005. “If women are sometimes forgotten, then I cannot forget to mention him,” she concludes with a smile.

History

Fifth generation

Betty Fontaine is the fifth generation of her family to run the Simon brewery, but she is not the first woman. That honour belongs to her grandmother, Jacqueline Simon, who gave the enterprise to her son, Jacques Fontaine, in 1975. Jacqueline Simon had taken over the brewery from her father, Joseph who had also been the mayor of Wiltz and a parliamentary deputy. Joseph was the son of founder Jules Simon, who had purchased the brewery at auction along with a partner, Charles Mathieu in 1891. When Mathieu quit in 1906, Jules became the sole owner of the brewery and it was handed down from generation to generation.

Koichi Matsumoto

cropmark.lu

Anita Rucekeli Officer, Nomura Bank (Luxembourg) S.A. LSF Student

President and Managing Director, Nomura Bank (Luxembourg) S.A.

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3/03/11 15:01:38

networking

The British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg

Networking for a wide business community For close to 20 years the British Chamber of Commerce has been providing its members with opportunities to meet and discuss the relevant issues of the day.

It was in 1992 that a group of Englishspeaking business leaders in Luxembourg decided to form their own association, splitting from what was until then a chapter of the Brussels-based Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce. “The Luxembourg chapter was not very active,” explains current chairman Robert Deed. “They held an annual dinner and that was about it.”

Among those instrumental in establishing The British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg was the recently deceased Edmond Israel (see box).

Deed says the split from the Belgian chamber was amicable, but admits

Practical info

The British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg 6, rue Antoine de Saint-Exupéry L-1432 Luxembourg (Kirchberg) Tel: +352 46 54 66 www.bcc.lu

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frankly that expectations for the fledgling BCC were not high. But, 19 years later, the chamber has some 270 members, among them 200 corporate members split between sustaining and business members. But, despite the nomenclature, membership is far from restricted to British companies here in Luxembourg, or to Luxembourg companies with a connection to the UK. A recent question and answer session with minister for the economy and foreign trade Jeannot Krecké underlined the diverse nature of the BCC membership. “He was surprised and impressed at the people he saw there,” says Deed. “That really

Council

Chairman: Robert Deed Secretary: Patrick Birden Financial Secretary: Geoffrey Wakem Vice Chairman: Karl Horsburgh Vice Chairman: Chris Vigar

brought home to me the fact that we are an English-language based organisation rather than a British chamber.”

The chamber’s raison d’être, says Deed, is to provide networking opportunities to its members via structured events that will appeal to diverse members with a common interest. “We are not a lobbying organisation,” he emphasises. “That is partly because the level of bilateral trade between the UK and Luxembourg is relatively modest, even compared, for example, to the USA. There are no UK industrial companies based in Luxembourg, for example, and few sectional interests. If there are, they tend to be

Secretariat Manager: Sophie Kerschen Assistant Manager: Liz Main

Annual Diary Dates: Annual General Meeting: Wednesday March 30 Luxembourg Chambre de Commerce Golf Day & Prize-Giving Dinner: Friday July 1 Christmas Lunch: Friday December 16 Hemicycle, Kirchberg

Luc Deflorenne/archives

networking

In praise of

Olivier Minaire

Edmond Israel

Robert Deed: networking is the chamber's raison d'être

in common with other nationalities from the EU or language based, rather than specifically linked to the UK.” Indeed, issues that affect UK businesses and business people, such as English-language education opportunities in Luxembourg, are tackled together with colleagues from the American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg (AMCHAM). “There is often a commonality of interest” says Deed. “So sometimes we put our shoulder behind those efforts.” BCC also supports initiatives launched by its landlord, the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce under its director Pierre Gramegna, for whom Deed has plenty of admiration.

“During his diplomatic career he was exposed to different commercial and financial centres. He is more interested in the international chambers here in Luxembourg than any of his predecessors.” social basis Alongside AMCHAM and the Chambre Française de Commerce et d’Industrie de Luxembourg, BCC has a permanent office in the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce’s purpose-built

Kirchberg headquarters. Office manager Sophie Kerschen and assistant Liz Main take care of the day to day running of the chamber and organisation of events. As well as regular speaking events, highlights of the BCC year include the annual international chambers event addressed last year by JeanClaude Juncker, as well as a golf day and Christmas lunch. “I think members do like to come to non-business events like the Christmas lunch where they can mix on a more social basis.”

The chamber has a number of subjectbased groups that look at areas of interest such as financial services, tax regulation, HR and trainings and media and technology. They try to flag relevant issues that the chamber can use to plan future events. “We have to be careful that we don’t replicate events that are already happening in the market,” says Deed. But even so, and despite the crisis and subsequent, the chamber has managed to grow. “There is a core of long term members, but we have also attracted new blood which is always interesting to add a new perspective. And it shows we DR are doing something right.”

The British Chamber owes, one might say, its very existence to Edmond Israel, who passed away on February 3 at the age of 86.

Twenty years ago, Israel decided Luxembourg deserved its own British chamber and, as a result, the British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg was formed.

His invaluable contributions to the chamber continued throughout the 20 years of its history to date.

He virtually never missed an event or a Council meeting and, even if he had to leave early he would never go without putting forward at least one and usually more ideas for new ways of doing things, new ways of thinking or new proposals for future events, always thought-provoking and always valuable. He remained the chamber’s honorary chairman right up until his death.

March 2011 - delano - 53

lifestyle going native

Local events

Invitation aux Musées

Every year over the last weekend in March the d’stater muséeën group of museums in the capital city open their doors late to the public. The three-day event features thematic tours of current exhibitions, workshops, behind-the-scenes glimpses of how museums work, live entertainment, meetings with artists and even special food and drink. For the 14th edition of this popular event, the organisers have once again extended it beyond the city limits to incorporate a total of 26 museums throughout the Grand Duchy.

March 25 to 27, museums throughout the country, www.invitation-aux-musees.lu

Comhaltas

St. Patrick’s celebrations & Céili Mor

Although the huge celebrations under a marquee in the place d’Armes were sadly shortlived, the celebration of Ireland’s national day continues unabated. The Pyg (Clausen) and The Black Stuff (Pulvermühl) both host great parties on and around the 17th. Urban attracts its usual crowd and serves up traditional Irish food, while Gareth O’Neill at Decibel promises an “alternative” St. Patrick’s. For a more family-style celebration, head to the Céili Mor organized by Irish cultural circle Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and featuring live music from Heartlands.

March 17, www.thepyg.lu, www.blackstuff.lu, www.urban.lu, www.decibel.lu Céili Mor, March 19, www.comhaltas.lu

Luxembourg is...

“ More than a feeling, but less than a passion. Could be paradise, but where the hell is redemption?”

Robert Garcia: director CarréRotondes, Espace Culturel

Club life

A regular list of local associations.

Submit a text for inclusion by sending a mail to: duncan.roberts@maisonmoderne.lu

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Douglas Rintoul

Tom Lucas / MNHA

Three stimulating activities

Acting workshop

English theatre director Douglas Rintoul returns to Luxembourg to direct Patrick Marber’s Closer later in April. In conjunction with his visit, Rintoul will hold free English-language theatre workshops on four dates. Rintoul says the aim of the workshops is to “commit to truthful acting.” He will explore short scenes from Noel Coward, Harold Pinter and Patrick Marber, investigating the text through specific techniques, games, group exercises and improvisation.

The workshops are open to any standard of performer, professional, semi-professional or amateur aged over 18.

It is not Rintoul’s first time in Luxembourg.

In 2008 he directed Jules Werner, Miriam Müller and Tom Leick in a production of Noël Coward’s A Design for Living at the Théâtre des Capucins, and in 2005 he was at the Grand Théâtre as associate director of the Barbican’s touring production of Julius Casear. He is now the artistic director of Transport for which he directed the first major revival and English premiere of David Greig's 1994 play Europe, and has just directed his first short film The Drop.

April 5, 12, 19 & 26, 18:30 to 21:30, Grand Théâtre, contact Patrick Thill - pathill@vdl.lu

Social

Sports

Aimed at English-speaking women, regardless of nationality, living in and around Luxembourg.

Open to all, the club fields men’s and ladies’ teams in football, hurling and camogie in official European leagues. www.luxembourg.europe.gaa.ie

British Ladies’ Club of Luxembourg www.bcl.lu

Gaelic Sports Club Luxembourg

going native lifestyle

People in the news

THE CRUCIAL THREE Archbishop Fernand Franck

The Knowledge How to...

Obtain a “B“ category driving licence

David laurent/Wide

Although he had announced his retirement two years ago, when he turned 75, Archbishop Fernand Franck is only likely to step down from his post later this year after a successor has been found. The Archbishop, the son of an Arbed police chief, entered the priesthood in 1954 and was a chaplain in Differdange before becoming priest in the parish of Clausen from 1971 to 1977. He then held various posts in Rome before being named as Archbishop by Pope Jean-Paul II in 1990. A successor is currently being sought, and the Pope’s permanent representative is seeking three candidates to present to the Pope, who will have the final say (though the Council of State does have a right of veto). www.catholic.lu

Désirée Nosbusch

Désirée Nosbusch and her Deal Productions company have won the competition to produce Luxembourg’s very first sitcom. The 24-part series, titled Weemseesdet, is written

by Claude Lahr and Marc Wimpach, and will be broadcast this autumn. Nosbusch shot to local fame as a 12-year old presenter on RTL Radio, then became hugely successful in Germany as a TV presenter on a succession of music programmes and as an actress.

She has since studied directing and producing at the University of Southern California and directed her first short film, Ice Cream Sundae (starring Tippi Hedren) in 2001.

1 Driving licences issued by EU member states are valid in Luxembourg; however they must be registered with the ministry of transport. They can also be exchanged for a Luxembourg licence.

2 Non-drivers over the age of 17 years must start the process to obtain a licence by registering with an SNCT approved driving school.

3 Learner drivers must take at least 12 one-hour theory lessons and pass a theory exam before they can start practical lessons.

4 A minimum of 16 one-hour practical lessons with a qualified instructor must be taken before sitting the practical examination.

5 Learner drivers can practice if accompanied by an experienced driver who has had a clean category “B“ licence for over six years.

www.desireenosbusch.com

Sascha Ley

March is a busy month for singer-actress Sascha Ley as she tours with her Femme Totale show and performs A schéine Bonjour vun Lëtzebuerg at the Inoui in Redange. The former is a charming concert featuring chansons done in Sascha’s inimitable style. The latter a collection of readings and songs about Luxembourg through the ages. As if to prove her versatility, in May Sascha is off to Burkina Faso to perform with her female jazz trio Kalima.

More information is available at www.snct.lu

www.saschaley.net

Theatre

Political

English-speaking musical theatre group that produces one or two shows a year and also hosts social events.

An official group that hosts regular meetings and social events as well as election registration drives.

Pirate Productions www.pirates.lu

Democrats Abroad

www.democratsabroad.org/group/Luxembourg

activity

British Guides in Luxembourg

A local division of Girlguiding UK, with very active Rainbow, Brownie, Guide and Senior section groups. www.bglux.eu

March 2011 - delano - 55

lifestyle

Seven live performances to watch

on stage

classical Music

Julien Becker

The Rites of Spring explained

The Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg, conducted by Hugh Wolff, continues its “Dating” series with a look at Igor Stravinsky’s most famous work, The Rites of Spring.

Actors Tom Leick and Nicole Max present the evening, explaining the historical and musical context of what was a highly controversial work upon its first performance in Paris in 1913, and the influence of which can still be felt today.

April 6, 19:00, Philharmonie, www.philharmonie.lu

music

Get their hooks into you Pitchfork has described Australian collective Architecture in Helsinki as “producing a sound like a third-grade music class let loose in a music instrument warehouse.” While the band’s five multi-instrumentalists can over indulge at times, their new album, Moment Bends, is said to be delightfully focused and hook-laden. Whether Moment Bends, due for release on April 11, will live up to its predecessors Fingers Crossed (the 2004 debut), 2005’s In Case We Die (their masterpiece so far) or last effort Places Like This, remains to be seen.

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The band members describe it as “the first great modernist pop album of 2011.”

Certainly first single ‘Contact High’ is a gorgeous pop classic that will get fans on the dancefloor, though it doesn’t quite have the immediacy of the 2008 single ‘That Beep’. One thing is sure: when the band is on form in a live setting, Architecture in Helsinki produces an infectious sound and entertains with self-deprecating humour that makes it quite unique.

April 7, 21:00, Exit07 (CarréRotondes), www.rotondes.lu

Live cinema

Epic sound and vision Composer Carl Davis makes his annual appearance for the Cinémathèque, conducting the OPL at the Philharmonie. This year Davis is bringing back to Luxembourg his score for DW Griffiths’ Intolerance. The director splices four independent stories from different eras into an epic account of how intolerance has affected humanity through the ages. Lillian Gish and Erich von Stroheim are among the stars of the silent screen.

April 1 & 2, 20:00, Philharmonie, www.philharmonie.lu

lifestyle music

My dark places Singer-songwriter-guitarist Anna Calvi’s The Attic Sessions videos were instrumental in garnering critical acclaim and a celebrity following--Brian Eno even called her “the biggest thing since Patti Smith.” The videos feature delicately beautiful covers of songs by the likes of Elvis, Leonard Cohen and David Bowie and were so impressive that she was placed on the BBC’s Sounds of 2011 list. Calvi is on tour with her self-titled debut album, a collection of songs that explore intimacy, passion and loneliness.

Catch her while you can in the sort of intimate venue her music deserves.

March 27, 20:00, den Atelier, www.atelier.lu

Theatre

Life’s a drag, and then you die Actor Nickel Bösenberg throws himself physically and mentally into the role of Janis Joplin in The 27 Club:Deconstructing Janis.

Conceived by Linda Bonvini and Anne Simon, the English-language show features music and texts that help illustrate Joplin’s complex and tragically short life--she is one of a clutch of rock stars who died at the age of 27, hence the title.

March 12, 18, 24 & 25, 21:30, Théâtre National du Luxembourg, www.tnl.lu

music

Steve Eastwood

Latin flavour

dance

Ernie Hammes has come a long way since his stint as solo trumpet player with the Musique Militaire Grand-Ducale. After studying at the Manhattan School of Music he has become a leading light of the jazz scene and has been praised by the likes of Maynard Ferguson. Hammes pursues his love of Latin jazz on latest album Sanfrancha and plays live with his Cubop band as part of the Printemps Musical festival.

March 23, 20:30, den Atelier, www.printempsmusical.lu

The long goodbye In LogoZoo, Luxembourg choreographer Jean-Guillaume Weis examines the very human emotions that we experience when we part--whether it be a simple goodbye or a final farewell. The title of the piece hints at the human jungle inhabited by the dancers in this dramatic, yet humorous, piece. Weis originally made a name for himself as a dancer in his own right--he learned his craft at the Pina Bausch company in Wuppertal--but has recently focused more on theatrical choreography. His last show, Drums and Dance, Rituals, featured a live band on stage and was very well received. LogoZoo features Sylvia Camarda, Nitay Lehrer, Benjamin Kahn among other dancers.

March 23, 26 & 29, 20:00, Théâtre National du Luxembourg, www.tnl.lu

March 2011 - delano - 57

lifestyle Contemporary

ART DIRECT

Historical

European iconography

CharlElie

Those in the market for accessibly priced contemporary art should visit art.metz. The event is a chance to meet and buy direct from about 100 local and international artists. This edition features a “Young Talents of the Greater Region” pavilion, a chance to spot artists before their star rises. The Chinese and Korean pavilions feature dozens of artists whose work is well known at home but rarely shown in Europe. Entry is €8, or €9 for a joint weekend ticket to the Pompidou Centre, including a free shuttle between the two sites.

April 1-4, Metz-Expo, www.artmetz.com

Four exhibitions to see

Visual Arts

March 25 until March 25 2012, Musée d’Histoire de la Ville de Luxembourg, www.mhvl.lu

Historical

The father of science fiction Like photographer Edward Steichen before him, Hugo Gernsback was a giant in his field. However, unlike Steichen, Gernsback--dubbed the “ father of modern science fiction”--has rarely been honoured in the country of his birth. Until now, that is. Hugo Gernsback, An Amazing Story examines his life and works. And those works were manifold. Hugo Gernsbacher, as he was born in 1884, turned out to be an inventor, scientist, publisher and author. After emigrating to the United States in 1905, Gernsback went on to found Amazing Stories, the first magazine dedicated to the science fiction genre. He was also a pioneer of radio and television, but it is for science fiction that he will always

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Europe à l’Affiche features over 300 posters that tell the story of the history of the European Union and illustrate how approaches to graphic art differed from country to country within Europe. The exhibition also includes all 25 posters from the publicity campaign for the Marshall Plan.

Contemporary

Photographic qualities be remembered--the World Science Fiction Society even names its annual awards “Hugos” in his honour. A fascinating catalogue, written by Luc Henzig, Paul Lesch and Ralph Letsch, is also available.

Until March 18, Centre National de Littérature, Mersch, www.cnl.public.lu

Simon Nicholas’ paintings have an unerring photographic quality about them, even though they are painted from memory. The places in his latest works, many on an impressive scale, are anonymous, though to the discerning eye the beaches of Florida or the iconic structure of Berlin’s Tempelhof airport can be recognised in some of the details.

Until March 19, Galerie Clairefontaine 1, www.galerie-clairefontaine.lu

4 P.M. (F/D/L ) EN GL I

WW W.M HVL.LU

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GUIDE D TOU RS: LUXEM BOUR G’S HIST FOR D ORY UMMI ES

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Conception & layout : apart © Photo : Andrés Lejona

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lifestyle

Four films to watch

on screen Never Let Me Go

Film 4

Mark Romanek’s adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's mesmerising, beautifully disturbing novel has won plenty of plaudits yet seems to have been cruelly overlooked for major awards. Romanek focuses with simple delicacy on the complex relationships between the three main characters, played here by Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightley. They have grown up together in a very English institutional home with strict rules and an altogether sinister purpose, though its innocent boarders seem to have accepted their fate to serve the greater good of humanity. Except that the institution’s rules allow for any couple who fall in love, and can prove it, to have their fate deferred. Critics have hailed this as a memorably haunting and meditative film.

Released March 11

Route Irish

BBC Films

Being human Made in Dagenham

Equals among men Films like Nigel Cole’s have come to define British comedy in the eyes of the world. Like Calendar Girls and The Full Monty, Made in Dagenham focuses on a small group of friends bonding for a cause in the face of adversity and finding dignity and empowerment in often undignified circumstances. Sally Hawkins stars as the leader of a group of female Ford factory workers demanding equal pay with the male counterparts in 1968 Britain. Based on a true story, the film also stars Miranda Richardson as Labour party icon Barbara Castle and Bob Hoskins as a sympathetic union steward.

Released March 11

Dead end road

Ken Loach’s often brutal political revenge thriller has sneaked under the radar since a mixed reception in Cannes last year. It tells the story of a military contractor (Mark Womack) in Baghdad investigating the death of his friend on the road of the title just outside the Green Zone. He is met with opposition from higher powers seeking to protect their investments.

Released March 18

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Through the badlands

Anonymous Content

Sixteen Films

Winter’s Bone

The darker side of deepest rural America makes for fascinating movies--think Badlands or Deliverance and the stunning images and evil characters those very titles conjure up. Winter’s Bone is set in the Ozark Mountains and follows the journey of a 17-year old girl (played by Jennifer Lawrence) in search of her father.

It is a journey through desolate landscapes fraught with danger and filled with desperate characters, but that doesn’t seem to faze our heroine, who pursues her task with determination, courage and what might be called blind optimism.

Released March 4

Organize your corporate events at

catclub

18, rue de l’Alcérie | L-1112 Hollerich / Luxembourg Tél. : 40 08 15 69 | www.catclub.lu | info@catclub.lu

Catclub_delano.indd 1

09.02.2011 15:49:48 Uhr

Guillou Campagne

lifestyle

David Laurent/Wide

Behind bars

Colin Hodgett at The Pyg

Just opened

Guillou Campagne Following the closure of the renowned La Table des Guilloux last year, the Schouweiler venue has re-opened as Guillou Campagne.

Its cuisine may not be aiming for Michelin stars, but it is still exquisite fare based on a more rustic and traditional approach--as the name suggests. A range of pork dishes and tartines can be had as starters, while main dishes include saucisse de Toulouse and cuisse de confit de canard maison. The restaurant even has its own épicerie corner, so diners can take home the flavours of Guillou Campagne.

The Pyg celebrated its 21st anniversary in 2010, and Colin Hodgett has been pulling pints there for the past six years. The native of Englinton, Co. Derry, via Belfast, arrived in Luxembourg after his brother-in-law, Conor Magee, asked him to come over and help out at the bar he had just taken over. “I hadn’t worked behind a bar before, just drunk on the other side. I have given that up,” he smiles.

Colin soon became a permanent fixture down in Clausen and loves The Pyg when it’s busy and he can engage customers in cheeky and cheery banter. And his secret to pulling a good pint of Guinness? “Just take your time.” www.thepyg.lu

News and recommendations for

Our favourite shop

Relaxing

Les chocolats d’edouard

The Havana Lounge David Laurent/Wide

Edouard Bechoux is a master confectioner who belongs to the exclusive Best Belgian Chocolate of the World group. Passionate about food since his early teens, Bechoux studied in Italy where he says he learned there was no limit to the imagination as far as confectionery was concerned. Now he has opened a Luxembourg outlet. www.leschocolatsdedouard.lu

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Sofitel

EPICUREANS AND NIGHT OWLS

www.resto.lu/guilloucampagne

After more than 10 years, the Havana Lounge at Sofitel Luxembourg Europe remains one of the premium venues at which to relax over a good Cuban cigar and a glass of exquisite rum, cognac or whisky. Food and beverage manager Christophe Bataille says that although the lounge attracts businessmen, more and more female customers are happy to find a place where they can smoke a cigar without being considered special.

Christophe is joined by Zito, who runs the Cubana Humidor, and head of bar Tanja, both experts in their field.

A range of over 35 whiskies includes an 18-year old Laphroaig, a 25-year old Talikser and Yamazaki Sherry Cask, voted best Japanese whisky last year. Guests seeking a taste of the Caribbean can try a 15 year old Havana Club añejo Grand Reserva or a 1976 Clément rum. www.sofitel.com

lifestyle

Good table guide

Fine Italian dining Text: Duncan Roberts — Photos: Julien Becker

mosconi Italian cuisine has been a part of the Luxembourg culinary tradition since the first immigrants arrived in the late 19th century. But it is only relatively recently that fine dining with Italian influence has established itself. First and foremost is Mosconi in the Grund, which is now the only restaurant in Luxembourg with two Michelin stars--indeed, it is the only Italian outside Italy to hold that honour. It is priced accordingly, but well worth it for exquisite food using the finest ingredients, such as white Alba truffles, coupled with outstanding service.

Mosconi, 13, rue Münster, Luxembourg-Grund, tel: 54 69 94, www.mosconi.lu

Sapori

Sapori on the place Dargent is the sort of stylish place that looks off-putting to the casual diner.

The atmosphere, however, is relaxed and the service is welcoming and just the right side of efficient.

A fricassee of quail with seasonal mushrooms is an example of the originality of the menu, while the restaurant’s home-made pasta is quite simply exquisite.

Sapori, 11, place Dargent, Luxembourg-Eich, tel: 26 43 28 28, www.sapori.lu

Lounge Favaro

Oro e Argento

Up on Kirchberg, the Oro e Argento restaurant in the Sofitel LuxembourgEurope is another fine venue. Manned by an Italian team, the restaurant holds regular festivals featuring specialities from different regions of Italy, inviting top chefs to create unique menus for the occasion. It also has a wine list with over 150 vintages as well as a great selection of grappa.

Oro e Argento, Sofitel Luxembourg-Europe, 4, rue du Fort Niedergrunewald, LuxembourgKirchberg, tel: 43 77 68 70, www.sofitel.com

Renato Favaro in Esch is another Italian to hold a Michelin star, though the French and world cuisine influences mean Ristorante Favaro would be hard pushed to describe itself as Italian. Instead, head for his Lounge Favaro in the same city for an authentic taste of Italy, with delights such as a Penne Lisce aux Noix de Saint-Jacques or handchopped organic Piedmont beef.

Lounge Favaro, 19, rue des Remparts, Esch/Alzette, tel: 54 27 23-1, www.lounge-favaro.lu

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lifestyle

Three tips for body and mind

WELL-BEING Fitness

David Laurent / Wide

Team building

David Laurent / Wide

Undoubtedly one of the most stylish fitness centres in Luxembourg, Ellipse is now offering corporate clients a special “team building” programme. Groups of at least four employees of the same company can take a tailor-made personal training session and then take advantage of the centre’s spa facilities, which incorporates hammam, sauna and jacuzzi, and relax in the Ellipse lounge. www.ellipse.lu

Health

A new form of alternative therapy has arrived in Luxembourg. Cryogenic chamber therapy is, as the Greek name suggests, a treatment using extremely low temperatures to relieve and cure a whole range of ills and symptoms. While new technology using liquid nitrogen allows patients to experience temperatures of between -120 and -160 degrees in state-of-the-art cold rooms, the principle of using extreme cold to cure ailments has been around for centuries. Cryotherapy cabins were first used in Japan back in the late 19th century, but the new technology used at CryoLux on the côte d’Eich was first invented in the 1970s--again in Japan.

Patients undergoing whole body therapy are protected from the effects of frostbite by wearing gloves, socks, a headband or hat and a double compression mask.

A typical session lasts between two and three minutes and is always carried out under medical supervision. The therapy releases endorphins, which trigger pain relief, but it is claimed that the long-term effects can benefit patients with high stress levels, insomnia, muscle and joint pain, rheumatism and psoriasis. It can also have a positive effect on the immune system and help sufferers of Parkinson’s disease or Multiple Sclerosis. Patients will typically take between five and 20 sessions depending on their requirements. www.cryolux.lu

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La Grotte Saline

The big freeze

Health

Getting salty La Grotte Saline, recently opened in the city, offers visitors a range of salt based therapies. The grotto itself is composed of around 20 tonnes of natural salt from the Himalayas and the Dead Sea. It is claimed that spending some 45 minutes relaxing in this atmosphere can help with skin diseases, migraines, various allergies, cardiac and breathing difficulties. www.lagrottesaline.lu

lifestyle Classical music

The Orchestre Philharmonique Luxembourg’s Login:Music programme encourages youngsters to discover classical music by appealing to their sense of fun and adventure and curiosity. Indianer is the second in a three-part series of family concerts. Nadine Kauffmann introduces two pieces of music connected with North American Indians. Firstly Kerry Turner’s Karankawa (Tone Poem for Symphony Orchestra), in which the OPL horn player describes the historical battle between French settlers and the Karankawa tribe in 1685. The second is Antonín Dvorák’s New World Symphony No 9, which incorporates Indian melodies. The introduction is in Luxembourgish, but with English subtitles.

Jessica Theis

Indian rhythms Art

Holiday workshops With a slew of school holidays on the horizon, now is the time to think about registering children for one of the workshops at Casino Luxembourg-Forum d’art contemporain.

Aimed at 6 to 12-year olds, the education department workshops awaken children’s interest for contemporary art and encourage them to develop their own artistic projects.

Advance booking required.

School holidays, 2x3 hours, Casino Luxembourg-Forum d’art contemporain, www.casino-luxembourg.lu

March 26, 17:00, Philharmonie, www.philharmonie.lu

Four events for

FAMILIES AND KIDS Cinema

Tati magic Live cinema

Crazy Chaplin Like most great screen comedians, language is no barrier to understanding the genius of Jacques Tati.

While M. Hulot’s Holiday is perhaps more accessible, Jour de Fête remains one of his best films and a true classic thanks to Tati’s beautifully choreographed comedy.

March 27, 15:00, Cinémathèque, www.cinematheque.lu

The annual visit to Luxembourg of Carl Davis for his live cinema with the OPL now features a show for the family on Saturday afternoon. This year’s matinée features Charlie Chaplin’s WWI comedy Shoulder Arms. The film, made in 1918, sees Chaplin as a soldier in training to be shipped out to France to fight the Germans. Chaplin’s comic dexterity is put to good effect during an opening drill scene, but the film gets even better during a lengthy dream sequence in which our hero performs hilarious heroics.

The Chaplin film is preceded by a programme of silent shorts from the Cinéma­ thèque’s Crazy Cinématographe vaults, featuring live piano by Hughes Marechal.

April 1, 15:00, Philharmonie, www.philharmonie.lu

March 2011 - delano - 65

MY OTHER LIFE: VALERIE SCOTT

Musical theatre

AMATEUR DRAMA QUEEN

The head of the Open University’s Luxembourg office has fallen in love with the theatre all over again since moving to the Grand Duchy.

Olivier Minaire

Text: Duncan Roberts

VALERIE SCOTT

Pirate Productions

PIRATE PRODUCTIONS

The musical theatre company sprang from a production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance by what was then the American (now International) School of Luxembourg. Members of the cast and crew were so enthusiastic that they decided to do more shows, and leading lights such as Edward Seymour and director Jane Carter ensured enthusiasm was maintained. Now the group puts on one or two shows a year and welcomes members of all nationalities. The next show is an evening of Wine & Folk from May 11-14. www.pirates.lu

It was through her son, Alex, that Valerie Scott found her way back into the theatre. When Valerie took him along to sign up for a show by Pirate Productions, she soon found herself being enticed to join the group as well. “I had done theatre in school and when I first started work. But then I got a boyfriend and one of my hobbies had to go. It was the theatre or shooting, fencing or hockey.” She had not really considered returning to theatre, but after taking part in her first production, some 25 years after she last trod the boards, Valerie soon caught the bug again. “I had forgotten how much fun it was.”

Since then Valerie has been involved in countless productions, and more recently has moved towards the backstage--“Roles are limited for the mature woman,” she jokes. That has involved a whole range of jobs, from lighting to stage-management and even producing. “When you first start performing in theatre you don’t really realise what’s going on backstage. Everything just magically happens and the audience turns up and you perform and everything is fantastic.

But it requires a whole army.”

Valerie also served as chair of Pirates for one year, and is keen to encourage many of the new and enthusiastic people joining the group to move to the organisation side of things. “Though for backstage, you generally don’t wait for volunteers…” She explains that the main

challenge of running amateur theatre in Luxembourg is the difficulty in finding a proper theatre. Though there are more and more English-speaking productions and venues out of the capital, such as Mersch Kulturhaus, do seem keen to accommodate them.

It is the entire process of putting on a production that fascinates Valerie, and her organisational skills come to the fore when juggling everything that is required to run a show. She was formerly in IT and says that organising a show is just like running a contained project. Modern technology, email and text messaging, has also helped in balancing commitment to a theatre project and work life. “I have about 25 to-do lists, so it is just a matter of prioritising them.”

But Valerie also underlines that Pirates is a very sociable and open theatre group.

“You meet all sorts of people who are enthusiastic and prepared to put themselves on the line. And we are not elitist, which is what I have heard about other groups in the UK. Anyone can walk in and get a lead role.”

Summing up her love of theatre, Valerie likens it to a spider’s web. “People are being transported away from their everyday lives, suspending their disbelief. You are creating a magic web, and if too many threads start breaking, then people stop believing. It’s that desire to keep that web working for the whole time that I love.”

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