Delano June 2017 by Maison Moderne

# 52 J U N E 2017

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T H E F I N T E C H H Y P E JUNE 2017

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#52 NASIR ZUBAIRI Luxembourg House of Financial Technology

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

SUPPLY A DEMAN ND D The co st of too hig housing is si h to ign m ore. ply

Photo: Maison Moderne Statistical sources: Statec, Eurostat, Athome.lu, Athome.de, Statbel, Notaires de France

uxembourg’s population has grown a home in the Trier area was €275,515; 24% over the past decade; the number around Arlon it was €249,816 for a house of residents could surpass 1m in the and €185,823 for a flat; and in the Metz 2060s. Yet during the same period, annual area homes averaged €185,600. building permission for new and renovated Can supply be increased in Luxembourg? housing, measured by cubic metre, has Officials have frequently explained that they remained more or less stable. So where cannot force owners to sell land for develwill all these new residents live? And will opment or rent empty flats. Local planning procedures are complex, but meant to inthey be able to afford it? The government has backed several corporate existing residents’ concerns. worthwhile projects to make the price of So the “simplest solutions” would be housing more accessible. In May, for ex- politically unpopular. Home-owning voters are unlikely to support changes ample, the Société Nationale to eminent domain laws or a des Habitations à Bon Marché THE (national affordable housing sudden release of huge swathes “SIMPLEST company) said it would receive of state-owned land, which a capital injection of around SOLUTIONS” theoretically could depress the value of existing homes (or at €10m, about 20% of its current WOULD BE total. Increased funds are POLITICALLY least dampen the gains they needed to maintain the SNexpecting). UNPOPULAR. were In fairness, I am not 100% HBM’s pace of construction; it builds between 250 and 300 sure what officials should do new homes (including 50 new rental units) to help get more residents into affordable each year. homes and onto the property ladder. Brave Nevertheless, housing prices remain high. politicians might be able to pass a progresAcross the grand duchy, the average rent sively rising tax on unused property, launch for a flat in February was €1,378 (well over a highly subsidised real estate investment a third of average take-home pay) and fund, or wrestle planning power away from €2,357 for a house. The average cost to buy local councils to a possibly more efficient a home was €428,685 at the end of last year national body. But action is needed soon, (versus €305,131 at the end of 2008). The before housing costs become a brake on the cost of a flat in the Centre region was economy. €577,513 and a house was €964,426. Compare those figures to other parts of AARON GRUNWALD the Greater Region. The average price of Editor-in-chief ad interim

ON MY MIND --Notaries hold public real estate auctions (www.notariat.lu). --Fingers crossed for a dry Duke’s Night. --Overdue for some wine tasting excursions. June 2017

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CONTENTS

DELANO JUNE 2017 CURRENT AFFAIRS

From infertility to limitations for same-sex couples, starting a family isn’t always so simple. Here’s what some Luxembourg couples are doing.

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LOCAL ELECTIONS

The drive to get foreigners to register.

BUSINESS

FINTECH WILL CHANGE US

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PATHS TO PARENTHOOD

COVER STORY 34

VC VISOR

How to impress venture capitalists.

New technologies will--eventually--transform the way financial services are delivered. From blockchain to utilities, here’s how the Luxembourg industry will adapt.

LIFESTYLE

In accordance with article 66 of the law of 08.06.2004 on the freedom of expression in the media: the company that publishes Delano is indirectly held, by a stake exceeding 25%, by Mike Koedinger, an independent editor registered in Luxembourg. Mike Koedinger is chartered with daily management. Delano™ and Maison Moderne™ are trademarks used under licence by MM Publishing S.A. © MM Publishing S.A. (Luxembourg) COVER PHOTO

Nasir Zubairi of the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology. NOTE TO OUR READERS

The next print edition of Delano will be published on 7 July. For updates, commentary and our weekly what’s on guide, visit www.delano.lu.

BREXIT BELL

More UK firms are expected in Luxembourg. That will increase demand for English-language schooling. Will the grand duchy be ready for this test?

PET CARE

Cat & dog owners: check out these tips.

June 2017

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CONTENTS

CURRENT AFFAIRS 8

GRAND DUCHY OF CYCLING

BUSINESS

LIFESTYLE

BIG BUT SMALL

A GROWING COMMUNITY

Delano takes a behind-the-scenes look inside a five-star hotel.

DELANO DIGITAL HIGHLIGHTS

ROSA VILLALOBOS How bike racing became Luxembourg’s national sport.

How this community garden is growing more than just fruits & vegetables.

FRENCH ELECTION

SCI-FI AND MORE

How Luxembourg residents reacted as Emmanuel Macron was named president.

Catching up with the businesswoman whose clothing label fights child labour.

How the force was with attendees of Luxcon; make it so!

GOING ONLINE

ONE HAPPY CLUB

An IT executive talks about making the grand duchy a data centre hub, as part of the “Celebrating Luxembourg” series.

EURO & ROME DECLARATION

SMALL BIZ AID

European leaders were hardly enthusiastic on the 60th anniversary of the Rome treaty, says Carlo Klein.

The Nordic Women’s Club is a staple of Luxembourg’s international community. 84

LYNN TAKES ON TOKYO The government’s new scheme to help small and medium sized firms.

Meet the Luxembourg illustrator heading to Japan as an artist-in-residence. 86

The charity AEIN holds Indian & Nepali bazaar icon_website www.delano.lu/snapshots

“AUBERGE ESPAGNOLE”

50TH ANNIVERSARY

I WANNA THANK YOU! Readers thank strangers for their random acts of kindness icon_website www.delano.lu/lifestyle

AN AMERICAN IN LUXEMBOURG

10 STARTUPS The Erasmus+ student exchange programme turns 30.

From artificial intelligence to wearables, these outfits caught our eye. 50

ROAM IF YOU WANT TO

PAUL PHILIPP

Meet a veritable institution of Luxembourg’s football world.

ON THE MOVE

Pulse of Europe is a group taking a pro-EU stand. 22

Take a peek inside Mike McQuaide’s suitcase… Here’s what he brought when he moved to Luxembourg.

A MORNING AT THE MUSEUM

SUMMER BEVERAGES Long-awaited EU rules should consign post-travel mobile bills to the dustbin. 66

RISKY BUSINESS

Managing risk is ever-important in the funds sector.

From raspberry blasters to local cider, you’ll want to break out the ice for these libations. 94

MY TASTE OF HOME

Expats share seasonal recipes from their native lands icon_website www.delano.lu/lifestyle

OUT AND ABOUT

Delano gives you a sneak preview of the Natur Musée, which reopens on 26 June. 28

14 top-notch performances, plus fun stuff for teens.

CONFLICTING IMAGES

A captured moment from European Month of Photography.

AGENDA

The latest community, culture and networking events icon_website www.delano.lu/agenda

Kavitha Ramachandran talks about AIFMD and Indian music, as part of the “Clocking off!” series.

AUNTIE ELEANOR

Delano’s advice columnist answers reader questions on roadworks, parking meters and Kate’s outfit.

WANT MORE? Sign up for Delano’s “10 things to do this week” and “10 things to read this week” email newsletters. Go to the bottom of our home page.

June 2017

Maison Moderne > Valentina Quaranta > Pexels

FINDING SOLUTIONS

UPFRONT

CURRENT AFFAIRS

THE GRAND DUCHY OF CYCLING Is there any more of a typical Luxembourg sight than a bright-Lycra clad cyclist pedalling one of the country’s pristine back-roads on their top-of-the-range racing bike? Why is cycling Luxembourg’s national sport?

June 2017

here is no question that cycling is the number one sport in this country,” said Didier Lauer, owner of the shop Bike World in Walferdange. But the figures suggest otherwise. A January 2017 survey by TNS Ilres suggests that football is the most closely followed international game, with 44% of sports fans watching and reading about football. Cycling came third with 12%, just behind motorsport with 14%. However, these are percentages for all residents, and one would imagine the figures are higher for Luxembourg nationals. And mere numbers miss the big picture.

That Bob Jungels of Rollingen once again claimed the leader’s jersey on 9 May in the Tour of Italy will probably be the sporting highlight of the year for most. Gilles Muller might have reached his highest ever rank in pro tennis (23rd) this year, and Luxembourg City’s Vincent Thill is an exciting young footballer making waves abroad. But nothing really gets the country going like its cyclists.

ROUDE LÉIW, HUEL SE! “You see the red lion flag at the side of road on all the major European road races, with many Luxembourgers making the pilgrimage to support

Didier Lauer is seen in a portait by Patrick Galbats

THE JOURNAL

TESTING THE BOUNDARIES The first non-Frenchman to win the race was Luxembourger François Faber, who took the title in 1909. He was later to die in the Great War in 1915 after having volunteered for the French Foreign Legion. One can only speculate about the impact of this on Luxembourg’s national psyche. The context is of a country which had only been independent and free of foreign troops for scarcely four decades when Faber arrived in Paris in first place. Mamer-born Nicolas Frantz completed the remarkable feat of backto-back wins in 1927 and 1928; seven years later the first Tour de Luxembourg was held. Perhaps the most significant win for national feeling, though, was Charly Gaul’s victory in 1958. Only 13 years after liberation, he won in a race that had become a firm highlight of the global sporting calendar. Andy Schleck being placed in the top three from 2009-2011, along with his brother Fränk in 2011, renewed the magic for a new generation. Those unacquainted with road race cycling might wonder how this apparently gentle pastime could even

be a sport, let alone a national icon. Googling the video of “Fränk Schleck 2008 crash” shows the reality. Almost alone, with only a plastic helmet for protection, the pride of Luxembourg hit a crash barrier at 90km/h, and he was thrown down a steep mountainside. Small, wiry and resilient, Fränk only had a few bruises and carried on racing. Is there any more of a typical Luxembourg sight?

88 NUMBERS

of serious or fatal accidents where speeding is presumed to be the main cause.

Reported by STEPHEN EVANS

FACILITATING SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIPS On 27 June, IMS Luxembourg will host a Speed Meeting Part&Act. The event, now in its fifth edition, facilitates the exchange of expertise, goods or services between local companies and NGOs.

hile at first glance it might appear as though only NGOs are benefiting from the Speed Meeting exchanges, well-crafted partnerships can, in fact, help contribute to a company’s bottom line. “Companies sometimes think about sustainable development as something nice because of the environment and social aspects, but they forget about the economic aspect as one of the three pillars of sustainability,” says Paula Marques of IMS Luxembourg. In fact, accompanying companies in their commitment to corporate social responsibility is at the heart of IMS Luxembourg, the non-profit, independent network of over 100 companies in Luxembourg. “Ideally, we promote projects so companies can think about their CSR strategy, but we are conscious that a lot of companies only organise one team-building [activity] per year,” Marques says. “We accompany corporate members, no matter their maturity level of CSR.”

In Luxembourg, this translates into all levels of CSR policy and activities at the corporate level. There are re latively few companies that have an actual CSR department or diversity officer--Marques estimates this is the case for around 15-20% of the companies she’s seen--but often the CSR contact might be someone in, say, HR or marketing who is devoting a portion of his or her workload toward developing the company’s CSR strategy. Both Marques and Camille Gaudin, a project manager who works closely on Part&Act (short for Partners in Action for Sustainability), acknowledge the importance of embedding CSR at various levels and among many stakeholders. “We are working on

June 2017

Participants in a recent Part&Act event are seen in a picture provided by IMS Luxembourg All "Numbers" taken from official police statistics

riders in the grand tours and the classic races,” said Lauer. He sees this spirit reflected in the growing appetite for taking part, both in clubs and individually. When you combine the exhilaration of well-maintained empty roads through rolling green hills and the chance to splash a few thousand on a posh bike, you have a winning formula for many. Not least when you add the feeling of participating in a national culture. But how can the act of cycling be a manifestation of patriotism? Just as the iconic Tour de France is said to have helped anchor the notion of modern France, the sport and this race probably performed a similar function in this country. It is often said that the Tour de France is a celebration of that country. First run in 1903, it helped define the physical limits of the country in the popular imagination. This was at a time when war often resulted in national borders being redrawn.

CURRENT AFFAIRS

THE JOURNAL

a corporate platform, and it’s important that companies develop many actions that mobilise employees, not only at the top.” This mobilisation can take on many forms. As Gaudin points out, “we aren’t making promotions for financial donations”. Logistic donations are also welcome; some companies help provide computers, chairs and in some cases even loaning cars at no charge to the associations. Contributions can also be in the form of employees offering hands-on help, such as painting a room or building a house, or offering their own expertise or skills. There are plenty of solutions that can be tailor-made for the company or the association, which is why the exchanges have been successful. Here’s how a typical IMS Luxembourg speed meeting works: a company sets up at a table, and various NGOs make the rounds from table to table. Employees of both the company and NGO have several minutes to introduce themselves and exchange information about what they are seeking; when the gong is sounded, it’s time for the next exchange. Once the companies agree upon an exchange, they sign a partnership agreement, which the parties and IMS Luxembourg can later follow up on. As Gaudin points out: “Normally these companies and associations don’t have an opportunity to meet, so this is a good way for them to do so.”

CONTINUED

FRENCH ELECTION RESULTS All eyes were on France during an election results screening event held at the Rotondes in Bonnevoie on Sunday 7 May. Emmanuel Macron will be the next French president, having won 66% of the vote. One attendee, Roland, said that: “I was certain Le Pen would not win, especially since the TV debate. I think many people did not want to express themselves because they wanted neither Macron nor Le Pen.” Pierre said: “The most important is that Le Pen did not win. Le Pen wants to close the borders and wants to leave the European Union: that is not the direction that France should go.” Elena stated: “I am satisfied because it is a vote against the extreme right, and what was important was that all the French, whatever their political allegiance, voted against them.” MH

POLITICS DRAWS CROWDS A. Pierre: “I think Le Pen’s score is a big number and it’s growing, which is worrying.” B. Roland: “I don’t expect Le Pen to be the candidate for the FN at the next presidential elections.” C. Elena: “It worries me that the FN is now the biggest opposition force in France.” D. At 8 p.m. on Sunday 7 May, the results of the second round of the French presidential elections were announced during an event at the Rotondes E. People waited in anticipation F. & G. Attendees cheered when the results came in icon_website www.delano.lu/snapshots

icon_website www.imslux.lu

Reported by NATALIE GERHARDSTEIN

22 NUMBERS

the decrease in the number of serious traffic accidents between 2015 and 2016.

June 2017

35 NUMBERS

SPEAKERS CORNER

THE EURO AND THE ROME DECLARATION

of people killed in road accidents in 2016 did not wear a seat belt.

European leaders were hardly enthusiastic, and much integration still needs to be done, on the 60th anniversary of the Rome treaties that led to today’s EU, writes Carlo Klein, who teaches at the Athénée de Luxembourg and Miami University in Differdange.

he recently published “Rome Declaration”, issued by the European Council in March after a discreetly celebrated anniversary of the 1957 Rome Treaty, shows limited optimism about Europe’s future. This is not very surprising as the European idea has been facing hard times since 2015 when the European Commission’s “Five Presidents’ Report” pleaded for a deeper integration among member states of the euro area. But Brexit, the refugee crisis and the rise of populism explain why, two years later, a new publication, the European Commission’s “White Paper on the Future of Europe”, presents different scenarios and takes a much more modest, but probably more realistic stance. As economic theory clearly suggests a need for deeper integration among the euro area’s member states, only the white paper’s last scenario, “Doing much more together”, seems to take this fact seriously into account. The other four scenarios mention “improving the functioning of the euro area... limited cooperation in the euro area... several steps are taken to consolidate the euro area and ensure its stability”, statements that are not

very reassuring about the area’s future. What might then be the EU’s future in general? Heading for a deeper integration seems to be highly improbable, as is a scaling back to a simple customs union. So, a realistic approach has to cope with the fact that the EU is probably heading toward a “those who want more do more” scenario, which means at least a two-speed union! But what does this mean for the euro’s future? The euro area should move closer to an optimum currency area, meaning that labour and capital mobility must improve and the problem of a supranational fiscal policy has to be solved. The banking union and the capital markets union should improve capital mobility within the euro area, but a consensus about a needed common fiscal policy is still missing, despite the existence of the European Stability Mechanism since 2012. Finally, labour mobility clearly remains a problem in Europe! No wonder that, every six weeks, Mario Draghi, the head of the Euro pean Central Bank, insists on the fact that structural policies are needed to complement monetary policy in the euro area.

WELCOME TO THE HOUSE OF FUN Hariko started life as a temporary Red Cross art project for young people. 18 months since its inception, Marianne Donven describes its journey.

ucked between the railway track and swimming pool in Luxembourg City’s Bonnevoie district is a former factory that would not be out of place in Berlin. Through the glass front, you can see colourful walls, a mish-mash of old furniture and young people chatting and chilling. The entire building has come to be known as Hariko though it houses a lot more than the Red Cross youth art project. Hariko (named after the French word for bean, with a twist) is run by Marianne Donven, who previously worked in the foreign affairs ministry as head of humanitarian aid. June 2017

THE JOURNAL

“We opened in September 2015 as an art project giving access to art and creativity for young people aged 12 to 26,” she says. “We opened at the same time many refugees arrived, so it turned into a little bit of an integration project from the start.” This shift in focus enabled Hariko to extend its life by securing additional funding until September 2018 from the Oeuvre Nationale de Secours Grande-Duchesse Charlotte. While the number of young refugees using its services has since fallen (largely because they have found other groups and activities) and today they account for one in five members, Hariko’s main focus remains unchanged. The project provides rent-free space to around 30 artists and musicians, in exchange for which tenants offer free workshops to young people from Wednesdays to Saturdays, between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. During the past 18 months, Hariko has hosted workshops on anything from yoga, theatre and dance to carpentry and graffiti art. Over the summer of 2017 they will open a Hariko beach where they will host a public music festival and members will perform a play devised by themselves at Tramsschapp in June. “Having discussions with so many creative people, there are always lots of incredible new ideas and that’s what’s keeping this house really busy and it keeps everyone motivated,” says Donven. The lively building has also become an important hub for other projects, offering a classroom for language teaching and meeting place for community events. It also houses not-forprofits Digital Inclusion, upcycling computers, Passerelle, offering legal advice to migrants and, most recently, Cohabit’Age, an inter-generational housing project. “The house is used by many people. From now on we will count how many people go in and out every day, for if we ever have to show how useful this building is. I think it’s almost become a house of integration.” Another motivation behind the count is the uncertain future of the building as it is rumoured it will be sold imminently. Donven is already researching June 2017

“ CONTINUED

Having discussions with so many creative people, there are always lots of incredible new ideas and that’s what’s keeping this house really busy and it keeps everyone motivated.”

potential models that would enable Hariko to continue its work elsewhere. In the event it is sold, she hopes the new owner would allow the project to remain until the owners obtain planning permission. “There are many question marks but I think we have the potential to maybe continue in a different way,” Donven says. “There will be a way. I cannot imagine Hariko will disappear.” icon_website www.hariko.lu

Reported by JESS BAULDRY

NET MIGRATION SLOWING The proportion of migrants leaving Luxembourg appears to be growing while those arriving is slowing. According to Statec, 22,888 people arrived in the country in 2016, down 3.8% on the year before. Last year 13,442 people left, equivalent to 6.3% more than in 2015. Migratory fluctuations boosted the net population by 9,446, the lowest growth seen in years. Report author François Peltier speculated that the phenomenon could be linked to a decline in asylum applications. But he also pointed out that migratory rates were returning to levels seen before the 2008 economic crisis. He told Delano that with the European economy stabilising, immigrants may be returning to their native countries or be less inclined to leave them. Nevertheless, Luxembourg continues to have strong demographic growth. The population reached 590,667 on 1 January 2017 and is expected to hit the 1 million mark between 2061 and 2062.

59 NUMBERS

of serious and fatal accidents happened on country roads.

Pexels

CURRENT AFFAIRS

Marianne Donven is seen in a picture taken by Mike Zenari

CURRENT AFFAIRS

THE JOURNAL

CONTINUED

Erasmus+, the EU’s educational exchange programme, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Meet two recent participants.

n 2015, Erasmus+ enabled 678,000 Europeans to study, train, work and volunteer abroad. The programme was created to reinforce the European dimension by encouraging transnational cooperation between universities and the European mobility of students (as depicted in the cult 2002 film The Spanish Apartment). Olga Alessandro, a third-year economics student at the University of Luxembourg, spent three months earlier this year at the University of Brno in the Czech Republic. She summarised her experience by saying: “I was really surprised because I really enjoyed everything: the university, the organisation, the lectures, the people, the university student residence. I was in a shared room, and I was very sceptical initially to live with another person, but it turned out to be great!” Cynthia Chu Koye Ho, a third-year law student on the Ile de la Réunion, managed to get her six-month stay in the grand duchy extended to a year, because she likes it so much: “The Ile de la Réunion is the same size as Luxembourg, but in the middle of the sea, so it was becoming a bit claustrophobic. I wanted to see other landscapes, other countries. I also wanted to become more independent from my parents.” Both women were positive about the differences in teaching methods. For Cynthia, the teaching at university here is more interactive; “they ask more from the students, like study the handouts, ask questions, be curious. In Réunion, it’s the same system as in France, so you just sit there and listen.” For Olga, the main difference was the preparation for the weekly seminars: “The compulsory assignments June 2017

all counted for the final grade. I liked that--it helps you to learn constantly because you know you have to produce work that is graded as well.” However, an Erasmus year is never just about university; it’s also, and probably mostly, about learning a new culture, often a new language, and especially about meeting fellow like-minded students from all over the world. Cynthia observed that “they use Luxembourgish as we use the dialect (créole), and I thought: ‘oh that’s nice!’ We use créole inside the family, with friends or sometimes with the administration, but we use it less at school, because they have to teach us in French.” Olga praised Brno: “The city was great! I was expecting a poor and industrial city in the East. But it is cute and there were nice places to hang out--I was surprised.”

Exploring the region is also part of it. Both students travelled extensively during their Erasmus+ experience. Olga reflected on the programme: “It’s very important, it shows the common identity, that there are no borders, that Europe is one country actually.” Cynthia agrees: “You can discover other things and maybe even more about yourself. Before I came here, I was more shy to talk to people and now it’s better: I can talk to anyone!” icon_website www.erasmusprogramme.com

Reported by MARTINE HUBERTY

GO EAST, YOUNG BELGIANS The German-speaking community of Belgium has decided to change its name for marketing purposes to attract skilled labour from the neighbouring regions.

he cabinet of the region’s minister-president, Olivier Paasch, has said that “this new brand aims to give the region a more attractive, efficient and sustainable image.” The region is located about 150km north of Luxembourg City, at the crossroads of the Ardennes and the Eifel, and comprises the towns of Eupen, Malmédy and Sankt Vith, and has a population of 75,000.

The previous name, “Deutschsprachige Gemeinschaft”, and its abbreviation DG, was not seen as necessarily invoking that specific eastern part of Belgium. Some have joked that DG was more associated with Dolce&Gabbana (or with “Direction générale”, for the politics nerds amongst you). Furthermore, many other names and brands were used in the various regional development schemes. For these reasons, DG is about to disappear from all communication and will be replaced by “Ostbelgien”. Paasch said this was necessary: “The birth rates are relatively low and the ageing of the population

Cynthia Chu Koye Ho is seen in a portrait by Maison Moderne

2017’S “AUBERGE ESPAGNOLE” STUDENTS

icon_website www.eastbelgium.com

Reported by MARTINE HUBERTY

WHO’S WHO

PAUL PHILIPP

“There is no place for professional football here. We don’t have a stadium worth the name, we don’t have the players nor the money.” Born 21 October 1950 in Dommeldange Career highlights 1974-1976 Standard de Liège player 1968-1982 member of the national football team 1985-2001 coach of national football team Since 2004 president of the Luxembourg Football Federation icon_website www.flf.lu

Illustration: Maison Moderne

means that our workforce is too small to replace the workers who will retire soon. We need to attract more immigration, mostly from the neighbouring regions. Furthermore, investments and attracting businesses are important for our future.” He added that a targeted marketing strategy would have a similar positive effect to those carried out in South Tyrol, for example. Furthermore, this new communication strategy would reinforce the identification of its people to the community. Belgium’s political system divides the country into three geographic regions--Flanders, Wallonia and the Brussels Capital Region--and into three different language communities: French, Flemish and German. Ostbelgien’s coalition government is composed of the ProDG, PFF and SP parties. Karl-Heinz Lambertz, a SP (socialist) senator, said in an interview with RTL Belgium that the new name was only for marketing purposes and there would not be a change to the constitution. ProDG is one of the more autonomist parties and compared sometimes to the populist N-VA in Flanders. Paasch said: “I am a convinced Belgian. I am not advocating independence”, but his plan is for Ostbelgien to be equal to the other regions--that is, to get more autonomy in several policy areas. However, he also affirmed that the name DG would stay in the constitution. The “French community” changed its name to “Fédération WallonieBruxelles” a few years ago, the Walloon region now calls itself Wallonie, and these days the “Région de BruxellesCapitale” is known as Brussels. So far, it seems that the tourism industry has been most active in making the brand its own. The official tourism website has already adopted the name. Economic and cultural players were called upon to make the brand name their own and incorporate it in their own marketing strategies.

Paul Philipp is an institution in Luxembourg football, first appearing on the pitch some 40 years ago. Starting his football career at the Avenir Beggen, Philipp spent the best years of his playing career as a midfielder in Belgium with R. Union Saint-Gilloise, R. Standard de Liège and R. Charleroi SC. He stopped playing in 1985 after winning a second national title with Avenir Beggen. Philipp scored 4 goals in 54 international appearances from 1968-82. When he hung up his boots, he started coaching the national team. Luxembourg managed to win three games in the Euro ’96 qualifiers--two against Malta and a celebrated 1-0 success against the Czech Republic. He was elected president of the Luxembourg Football Federation (FLF) for the first time in 2004 and has been re-elected 3 times since. His current tenure lasts until 2018. He has made it a priority of supporting young players: “Our main focus will have to be on youth development; it is there where we have to set priorities for the future.” In 2015, Luxembourg’s football clubs trained over 17,000 young people. Furthermore, the number of licenced players has gone up by 10,000 in 10 years. Philipp is also a regular football commentator of international games for RTL, along with Nico Kieffer. The grand duchy’s national championships for men and women take place between August 2016 and May 2017. The national cup final is on 28 May for both the men’s and women’s leagues. June 2017

CURRENT AFFAIRS

EUROPE

Text by ALIX RASSEL

Photography by PATRICK GALBATS

ON THE MOVE FOR EUROPE In these times of Euroscepticism, one group is taking a stand in favour of the European Union.

ew local residents would dispute the fact that we are living in a time of great change, with a dramatic increase of radicalisation in political life in several countries around the world. After the Brexit referendum and the election of Donald Trump, Daniel Roeder, a lawyer, and his wife, Sabine, decided to organise a small rally in their home town of Frankfurt against nationalism and populism. They also wanted to promote the success the European project has achieved over the last 60 years. The project was called “Pulse of Europe”. What started as a rally of 200 people has now become a European movement promoting, above all else, the peace that has been achieved in our continent. Delano spoke with Jonathan Ponchon, who is responsible for starting the organisation’s Luxembourg chapter. “Above all, Pulse of Europe wants to change the public disclosure about Europe,” said Ponchon. “We want to send out positive pro-European energy and protect the European project, values and its influences.” Pulse of Europe is not a political movement and has no allegiance to any rhetoric. Its belief is that the future of Europe is threatened if member states violate fundamental European values, such as freedom of the press, protection of minorities, freedom of science and the rule of law.

MUCH WORK TO BE DONE “We hope that the election of Trump and Brexit was a wake-up call for continental Europe,” he said. So far, the favourable outcome in the elections in the Netherlands and France seems to have bucked this nationalistic June 2017

“ EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WAY WE SPEAK OUT ABOUT EUROPE.” JONATHAN PONCHON The local organiser of the pro-EU advocacy group Pulse of Europe is pictured at Luxembourg’s central train station

trend, but Ponchon is keen to highlight that it is not enough to “glorify” the recent past. “Reforms must be done in Europe, and we demand that European politicians focus on the European project as a whole, not just about national and electoral preoccupations.” Whilst the crucial French presidential election may be over, the German elections are still due to take place later this year. Nationalists may not be as strong in Germany as in other countries, but Angela Merkel has faced some stark criticism over her handling of the refugee crisis. “We will continue to organise gatherings every first Sunday of the month at place Clairefontaine,” stated Ponchon. “The next meetings will be on 4 June and 2 July, and

everyone is welcome to join. We also keep people updated on our Facebook page and the Pulse of Europe website, which is available in several languages.” “Supporting the campaign is easy,” he said. “You can come to a public gathering at place Clairefontaine, you can volunteer to help, organise your own gathering or just simply spread the message to friends, colleagues and family.” “Everyone is responsible for the way we speak out about Europe,” added Ponchon. “We live in times in which we can no longer be neutral or quiet about populism and nationalist movements.” icon_mail Luxembourg@pulseofeurope.eu icon_facebook Pulse of Europe – Luxembourg icon_website www.pulseofeurope.eu

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CURRENT AFFAIRS

FAMILY

Text by NATALIE GERHARDSTEIN

Photography by PATRICK GALBATS

ALTERNATIVE PATHS TO PARENTHOOD From infertility to limitations for same-sex couples, starting a family isn’t always so simple. Here’s how some Luxembourg couples are handling their unique set of challenges.

n March 2017, Desiree Alegre and Bruno Gerber celebrated the birth of their healthy newborn. Their 2-year-old daughter also celebrated becoming a big sister. And, although the girls are two years apart, they come from the same harvest of eggs, thanks to in vitro fertilisation. Bruno recalls the day in 2014 when he transported those eggs--two of which would become his two daughters--in a case from Clinique Bohler, where his wife had just undergone an operation, to the Centre Hospitalier. “I remember them handing me a little case with the eggs, which even had a charger to hook into the car’s cigarette lighter for its own energy supply.” Upon arrival at the Centre Hospitalier, he delivered the eggs and “deposited fresh goods”, as he puts it, so both the eggs and sperm were ready for lab work (in this case for ICSI, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, a procedure in which sperm is injected into an egg.) Then he went back to Bohler to pick up Desiree, still a bit groggy from the operation. ICSI is a procedure frequently used when the fertility problem stems from the male’s side, normally due to low sperm count or poor mobility, as in Bruno’s case. According to the UK Human Fertilisation & Embryo logy Authority, ICSI success rates are no longer given separately from those of overall IVF rates since outcomes are similar: given that Desiree was 32 at the time of the first implantation, this translates to a success rate of 32.2% (for women under age 35, using 2010 statistics).

June 2017

This rate decreases to 27.7% for women aged 35-37, then declines more sharply to 13.6% and 5% for women in the 40-42 and 43-44 age groups, respectively. “Luckily, Luxembourg [health insurance] would have covered up to four tries at the entire process,” Desiree says. “That’s quite generous, especially when you consider that in places like Spain or the US you could pay tens of thousands out of pocket.”

HOW IVF WORKS Nevertheless, the process itself can be taxing. Desiree and Bruno, who have been together over 10 years, had tried for a few years to conceive naturally before they were tested; early on they were told they would probably have to undergo IVF. Already through testing in Switzerland, Bruno’s home country and where the couple lived before moving to Luxembourg, “we knew the problem

was biologically with me,” he says. They knew that moving would be too stressful, so they held off starting the process until they arrived in Luxembourg in 2012. “Once we were in Luxembourg, they wanted to test everything again. In order for it to be covered, we had to have tried everything else first,” Desiree adds. “We went through four rounds of intrauterine insemination before we could move on to IVF.” Desiree explains that the first step was talking to a local OB/GYN who referred them for a consultation, which they had at the IVF centre at Bohler. Then on the first day of her cycle, she called the centre so the egg stimulation process could begin. “Basically, I took some injections every day for about 15 days, and every second day I had bloodwork done and an ultrasound to check on the eggs. They check how many eggs you’re producing, their measurements, and so on.”

“YOU SHOULD BE IN A CALM, POSITIVE STATE AND FEEL AT HOME. STRESS ISN’T GOOD WHEN YOU’RE TRYING TO CONCEIVE.” DESIREE ALEGRE

There’s no guarantee for the stimulation to work, but in Desiree’s case, the first try was a success. Once the eggs were considered ideal for fertilisation, Desiree underwent the operation for the eggs--nine in total--to be harvested, after which time the lab work could begin. Of the nine eggs, six were successfully fertilised, four of which were considered embryos with good potential. Desiree was called in for the implantation process two days later (this waiting period varies per country). The couple requested using only one embryo at the time--to reduce their chance of having twins--but the first implantation didn’t take. For the next cycle, they asked for two embryos to be implanted to increase their odds. The result? The healthy birth of their baby girl, now aged 2. When the couple decided to have another child, they only had one embryo left. “We didn’t think it would work and realised we might have to go through the whole thing all over again, but we were lucky. It worked,” Desiree says. Their second daughter was born in 2017. “It’s kind of funny to think about the fact that our daughters come from the same batch, but that they’re so different and were born two years apart,” Desiree says. The couple hopes that sharing their story will help remove the taboo associated with the topic. “In general, it should be more openly discussed, especially since lots of expats don’t have their family or friends around,” Desiree says, adding: “Language can also be a problem for some, since most of the information material is provided in French and German.” So what advice would the couple give to others considering IVF? Bruno says, “Try not to do too much research, and find doctors here you can trust so you can discuss your case.” And given that preimplantation diagnostics and processes can differ greatly from country to country, even within the EU, Desiree adds, “Learn and follow the way they do things here. You should be in a calm, positive state and feel at home, in every sense

of the word. Stress isn’t good when you’re trying to conceive.”

FINDING THE RIGHT DONOR Deborah Lehnen and Sandrine Mayer have been together about six years and married little more than a year, but they both say they knew early on they wanted to have a family together. “I found in Sandrine my other better half, so it was pretty easy for me to imagine having a child,” Deborah, 27, says. “In the beginning this was just a dream. I never thought we’d get there so fast and easily.” In 2015, the couple began noticing that most of their friends were becoming parents. “There was literally a baby boom happening around us,”

Deborah recalls. “Although we didn’t feel the urgency to have a child, the will to have one someday was there.” Nevertheless, the couple began chatting with those friends and met a pair of “super mommies” who had used a sperm donor to conceive. Sandrine and Deborah had dinner at the couple’s home and heard more about the details--including the name of a Danish sperm bank, Cryos International. Cryos International prides itself on being the world’s largest sperm bank, supplying to more than 70 countries, and first in assisted reproductive technologies. Anyone can search through the nearly 1,000 potential donors, which include

THE GERBERALEGRE FAMILY Desiree Alegre and Bruno Gerber’s daughters were born two years apart, both through in vitro fertilisation. “It’s kind of funny to think about the fact that our daughters come from the same batch [of eggs] but that they’re so different,” Desiree says.

June 2017

CURRENT AFFAIRS

THE MAYERLEHNEN FAMILY Deborah Lehnen (left) and Sandrine Mayer with their son, Louis. About her son, Sandrine says, “Each day brings its new bundle of joy. Nothing else matters.”

June 2017

FAMILY

CONTINUED

all races and ethnicities. Donor profiles can be with or without a photo and include either a basic or extended bio, with information about the donor’s health and family tree, education level, hair and eye colour, face shape, even his favourite colour. “We spent days and days on the website,” Deborah recalls. “[We went] through every single profile… most of the donors are anonymous, and this is what was most important to us. We didn’t want to have any third person intruding in our lives, or our child’s life.” The couple always thought Sandrine would carry their first child, Deborah the second, but years passed and Sandrine, now 40, didn’t want to carry the baby (although she says she got more satisfaction supporting Deborah anyway). “On a symbolic side, we chose a donor that was healthy, creative and shared the same physical characteristics as me,” Sandrine says. Once the couple ordered the donation, the sperm was delivered to a clinic in Luxembourg and stored in a freezer until timing was right in terms of ovulation. “We didn’t

have to go through IVF [surgery], just did an insemination,” Sandrine explains. The couple says it was all quite easy. “The most difficult part was the wait,” Deborah says. It took three attempts--in July, August and October 2015--before Deborah was pregnant. “Each insemination was followed by two never-ending weeks of wait… [but] we were positive all the way. We had nothing to lose.” On 30 June 2016, little “King” Louis--as Deborah and Sandrine (mama and maman, respectively) affectionately call him--was born. Both adore him, although the experience is slightly different for each mother. Sandrine explains, “Of course, I was a bit saddened by the fact that Louis and I wouldn’t share the same genes, but after long consideration I’ve come to realise that we share so much more through education, play and lots of love.” Both mothers are relieved that no one tried influencing their decision on a donor and that their doctor was supportive. “We were really encouraged, and I think this should be the same for all couples that decide to

have a child. We are blessed to live in such an open-minded country,” Sandrine says. For them, being mothers to Louis has brought so much joy. Sandrine says she’s so proud to be Louis’ mum that they’re already considering baby number two (although Deborah admits she would love to have three). And the most magical part about parenting? For Deborah, it’s “waking up every morning and knowing Louis is there, ready to rock another one of our days.”

ADOPTING IN LUXEMBOURG For some couples, adoption is a last resort after they have tried everything they can to start a family without success. “The decision to adopt is a deeply personal [one], and the adoption process can be demanding for prospective parents,” says Claudine Koster, who heads the adoption service at the Luxembourg Red Cross. According to the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth, 22 adoptions were completed in 2016, and a further 42 formal adoption requests were submitted. The process to adopt can begin with a request to one of the accredited adoption bodies (AABs)--in Luxembourg this includes the Red Cross, Amicale Internationale d’Aide à l’Enfance and Naledi. (The Maison de l’Adoption also exists as an approved consultation service, managed by the Red Cross.) For Luxembourg nationals, only married couples can currently adopt. However, for non-nationals, the AAB looks at adoption requests on a caseby-case basis. Both adopters must be over 21 (and one must be over age 25). Koster explains that in the standard adoption process, prospective parents go through compulsory preparation sessions that focus on general information and adoption awareness, which “covers specific challenges linked with that particular way of [parenting].” They then receive a certificate with which they can approach the AABs. Although they

TOTAL FINALISED ADOPTIONS IN LUXEMBOURG (2015-2016) 2015 = 25 adoptions 2016 = 22 adoptions

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Source: Ministry of Education, Children and Youth 2016 activity report, published Feb. 2017; *Not signed or ratified the 29 May 1993 Hague Adoption Convention

can initially register at all three AABs, once they start the evaluation process they should only be working with one. The process of determining the suitability of potential adopters is detailed--it involves a study of the family home, a psychological report, medical examination and legal advice. Prospective parents are required to honestly assess various considerations, such as whether they would be willing to accept a child with a physical or mental impairment, and to what degree they would be willing to deal with a certain illness or disease. They are encouraged to seek medical advice when necessary. The AAB helps prospective parents organise paperwork and arrange the judicial details, which can vary greatly from country to country. It’s important to note, for example, the distinction between countries that have signed (and ratified) the 1993 Hague Adoption Convention on inter-country adoption and those that haven’t. To date, 96 countries, including Luxembourg, have signed the convention. Most origin countries--meaning where the child is from--prefer that adoptions be made within their own country whenever possible. But there are countries where there are additional adoption needs. It’s for this reason that steps were made in Luxembourg in 2016 for new collaboration with Slovakia, and agreements were finalised in 2014 with Burkina Faso and Vietnam. Koster explains that in Luxembourg, international adoptions can be for children anywhere from age 1 through to older children, although in her experience it tends to be more difficult for prospective parents to accept the idea of adopting an older child. And, as she notes, a lot can change throughout the course of the waiting period--jobs or family situations, for example--with some couples even deciding to stop the process altogether. Once there is a matching proposal, a meeting is set up. “We talk about the child and explain his or her

background, so the prospective parents can also discuss with their family or doctor before making their decision,” Koster explains. “But at this point we don’t show a photograph of the child, that only happens later,” after prospective parents have expressed their desire to accept. Additional paperwork and legal proceedings and, depending on the country, one or multiple journeys are then required before the adoption is finalised. Even after that, there are still follow-up assessments. “It takes trust and time for a child,” says Koster. “It’s a major change and challenge for the entire newlyformed family… but we try to support the process whenever we can.”

“THE ADOPTION PROCESS CAN BE DEMANDING FOR PROSPECTIVE PARENTS.” CLAUDINE KOSTER

June 2017

CURRENT AFFAIRS

CULTURE

Text by MIRIAM SCARGALL

Photography by LALA LA PHOTO

A MORNING AT THE MUSEUM The National Museum of Natural History (Natur Musée) in Luxembourg City reopens its doors to the public on 26 June. Delano took a tour, one morning in May, as the museum put the final touches on its new digs.

he main displays have been closed since 2015 whilst the museum embarked on a five-million-euro project to renovate the historic building and update the permanent exhibition spaces. The first traces of the museum building date back to 1308, with reconstruction carried out during the seventeenth century. In its time the building, along rue Münster in the Grund, has housed a hospital and a women’s prison, before the Natur Musée moved there in 1996. The museum itself was founded in 1854 and the collections have been growing ever since. Exhibitions and events are just the tip of the iceberg. The institution is also an active scientific research centre with a host of specialists on the staff. They conduct research on all aspects of natural heritage and contribute to its conservation. One of the most important tasks carried out by the museum is to inventory the natural heritage of the grand duchy. In the new exhibitions, there are more items on show than ever before. These unique and beautiful objects are combined with a smart new gallery design. The curators wanted each object on display to “speak” to the visitor, and with over a million items in the collection to choose from there is certainly plenty to say.

FEW GLASS BARRIERS The galleries, redesigned by Atelier Für Gestaltung, feel spacious and modern. Throughout the museum there is very little glass between the June 2017

visitor and the objects, and bold colours are used. Neither fit our idea of what a traditional natural history museum might be, with big dusty cases constructed of wood and glass. Gallery text is boldly printed on the wall in French and German. English and Luxembourgish translations are available via a free phone app. Delano’s visit started at the beginning of life on Earth. The interaction of life with geology and geology with life is explored, emphasising the geology of the grand duchy. This plays to the strengths of the geological, mineral and fossil collections of the museum. The evolution displays highlight the staggering amounts of time between the dawn of life and the present. Around 3.8 billion years ago the earliest forms of life appeared on Earth, whilst humans have only been around for about 200,000 years. It is an impressive reminder of our place in the grand scheme of things. The story of evolution presented in the

gallery continues with examples of how species have evolved using natural selection to develop, adapt and improve their chances of survival. Marketing and communications manager Patrick Michaely explained that visitors to the “old” museum wanted to know more about Luxembourg. Now they can see environments and animals which might be very familiar to them, from the woodland dormouse to the city sparrow. The skeleton of the oldest Luxembourger will be displayed in his own space. Loschbour Mann was discovered in 1935 and is around 7,500 years old. Whilst you’re in the museum you can take a selfie with him, or rather with a reconstruction of what this prehistoric resident of Luxembourg might have looked like. A beautiful display of stuffed animals in the Biodiversity Gallery includes things you just wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to get up close to. A fearsome lion welcomes

NATUR MUSÉE A. The biggest dandelion in Luxembourg? A giant model of the flower is seen being installed in the entrance of the National Museum of Natural History in Luxembourg City. It reopens to the public on 26 June after nearly two years of renovations. The museum gave Delano a sneak peak of its new exhibits on 4 May.

you with a snarl, and at the other end is a flock of colourful toucans. The room highlights how important the variety of life on Earth is to the health of ecosystems and ultimately the planet. In the Biodiversity Gallery, a touchscreen table contains a tool developed by the museum in collaboration with Harvard University. It demonstrates how you and every other living organism are related to every other plant and animal in the world and shows how much you have in common. The final room covers astronomy and is accompanied by a display of meteorites, present in the beginning of life and very possibly at its end. Here the story is brought up to date and projected into the future via space exploration and asteroid mining. You can explore a giant projection of the solar system or pilot a voyage through the stars. Based on the idea that we are all “made of dust”, at the end of your visit you are invited to imagine yourself as a piece of cosmic dust being propelled across the galaxy and launch yourself down the slide back to the beginning of life. The redesign of the Natur Musée has been worth the wait. What has emerged from behind closed doors is a fun and mind expanding reminder of our place in the unfolding explosion of life on Earth. icon_website www.mnhn.lu

B. Mounted birds in flight and fossilised dinosaur eggs waiting to be placed in their final positions in the Evolution Room. C. and D. The museum’s marketing and communications manager, Patrick Michaely, gives Delano’s Miriam Scargall an advanced tour of the new galleries. E. There are beautifully preserved specimens of all kinds of creatures. Here we can see some that might prefer a colder environment: penguins and wolves, together with a tantalising glimpse of a snow leopard. F. This deer was donated to the museum by Grand Duke Jean. G. The final room is dedicated to astronomy. Amongst other themes, it deals with the idea that we are all made of stardust. You can turn yourself into travelling stardust and whizz down the slide back to the beginnings of the universe in the gallery downstairs. H. Some of the fantastic variety of animals on show in the Biodiversity Gallery. The dynamic design presents the collections beautifully. I. The new temporary exhibition is a must for cat lovers and features plenty of our feline friends, big and small, walking the catwalk.

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CURRENT AFFAIRS

LOCAL POLITICS

Text by MARTINE HUBERTY

Photography by MAISON MODERNE

GETTING PEOPLE TO VOTE The government has launched a bottom-up initiative to convince foreign residents to register to vote.

ichael Engbork says: “Local politics decide what is the cost of your crèche, or the cost of your utilities, and what services are provided in your community. I find it very important to have influence on these things in your local community.” Engbork is a Danish citizen who has lived in Luxembourg for 20 years, and recently completed the training provided by Cefis, the Centre d’Étude et de Formation Interculturelles et Sociales. The training of so-called “multipliers” involves giving people the arguments to convince foreign residents to register to vote in the upcoming local elections on 8 October. These people then put these arguments to their friends, colleagues and acquaintances--thus “multiplying” their civic participation. With foreign residents making up almost 48% of the population, local elections are the only way for these people to have a say in what happens in the country. Anyone over 18 who has lived in Luxembourg for the past five years can vote--if they register at their local authority by 13 July. However, statistics show that in the 2011 local elections, only 17% of foreign residents voted. The government has therefore decided to go grass roots and opened up the multiplier training to any individual who is interested in furthering integration and political participation. It was a resounding success: over 210 people volunteered to participate in this civic project. Staffan Vowles, a Swedish-British citizen who has lived here for 12 years, explained the training: “There was general information about how elections work and what municipalities do. June 2017

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LOCAL POLITICS

CONTINUED

MICHAEL ENGBORK A. “In Luxembourg, people are very close to their politicians” STAFFAN VOWLES B. “If I can help convince people to vote, that is good in general”

We spent a lot of time thinking about arguments against registering to vote. The most common argument is that it’s mandatory to vote in Luxembourg and therefore it’s better not to register, because then you don’t risk being fined if you decide not to vote.” Engbork adds: “There are a lot of urban legends. I heard several times that the police will come to your door and take you to the police station! So sometimes all I have to do is explain that it’s not like that.” Vowles also said that some don’t quite understand how it works: “They say they won’t be able to vote in their own local elections, which isn’t relevant at all, because when you leave you can’t vote in local elections in your home country anyway.”

CONVINCING ARGUMENTS Engbork said that he always hears from foreigners that “we don’t want to vote, it doesn’t make any difference.” Some people are not even aware they can vote. However, “when they figure out that their bin taxes, or the price of water, or whether there is a tennis club, is all decided by the commune, they find out that it is perhaps a good idea to listen to what the local politicians are saying, and that they can vote for those that can bring them what they need.” June 2017

Vowles listed the arguments in favour of voting: “The most obvious reason to vote is the democratic right. Provided that you enjoy living in a democratic system, you should use that right as well. It’s a possibility to change things, perhaps particularly in small municipalities where one vote bears more weight than in a larger context. I also think it’s a good way to make you feel part of the community in Luxembourg. We’re living here and it’s part of the integration process: you don’t feel as an outsider and ‘that Luxembourgers do this and that, and we’re not asked’-well, you are asked, and you should use that right as well.” Luxembourg’s local politics are small-scale. Vowles explains how he sees it: “Local elections tend to be more person-centred than national elections. A lot of voters know personally someone standing for office, which changes the dynamics a bit.” Engbork gives his impressions: “It’s very easy to get influence in politics compared to other countries. I also tell them that 10, 15 votes can make a difference in local elections.”

PUTTING THE MESSAGE OUT THERE Vowles’ strategy is to convince colleagues at the European Parliament,

where he works. He also spent a few hours at the Migration Festival handing out leaflets, and sent emails to his Swedish and Estonian contacts. Engbork is involved in the committee for foreigners in Mersch, and is also a CSV candidate for the local elections there, and thus has a party structure behind him to help him in the mission to get into contact with foreign residents. However, he still keeps in touch with the Danish associations, and has been asked to speak several times on the topic. He reckons he has convinced at least 20 people so far. Thomas Fellerich, a history teacher at Lycée Classique de Diekirch, also completed the course, because he wants to “explain to our foreign students that they will be able to vote as well. Politics is important, because we see in other countries that not everyone voted and the results may not be to one’s liking. Local elections are important because communes do things for everyone and not just for Luxembourgers.” Corinne Cahen, minister for integration, joked at a diploma ceremony in May that she expected every multiplier to convince 200 people to vote--which would make over 42,000 people. icon_website www.jepeuxvoter.lu

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June 2017

IN FOCUS

Photography by PATRICK GALBATS

CONFLICTING IMAGES CASINO LUXEMBOURG, 28 APRIL, 6:22 P.M. Two patrons attend the opening night of the Looking for the clouds--contemporary photography in times of conflict exhibition, staged as part of the European Month of Photography 2017. Here we see Hans-Peter Feldmann’s 9/11 installation featuring the front pages of 151 newspapers on 12 September 2001. “The fact that the woman on the right is pointing at a front page above her head reminded me of the title of the exhibition,” says Delano’s photographer, Patrick Galbats. The show runs through 11 June. AG icon_website www.casino-luxembourg.lu June 2017

UPFRONT

BUSINESS BIG BUT SMALL

The actor Stanley Tucci called it a lovely hotel and Christine Lagarde, head of the IMF, said she’d come back. “We’re very proud of those kinds of comments,” stated Franck Leloup, general manager of the Hotel Le Place d’Armes. They have 28 guest rooms, but a big part of the business are the three restaurants, which contribute 70% to the revenue. Altogether the hotel employs around 80 year-round, and about 100 during the summer, when its terraces are packed. “Every day is different” in the hospitality industry, since the work touches disciplines from food service to finance, he said. One of the first things Jessica Cogoni, the hotel’s marketing manager, told Delano is that she came from Paris for a six-week project. That was one and a half years ago. “You get attached” to the “beautiful house” and “big but small” team, she said. AG

ROOM SERVICE A. Franck Leloup speaks with Delano on 3 May B. The hotel orders around €250,000 in fish and seafood a year, says Mathieu Morvan C. Elvida irons a tablecloth in La Cristallerie, the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant D. Jessica Cogoni E. François-Gilles Gonzales says the hotel sells 7,000 room nights, hosting about 10,000 guests, per year F. Pascale Vidal readies a room for a guest who is expected to arrive in 30 minutes A

44% The proportion of workers in Luxembourg who are cross-border commuters as of 31 March 2016. A further 27.6% are Luxembourgers while 28.4% are resident foreigners.

June 2017

icon_website www.delano.lu/business

-97% Money channelled into and out of so-called letter box companies in Luxembourg fell from $962bn to $29bn between 2015 and 2016, marking a 97% decline, according to an OECD report.

14,767 The number of job applications submitted to the Luxembourg state in 2016. Applicants can now also apply for civil service jobs and exams through the site GovJobs.

ROSA VILLALOBOS The local businesswoman wants to educate consumers CATCHING UP WITH…

Cargolux

TICKER

Cargolux, Europe’s biggest allfreight airline, posted profits of $5.5m in 2016, down from $43.9m the year before, but still up from $2.8m in 2014. Separately, it signed a capacity sharing deal with Emirates, the world’s 2nd largest freight carrier and 4th biggest passenger airline. > Five countries, one of them Luxembourg, sit on 90% of the cash injected by the European Central Bank to boost the euro zone economy, Reuters reported. > The next round of “indexation” (automatic inflation-linked rises in salaries and pension payments) is expected to take place during the 2nd or 3rd quarter of next year, Statec said. > The consulting firm PwC and law office of Arendt & Medernach won contracts to advise Luxembourg’s finance ministry on Brexit negotiations. > Deutsche Bank Luxembourg posted net profits of €1.067bn for 2016, up from €289m in 2015. The jump was due to its sale of shares in Hua Xia Bank for €741m. > Cargo traffic at Findel field was 286,000 tonnes during the first four months of the year, an increase of 16.4% compared to the same period in 2016. > The European Investment Bank will occupy 14,000 square meters of RTL Group’s new HQ in Kirchberg; some 500 staff are expected to take occupancy next year. > ArcelorMittal posted net income of $1bn for the 1st quarter of the year, a rise from $403m in the 4th quarter and a loss of $416m in the first quarter of 2016. > SES said its SES-10 satellite was “fully operational”; it was the first satellite to be launched with a reusable rocket.

about child labour and the impact of fast fashion.

Rosa Villalobos has it all--a successful career as country head for Macquarie, she was the first woman to become a certified director with the ILA and serves on several boards. But something was missing from her life, she tells Delano. “I wanted to do something more for my passion.” While on a long car journey in early 2016 she read about Toms shoes’ “one for one” scheme. She learned more about the environmental impact of the fashion industry and knew she had to act. Already a big fan of fashion and having become interested in education as board member of the ISL, the Barcelona native decided to combine the two interests. She created Impassion, a sustainable clothing chain that stands again child labour, which launched in spring 2017. “I give 30 to 40% of the proceeds to an NGO that has a specific programme to fight child labour. Clear labelling on the clothing shows what the money is spent on, for example a school bag, shoes or field trip so that when people buy something, they see the value,” she explains. Villalobos began with a basic range of T-shirts and polo shirts, which are Fair Wear Foundation certified, onto which are printed exclusive designs from a Luxembourg artist. The price tag is higher than high street prices, but Villalobos believes people will pay more, “because they have bought something that has meaning and will help someone… It’s about making people feel part of the solution.” Thusfar the project has been well received in pop-up stores and online. Villalobos hopes to expand the range to include skirts, shirts and dresses. And she is committed to the cause--she is on the child labour working group of the UN’s international labour organisation and plans to visit India this year to see the impact proceeds from Impashion are having. Long-term, she hopes to make more sophisticated garments and rent them under a circular economy service model. “The idea is to buy better but if you want to change, don’t buy, rent it... For me, it’s the way forward,” she says. icon_website www.impashion.com

Text by JESS BAULDRY Photo by LALA LA PHOTO June 2017

BUSINESS

MEDIA

Text by AARON GRUNWALD

Photography by ANTHONY DEHEZ

BROADCAST NEWS

he move into new premises is a “pivotal moment” for RTL Luxembourg, said its former CEO Alain Berwick. He launched construction of the media firm’s new HQ back in 2008. He stepped down from the CEO role at the end of last year, but will remain with the company to see the move through until he officially retires in August. “The budget and timeline were respected,” he pointed out in an interview with Paperjam prior to the inauguration ceremony. Around 600 employees will work in the new 22,000 square metre site in Kirchberg, which is located just a few steps away from the pair of buildings the broadcaster previously occupied (both of which will be torn down this autumn). It cost around €20m to kit out RTL Luxembourg’s TV and radio facilities, and another €20m for Broadcasting Center Europe, also part of RTL Group. The building itself costs €85m. icon_facebook RTL Lëtzebuerg

RTL CITY A. Xavier Bettel, the prime minister and communications minister, delivers a video message during the official inauguration on 19 April B. Simone Beissel of the Luxembourg City Council, Viviane Reding, MEP, and Colette Mart, also of the Luxembourg City Council C., D., E. and K. RTL City, the broadcaster’s new HQ in Kirchberg, seen on its official inauguration day F. Marie Gales of RTL

June 2017

G. Mars Di Bartolomeo, speaker of parliament H. Francine Closener, secretary of state for the economy I. The view from the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s upper floor, facing south J. The main TV studio L. One of the radio studios M. Vincent Bechet (on left) is among those taking a tour of RTL TVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s news studio N. Claude Wiseler, leader of the opposition in parliament (on right) O. MP Laurent Mosar P. Patrick Gillen of the development agency Fonds Kirchberg

June 2017

BUSINESS

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Text by ISABELLA EASTWOOD

Photography by MIKE ZENARI

VENTURE CAPITAL VISOR What do VCs really look for and how can you truly capture their interest?

ith the aim of cultivating a more varied business hub, Luxembourg inaugurated the House of Entrepreneurship in October 2016 and implemented the “111 company” law in January 2017. But the country as a breeding ground for entrepreneurship and startups has got mixed reviews. According to Mark Tluszcz of Mangrove Capital Partners, larger cities such as London and Paris are often more attractive to young entrepreneurs. “Luxembourg can’t always compete with the environment and atmosphere some of the larger metropoles offer. It’s generally a good place for business, just not necessarily for startups,” he states. “We don’t celebrate successful entrepreneurs either, especially not from diverse backgrounds. The top players here are mostly limited to the spheres of banking, real estate and law. In order to enrich the national pot, entrepreneurship needs to be taught and praised.” Other disadvantages include limited access to resources in terms of recruitment. While Luxembourg’s long-standing strength lies in finance, it is in the nation’s interest to encourage other fields of potential growth. “It can be hard to find talented and specialised software and IT developers. However, Luxembourg does provide a unique space to bring actors together out of the Greater Region,” remarks Martin Guérin, CEO of the startup incubator Nyuko. However, there are already some aspects of the grand duchy that make it uniquely qualified as a ground to plant your roots. According to Guérin, the size and geographical location of Luxembourg have made it ripe June 2017

with momentum: “The country is highly adaptable and intent on supporting small businesses. Licenses are procured faster and easier than in larger regions, which is definitely a plus.” Diego De Biasio of Technoport, a technology-oriented business incubator, has also noticed an increase of applications coming from Luxembourg. “Almost 50% of our applications stem from the grand duchy, while the numbers from the Greater Region have dropped to roughly 10%. The other 40% are from other countries, which shows how Luxembourg is becoming more international,” De Biasio observes. In addition to this, the multicultural heritage of the social landscape continues to provide an advantage. “The benefit of living in Luxembourg is that when you go about establishing a business, your starting point already has a degree of European appeal. You start with a much broader base of Luxembourgish, French, Belgian, German and British partners. At this point your target audience is already a lot more international than that of a business growing out of a niche locality,” explains Yannick Oswald, also at Mangrove. Multinational teams of this calibre are what stir the interest of venture capitalists in particular, says Alain Rodermann of Expon Capital. So what exactly is it that makes an

individual and their idea attractive to a venture capitalist? Venture capitalism works on a global scale and aims for international growth and return. This model is accompanied by a variety of benefits, as well as constraints. “You will have the chance to make a fortune, however the pressure to succeed in a short amount of time is high. From the second a venture capitalist strikes a deal, his eye is on the exit. That’s how the system works,” explains Rodermann. “A deal will provide a motivational framework, government and management. This provides guidance, but restricts autonomy and shares profits. It’s an entirely different way of doing business.” In this business, keeping an eye on the bigger picture is vital. “We see up to 2,000 [potential] deals a year and make up to five or six investments,” says Tluszcz. Similarly, Rodermann notes that in the first year of Expon Capital, they only made one deal after reviewing 1,700 pitches. The message? If you go in, go bold. “You need to ask yourself: is my idea ambitious enough? Does it have a global appeal? Because this is what you need,” states Tluszcz. “Your idea needs to have a material impact on people’s lives,” furthers Oswald. “You need to have an understanding of the current state of affairs and find what’s lacking in the global framework. When an idea

ALAIN RODERMANN Out of the first 1,700 pitches, his VC firm only made one investment

“ FROM THE SECOND A VENTURE CAPITALIST STRIKES A DEAL, HIS EYE IS ON THE EXIT.”

June 2017

BUSINESS

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

CONTINUED

DIEGO DE BIASIO The business model can be more important than the technology

“ ALMOST 50% OF OUR APPLICATIONS STEM FROM THE GRAND DUCHY.” June 2017

is the solution to a social problem, the company has a larger incentive to grow. It becomes successful because the story behind it is compelling.” Ideas need to be innovative and different, and more importantly, they need to have an impact. While it’s not always obvious to know what exactly qualifies as innovative, or exceedingly bold, it helps to approach the concept of innovation creatively. “Sometimes it’s the business model that is breaking new ground, with the technical details following suit,” points out De Biasio. Due to the low selection rate, business proposals have to be mature,

motivated, skilled and highly prepared. And it is not only the idea that is quantified and measured for quality: the individuals behind the idea are as fundamental to success as the idea itself. The notion of a strong team carries from the initiation to the running of a business. “Criteria one is team, criteria two is team, and criteria three is team,” insists Rodermann. “Of course it’s good to have a dream, but are you capable of making this dream a reality? The cemetery is full of great ideas. It’s 50% idea, 50% team, one will not thrive without the other,” declares Tluszcz. “Even if you don’t start off diverse, you should work towards it. The more diverse your group, the more energetic the creative exchange.” Accordingly, philosophy and work ethic bent on diversity and ambition are equally important, forging a positive dynamic that needs to persist from the inception to the management of the firm. Maintaining equality and balance within a team is another step towards progress. A supportive network and strong relationships make the process of creation a lot easier, and acknow ledging your co-workers’ input helps foster loyalty, integrity and sincerity. “Reward your colleagues, make sure they have high stakes in the company. If employers and employees are happy, the whole ecosystem of the company is healthier,” relates Oswald. “When employees participate in capital gains of a company, when they share in the growth and success of investments, that’s when a startup prospers,” says Tluszcz. Finally, the practical matters. Will the product, or idea, work in real life? Will the market accept the novelty; is there an audience for it? The vision of the entrepreneur has to be far reaching and encompassing. Nicolas Milerioux of Enovos Luxembourg, an energy outfit which invests in new firms, puts the theory into context: “We look for a relationship, not just someone out to get funding.” Companies like Enovos require someone who looks towards transforming an idea into a service. A number of

Launch and grow your startup in Luxembourg We can help you set up your business and develop your footprint in the industry. www.deloitte.com/lu/boost

ÂŠ 2017 Deloitte Tax & Consulting

BUSINESS

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

CONTINUED

YANNICK OSWALD Out of necessity, most Luxembourgbased startups begin with international appeal

“ YOUR IDEA NEEDS TO HAVE A MATERIAL IMPACT ON PEOPLE’S LIVES.”

questions follow from this: “How do you identify and tackle a problem? Do you have a clear target? How do you address specific audience segments?” In order to answer these questions, entrepreneurs need to educate themselves on the status quo, not only of their nation, but also beyond borders. Sometimes entrepreneurs knock on every single door possible in order to find someone to fund them, however it’s important to find a partner that fits their specific ideas and image as well as their financial needs. “If you apply to Enovos, it’s with the goal to complement whatever might be lacking along our value chain. We fund on the basis of future collaboration,” explains Milerioux. June 2017

Guérin describes this in more detail: “Does your venture capitalist invest in other areas or startups that you can work with? What type of image does he project?” In other words, having a good knowledge of the different investors, business incubators and companies is also a must. When it comes to funding, venture capitalists confirm that profit is the lens through which an agreement is perceived. The different components of idea, team, practice and audience all count towards making a proposal attractive in the sense that it can be commercially valuable. Therefore it might be worth building on other aspects of your business first. Guérin underlines the importance of working

with your ecosystem: “Your environment should promote opportunity, not force constraint. Don’t fight against the market and the clock, because you are more likely to make mistakes. Establish a relationship towards your potential customer base early on and try not to rely too heavily on capital from the onset. Sustainability needs to be your impetus from day one, even if this means slower growth.” Working with your local network, approaching incubators and connecting with other people in the business are steps towards gaining perspective. Communication allows you to place your vision within a greater framework. “You shouldn’t be afraid of sharing your ideas and talking to other entrepreneurs. Sometimes your concept isn’t the problem, but the implementation of it. A strong network of people is crucial,” adds De Biasio, who thinks that the timing has never been better for entrepreneurs. “Just remember that you will engage in a rollercoaster of experiences with highs and lows. It’s all part of the process.”

TOP TIPS The 4 main criteria venture capitalists expect are: idea, team, practice and audience. When you go for a presentation, make sure all four of these points are well crafted and thought out. Presentation matters: VCs decide within 5-10 minutes whether they will make a deal or not. You need to present with confidence and convey your words with clarity. Practice your pitch alone, practice in front of an audience, incorporate feedback, and then practice again. Accept that while failure is nearly inevitable, it is not the end. Failure means you need to push yourself, adapt to market and social needs, accept change, and by no means give up. Communicate and exchange ideas, approach VCs and listen to their advice. Nobody starts off perfect.

Bachelor & Master Degree in International Hospitality and Tourism Management since 1990 www.bbi-edu.eu information registration info@bbi-edu.eu Campus Wiltz - Luxembourg + 352 27 91 12 92 Campus Brussels - Belgium + 32 2 779 88 96

State accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research of Luxembourg Double Degree Programme with Euroaula, Spain and Savonia, Finland

www.ubi.edu BE PREPARED FOR A CHANGING WORLD

• BA (HONS) BUSINESS STUDIES 3-YEAR BACHELOR DEGREE

• The opportunity to study Business in Luxembourg. • Small classes taught in English by business professionals. • Strong academic course of study plus practical training. • Yearly in-company internships.

UNITED BUSINESS • International environment. INSTITUTES - LUXEMBOURG Château de Wiltz • A perfect preparation for a Masters abroad. Logo L-9516BSI Wiltz - EXECUTIVE Luxembourg DOCTORATE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Programme officially accredited by the Luxembourg Ministry Présentiel: partenariat avec iaelyon, université Jean Moulin & Université•Technologique de Sydney, accréditée AACSB. Tel. 00 352en 27 99 01 82

Higher Education and Research; and validated by Middlesex A Distance (en français) : en partenariat avec iaelyon, université Jean Moulin &ofUniversité Technologique de Sydney accréditée A University London. Digital DBA (en anglais) en partenariat avec SKEMA Business School, accrédité AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA & iaelyon, université Jean M • Students will be awarded a dual degree from both Middlesex www.business-science-institute.com University London and UBI - Luxembourg. info@.............................

010617_Delano_UBI_88,33Hx 210L_Q.indd 1

16/05/17 15:01

Executive Doctorate in Business Administration

Présentiel

en partenariat avec IAE Lyon, Université Jean Moulin & Université Technologique de Sydney, accréditée AACSB

A Distance (en français)

en partenariat avec IAE Lyon, Université Jean Moulin & Université Technologique de Sydney accréditée AACSB

Digital DBA (en anglais)

en partenariat avec SKEMA Business School, accréditée AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA & IAE Lyon, Université Jean Moulin

www.business-science-institute.com

info@business-science-institute.com

BUSINESS

PORTRAIT

Interview by MARTINE HUBERTY

BRINGING LUXEMBOURG ONLINE

June 2017

open. You see it in the streets of Luxembourg City--it is quite a cool city today. We opened up very much, especially with the fact that we had these large tech and fintech companies coming here. They brought a lot of international people with lots of talent and good vibes. That said, there is a disruption between Luxembourgers in the city and other Luxembourgers, which are not aware of what is really happening in the industry and in the economy, and that is quite a big challenge. Do you feel there is a real national identity? Luxembourgish identity is evolving; and evolution always takes time. The technology and financial industry is spearheading the new identity, but there are challenges of grouping everyone around it. The slogan “Let’s make it happen” is in English. If you want to promote Luxembourg, you can’t do it with “Mir wëlle bleiwe wat mir sinn”--nobody understands what you’re saying! It makes sense--but a lot of people say: “Again, something in English!” This is a very sensitive topic. Identity is not fixed; it evolves over time and we are moving in the right direction. But there is a lot of explaining to do, which maybe is not done enough today. In 2017, what will you do to ensure that that slogan--“Let’s make it happen”--will happen? I will always try to combine my passions with interesting projects and promoting Luxembourg. Today I am not entrepreneurial in the sense that I create companies, but I have projects which are extremely interesting. I am in a situation where I can learn and evolve in these projects but also serve the greater good which is Luxembourg as an ecosystem, Europe as an ecosystem, if you talk about Infrachain. What’s your favourite Luxembourgish word? Zesummen.

QUICK BIO Marco Houwen was set to take over the family farm in Ernster, but decided not to and started a career as a salesperson in insurance. A seminar with Anthony Robbins in Brussels in 1997 made him realise that he wanted to become a successful business man. He founded Datacenter Luxembourg together with Xavier Buck in 2000. Currently he is founder of LuxCloud, board member of EuroDNS and chairman of Lu-Cix. Houwen is also project lead for the Infrachain Foundation. icon_twitter @infrachain CELEBRATING LUXEMBOURG In 2017 Maison Moderne and Nvision celebrate Luxembourg by profiling 100 people who contribute positively to the country’s international reputation and brand image. The series will culminate in a gala evening on 13 December at Luxembourg Congrès. icon_info w ww.maison moderne.com/en

Marco Houwen

me. I understood that life is not black and white, but lots of different shades of grey. The second date was a personal development seminar with Anthony Robbins in 1997. I became aware of the potential we all have in ourselves. The third one would be when I stood at the bank counter and created my first company--having all that money in my pocket. If someone said that you were #CELEBRATING a shining ambassador for LUXEMBOURG Luxembourg, how would you take that? I would take it very positively, because that is how I see myself [laughs]. We created Datacentre Born in Luxembourg, Marco Luxembourg in 2000 around the idea Houwen grew up on a farm of bringing new e-commerce busiin Ernster. Today he is chair nesses to Luxembourg. We were man of Lu-Cix, an internet extremely naïve. Our internet infrainfrastructure development structure was a total catastrophe, and organisation. Houwen is one everything still had to be done. When of a number of personalities to the company was created, we had be featured in the “Celebrating no choice but to promote Luxembourg externally, and internally to try to fix Luxembourg” series. things as well as we could. Being the Martine Huberty: Could you sum chairman of Lu-Cix is exactly that--I up in a few sentences what you do am heavily promoting the ecosystem as much as I can. for a living? Marco Houwen: For the past 18 years, When you talk about Luxembourg I have been an entrepreneur in the to non-Luxembourgers, what do internet field. I have created several they say? companies over the last few years, It really depends. Some say: “You namely DCL-Group, EuroDNS, can’t talk about any problems in the Lu-Cix, and LuxCloud. Several world because you’re too rich, everymonths ago, I decided to act as an thing works fine for you.” You have independent advisor in technology. to try and make them understand that Currently I am working on several there could still be positive outcomes projects, the most visible of which is for them. In business, people say: “You Infrachain, a public-private initiative are Luxembourgish, so it’s normal trying to set up and position Luxem- that you say that Luxembourg is great.” bourg as a leading hub of blockchain As I am a passionate person, people technology in Europe and the world. often say that it’s normal that you have If you could highlight three major a passion for your own country. dates in your life, what would they How has Luxembourg society evolved during the last 20 years? be? I walked near the Galloway islands Which one--the 20% or the 80%? I when I was 18 and I saw the beauty think, on the whole, Luxembourg of grey, which was an epiphany for society has changed a lot: it is way more

BUSINESS

FUNDS

Text by STEPHEN EVANS

MEASURING SUSTAINABILITY Over €41trn is invested globally in regulated open-ended funds. If more of this went toward environmentally and socially sustainable products this could make a huge difference. But how to measure and thus market sustainability?

ALFI

t’s fair to say international financial companies have a mixed reputation. Thus providing opportunities for environmentally and socially responsible investment would help to motivate new investors, particularly idealistic youth, as well as inspiring traditional clients. Even for those clients driven by hard financial returns, there is increasing acceptance that climate change is increasing risks for investors, particularly over the long-term. However, it is hard enough to define ethical behaviour, let alone measure it. A panel at the recent Alfi Impact Investing Conference reviewed some of the options, but as many questions were raised as were answered. Commercially available measurements are better than nothing, but there are few easy, complete answers.

Ronald van Genderen, manager research analyst with Morningstar. Jean-Florent Helfre, head of business development with S&P Trucost, said his firm analyses companies’ financial and production data to extrapolate an estimate of their environmental impact. Even for straight reporting of companies’ carbon data reporting, he said investors could be confident that 80% of firms report this accurately.

office at the European Investment Bank recognises the challenges, and also said that so far they have taken a case-by-case approach when assessing the stance of new and existing investment projects. “We are working with other multilateral investors, sharing some impact reporting, but it is hard to see that there can be a single overall portfolio indicator,” she said. They are also working on social impact metrics, but if environmental and climate related factors are hard to develop, issues such as gender equality are harder still.

“ENGAGEMENT” Whilst welcoming efforts such as these, Huub van der Riet, lead portfolio manager impact investing with NN Investment Partners, said there is no substitute for making their own investigations. “You have to engage and this is “ WE ARE WORKING WITH very important to gain a better feel OTHER MULTILATERAL for the environmental, social and INVESTORS, SHARING governance stance of a business,” he SOME IMPACT REPORTING, stated at the Association of the LuxBUT IT IS HARD TO SEE embourg Fund Industry conference. THAT THERE CAN BE A Again, “engagement” is difficult to SINGLE OVERALL standardise and measure. PORTFOLIO INDICATOR.” Nancy Saich, senior technical NANCY SAICH AT THE EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK adviser environment, climate & social

SMALL BUT GROWING Assets under management in Europe grew 385% between 2013 and 2015, to €98bn, according to the market study published in November 2016 by Eurosif, an EU trade group. icon_website www.eurosif.org

RONALD VAN GENDEREN The Morningstar analyst speaks at the Alfi Impact Investing Conference, held in Kirchberg, on 26 April

CLIMATE CHANGE It is increasingly understood that climate change is adding to risk for corporates but also for countries. Hence the financial information company Morningstar has developed an augmented sovereign risk rating. To traditional metrics such as economic performance, public debt and deficit, 20% of the score is influenced by climate, energy and natural resources considerations. “We found that introducing this element can reduce the long-term credit worthiness of high income countries by as much as 3%, while low and medium income countries can receive a 7% boost,” explained June 2017

BUSINESS

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Text by CHARLOTTE WIRTH

Photography by PATRICK GALBATS

“ HELPING SMES GET READY FOR THE FUTURE” The cabinet has approved new support schemes for small and medium-sized enterprises, adding to a number of existing financial grants. The secretary of state for the economy explains the government’s aims.

rancine Closener says: “We have space mining, we have Rifkin... but we also need to help traditional businesses move with the times.” The secretary of state for the economy is speaking about a new draft bill, greenlighted by the cabinet in late April, that would provide for a budget of €89m over the next five years to support small and mediumsized enterprises--an increase of 27% compared to the 2012-2016 period. New measures are put into place to encourage the development, reorganisation and creation of businesses in the craft, commercial, industrial and horeca sectors. “We are exploring all possibilities, EU regulations permitting,” states Closener. Newish enterprises, those less than six years old, can apply for government support grants up to €400,000. To be considered, SMEs need a promising business plan, Closener tells Delano. The scheme is meant to fill the funding gap; SMEs often do not have access to traditional sources of capital, she says. Therefore, the government can now act as second guarantor and assume liability of up to 80% of a loss. “This should encourage the mutual insurance schemes of the chambers of commerce and trades to support more businesses.” Other measures include the coverage of losses due to natural disasters and the assistance with European territorial cooperation, the so-called Interreg scheme. In terms of enterprise development, digitalisation is a keyword: support June 2017

is already provided under established government programmes such as Fit 4 Digital and Fit 4 Innovation, both run by Luxinnovation (see page 54), and the costs for hiring advisory firms can be partly reimbursed, in a plan administered by the economy ministry. “Conservative businesses, especially, often don’t think about digitisation, but it can save them so much money,” says Closener.

CHANGING TRENDS Another goal for the LSAP secretary of state is diversification. Enterprises are encouraged to keep pace with changing trends. “If you’re a carpenter and built-in closets are high in demand, we give the financial incentive for you to adapt. Our aim is not to help companies getting bigger and bigger: we want to help them optimise their production.” Essentially Closener wants to boost SME competitiveness, and seed the establishment of new sectors, stating that it is important that Luxembourg’s dependency on the financial sector decreases. Under the new law, administrative procedures are simplified: all requests for funding, regardless of the type of company or sector, will be handled by her ministry’s General Directorate

for SMEs and Entrepreneurship. Applications are then reviewed by a commission made up of representatives of the Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Trades, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Economy. “We will reassign our staff to make sure the applications are treated in time,” states Closener. She says that there are no set criteria: every request is evaluated indivi dually. The commission can also decide on the type of support, such as funding advances, direct subsidies or interest rate subsidies. A combination of different types of aid is also possible. The government plans a roadshow to explain the new procedures to SMEs, but the dates were not finalised at press time.

“ CONSERVATIVE BUSINESSES, ESPECIALLY, OFTEN DON’T THINK ABOUT DIGITISATION, BUT IT CAN SAVE THEM SO MUCH MONEY.”

LEARN MORE GENERAL DIRECTORATE FOR SMES AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP Information on the support schemes icon_mail info.pme@eco.etat.lu icon_phone 247-74700 HOUSE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP Business permit applications icon_phone 42 39 39-330 icon_info www.houseofentrepreneurship.lu

QUICK FACTS There are currently 32,000 small and medium sized enterprises in Luxembourg, employing a total of 210,000 people, and representing 99% of the national economy. The government counts firms with fewer than 250 staff and less than €50m in capital as an SME.

FRANCINE CLOSENER The secretary of state for the economy is promoting a raft of new financial support schemes for small and medium sized firms

EXPRESS BIO FRANCINE CLOSENER Studied journalism and communications at Université Libre de Bruxelles. Political journalist for RTL Radio Lëtzebuerg; served as the station’s editor-in-chief between 2008 and 2010. Started reporting for RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg in 2010. Secretary of state for the economy, defence and internal security since 2013. icon_twitter @FClosener June 2017

BUSINESS

STARTUPS

Text by AARON GRUNWALD

TEN STARTUPS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT From artificial intelligence to wearables, these outfits caught our eye.

Media

AIVA

PIERRE BARREAU

Title: CEO. Originally from: France. In Luxembourg since: 2015. What: Aiva uses artificial intelligence to quickly compose “emotional soundtrack music for movies, TV shows, games and commercials”. Company founded in: October 2016. Inspiration for starting the firm: “Everyone at Aiva is a musician and we all share a passion for music and cinema. Personally, my father is a music and film producer, and my mother was a singer, so I’ve always been very close to the music industry.” Employees: 8, including 4 full-time. June 2017

Funding: €150,000 (2 grants from Luxinnovation). Customers: 3 paying customers-“An Oscar-winning director, the government of Luxembourg and a famous American tech company”. Proudest accomplishment so far: Hearing “our biggest client to date telling us that the music delivered was much better than what he initially expected”. One year from now, what he hopes to report: “Composing the full original soundtrack of a high-budget feature film, video game or TV show.”

IN HIS OWN WORDS “Aiva is the artificial intelligence composing the music of the future.” icon_website www.aiva.ai

Aiva Black Swan Lux Foobot

n page 34, you read about how to make a good impression when seeking funding from venture capitalists. And on page 56, you’ll read about some intriguing fintech work here in Luxembourg. But, while researching this edition, Delano just couldn’t get our fill of cool startups. So here are ten that we’ve been hearing about, and we think that you should hear about them too. Completely by chance, and not by design, of the ten entrepreneurs who partici pated in our interviews, five are from France, three are from eastern Europe and two are from Belgium. Nine are men. Also by chance, half are B2B and half are consumer-facing firms. The companies are presented here in alphabetical order.

Cleantech

BS INNOCLEAN SIMON TRITZ

Health

BLACK SWAN LUX ALEXANDRU-ADRIAN TANTAR Title: Vice president, research and development. Originally from: Romania. What: Black Swan Lux uses artificial intelligence to detect, in real time, anomalies in behaviour. Its first product, SafeLive, monitors seniors and signals potential problems to caretakers. What inspired the company’s name: Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s book, The Black Swan. Company founded in: November 2015, spun out of the University of Luxembourg. Employees: 4. Funding: Grant from the National Research Fund (FNR); private investors. Customers: Nursing homes and home care providers. Proudest accomplishment so far: Being named “Healthcare Startup of the Year 2016” at the Luxembourg Healthcare Summit. One year from now, what he hopes to report: “SafeLive supported the IN HIS OWN WORDS life of many and made “Black Swan Lux a difference. SafeLive builds innovative personal safety AI covered 5% of the on wearables that European target market.” learns your behaviour

and automatically detects when you are in distress.” icon_facebook SafeLive

Title: Founder & general manager. Originally from: Cross-border commuter from France. What: BS Innoclean offers environmentally-friendly cleaning and surface preparation systems using atmospheric plasma, cryogenic and laser technologies. Company founded in: October 2014. Why set up shop here: In the industrial sector, it is easier to export to Germany, and to France, when an innovative technology is shipped from Luxembourg, says Tritz. Employees: 3; hopes to hire 4 more this year. Funding: Self-funded. Customers: Around 150 clients, including ArcelorMittal, AGC and Porsche. Proudest accomplishment so far: “To have developed and built our own machines.” One year from now, what he hopes to report: “Our sales network has become global.”

Personal technology

FOOBOT

JACQUES TOUILLON

IN HIS OWN WORDS “I would like to democratise these technologies and make them accessible for even the smallest enterprise.” icon_facebook BS-Innoclean

Title: CEO. Originally from: Lyon, France. What: Foobot monitors your indoor environment and controls ventilation and purification systems to produce “organic air” inside. Company founded in: 2013. Inspiration to start the firm: “My youngest kid was diagnosed with baby asthma and that’s how I realised we had no control [over] our indoor environment.” Employees: 18, including 13 in Luxembourg. Funding: €2.2m. Users: 100,000 at the end of April. Proudest accomplishment so far: Developing both the hardware and software was “like creating two startups at the same time. So, my team is the best achievement.” IN HIS OWN One year from now, what he hopes WORDS “It’s a 24/7 guardian to report: “We will have created the standard angel tracking for our indoor environment quality and the air pollution sources quality you’ll breathe will be as important for you around you.” icon_twitter @myfoobot as the food you eat.” June 2017

BUSINESS

STARTUPS

CONTINUED

Personal technology

KEYMITT VLAD GHERCIU

Title: Co-founder. Originally from: Moldova. Living in Luxembourg since: 2011 (when he started working at Amazon). What: A smartphone app that opens doors. Access to friends, contractors and guests can be given via email. Homeowners can specify the time and duration of access. Company founded in: April 2017. Inspiration for starting the company: “I was running a B&B business [here in Luxembourg] and I found it extremely hard to deal with guest check-in and key handover. Certainly there had to be a better way to handle this.” Employees: 6 (all co-founders). Funding: Self-funded. Proudest accomplishment so far: “We have our first generation prototype.” One year from now, what he hopes to report: “That we have over-achieved on our roadmap targets.”

6 June 2017

IN HIS OWN WORDS “We want to educate people that having a smart-lock is not at all scary and in fact provides another layer of security and reliability to the home access.” icon_website www.keymitt.com

Personal technology

LARGOWIND MAXIME GUICHARD

Title: Chief operating officer. Originally from: Saint-Étienne, France. What: LargoWind is developing Connected Rope, a device and app which will let boat owners monitor their vessel remotely. Ultimately they want to introduce other nautical technologies for digitally savvy sailors. Company founded in: April 2016. Employees: 1 in Luxembourg, 1 in Austria and 1 in France. Funding: €200,000, including €150,000 via Luxinnovation’s Fit 4 Start programme. Customers: Owners of 6m-20m boats. Proudest accomplishment so far: Getting from the drawing board to having a working prototype “in a couple of months”. IN HIS OWN WORDS One year from now, what he hopes to “Connected Rope is report: “Probably (*fingers crossed*) the like a baby phone… success of the introduction of our product, but for boats!” icon_facebook LargoWind Connected Rope, on the market!”

Health

MITOTECH NATALIA PEREKHVATOVA

Title: CEO. Originally from: Russia. What: Mitotech is developing a compound “designed to reduce oxidative stress inside mitochondria”, which could potentially treat Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other age-related diseases. Company founded in: 2010. Employees: 5 in Luxembourg; around 100 in Moscow. Users: “Our molecule has already been approved in Russia in an eye drop formulation for dry eye syndrome” and clinical studies in the EU and US are in progress. Proudest accomplishment so far: “Bringing awareness of the potential of mitochondria targeted drugs to the biotechnology and pharmaceutical community worldwide.” One year from now, what she hopes to report: “We do hope to successfully finish a Phase 3 clinical study in the US this time next year, which will bring Mitotech’s technology closer to the international IN HER OWN WORDS market.” “We are attempting to

improve the healthspan of ageing patients… one disease at a time.” icon_website www.mitotechpharma.com Keymitt Mitotech Seerus StarWear

Internet

PINGVALUE LUCIANO SCATORCHIA

Title: Founder & CEO. Originally from: Belgium. What: A platform where people can receive personalised recommendations and businesses can run better targeted communications campaigns. Company founded in: January 2014. Employees: 4 in Luxembourg, 10 in Belgium and 25 in Spain. Funding: €5m. Users: “We plan to reach 500,000 users by the end of 2017.” Inspiration for starting the company: “Individuals living in today’s digital era suffer from information overkill: too often we get information that is not interesting to us at moments where we don’t need it.” Proudest accomplishment so far: Won a “Tell us your story with Cisco” contest, which will be featured in a video shown IN HIS OWN at the Cisco Live conference, WORDS “Translating digital in Las Vegas, in June. connectivity into One year from now, relevant interactions what he hopes to report: in the physical world among people, “Being recognised and used products and places as an innovative platform in (‘Pings with value’).” the Benelux and Spain.” icon_twitter @Pingvalue

Internet

SEERUS

QUENTIN LIÉNART DE JEUDE

Title: CEO. Originally from: Belgium. What: Seerus is an online survey platform. Company founded in: June 2013. Inspiration for starting the company: “Curiosity, challenge, and a way to create something big from absolutely nothing.” Employees: 1 in Luxembourg and 3 in Belgium. Funding: €270,000. Customers: Around 60 active clients with “a bit less than a thousand users”. Proudest accomplishment so far: “Without any doubt, the retention of our clients: it seems [like a little thing], but selling is one thing; keeping your IN HIS OWN WORDS clients happy with what you deliver is “Our job is to help another thing.” companies of all One year from now, what he hopes sizes to adopt a customer centric to report: “I will be proud if consultants vision in order to from companies such as Deloitte, PwC and get insight from McKinsey started to select and integrate their customers and ensure healthy our solutions for their clients.” growth.” icon_linked_in Seerus

Personal technology

STARWEAR JONATHAN ARNAULT

Title: Acting chief technology officer. Originally from: Eastern France. What: They are developing the StarWear Ring, “an unobtrusive wearable that allows you to naturally interact with your environment”, using sensors based “patented space technology”. Other devices, such as a wand or racket, could be introduced later. Company founded in: November 2016. Employees: 7 (all partners). Funding: €130,000.

Customers: Currently in talks with an arcade room and entertainment firm on rolling out the ring as a game controller. Proudest accomplishment so far: Winning the €50,000 ActInSpace Luxembourg prize and International People’s Choice Award. One year from now, what he hopes to report: “After winning the Best of Innovation Award at CES 2018, we managed to bring the StarWear Ring to 25,000 happy customers.”

IN HIS OWN WORDS “The StarWear Ring allows you to naturally interact with your smart environment and provides accurate 3D positioning using magnetic sensors.” icon_website www.starwear.io

June 2017

BUSINESS

TOURISM

Text by JESS BAULDRY and MARTINE HUBERTY

Photography by MAISON MODERNE

CELEBRATION ACROSS THE NATION NATIONAL DAY IN FIGURES Luxembourg’s national day celebrations with their street parties and formal celebrations are a ripe opportunity for business to flourish as people hit the town.

GET THE PICTURE FIREWORKS The eve of national day is renowned for its magnificent fireworks display in Luxembourg City. This year, 3.5 tonnes of fireworks will be launched from nine lorries parked on Pont Adolphe. The pyrotechnic display will be accompanied by a live music medley from the Musique Militaire. It will last 16 minutes, 27 seconds. [5]

BEER SALES

BAR BUSINESSES All bars are allowed to serve alcohol until 3 a.m. under a blanket “nuit blanche” decree. The Tube bar, located behind the grand ducal palace, increases its staff by 300% for national day. On that day, 80% of the drinks sold is beer. At Go Ten, just around the corner, staff doubles. Earnings increases correspond to the staff increases. [2]

June 2017

TOURISM Each year national tourist office Luxembourg for Tourism promotes the country abroad by organising a press trip to Luxembourg for around ten international journalists over national day. [6]

TRANSPORT In the capital VDL extends certain bus lines until 3:30 a.m. on 23 June. Meanwhile, CFL will operate two additional night trains on all major lines: one around 1:15 a.m. and the other around 3:15 a.m., in the directions of Troisvierges, Rodange (via Esch and Dippach), Wasserbillig, Dudelange and Kleinbettingen. [3] [4]

[1] Bofferding > [2] Sebastiaan van der Weerden > [3] VDL> [4] CFL> [5] Jo André > [6] Luxembourg for Tourism

From 22-23 June last year, Luxembourg brewery Bofferding sold around 600,000 glasses of beer. It also rented out around 50 stands to its customers around the country. [1]

KINEPO LIS

MOVIE CARD 10

TICKET S 100 DAY S

ONLY 6.95â&#x201A;¬ THE TICKET !

BUSINESS

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Text by ISABELLA EASTWOOD

Photography by MIKE ZENARI

ROAM IF YOU WANT TO We’ve come a long way since the first handheld mobile phone, which weighed 1.1kg. But new EU rules, several years in the making, should consign those shocking post-travel bills to the dustbin.

PERSONAL BUSINESS

t has been a decade since the European Commission set out to gradually reduce and ultimately end roaming charges across the European Union, creating a digital single market. The principal of the roaming rules is to establish a “unified communication space,” states Luis Camara of Tango, a mobile telecoms firm in Luxembourg. “Accordingly, national bundles become for the most part European bundles, as long as you stay within the limits of your subscription.” “Roam-like-at-home” is the name of the latest step, levelling the cost of roaming and national activity in terms of internet use, texting and calling. In response to these demands, service providers have reacted in various ways, either by increasing the price of contracts or by negotiating the amount of national and international data available. The reasons behind these different kinds of approaches lie in a company’s method of reconciling consumer needs with profit margins. “Companies need to successfully integrate the service charge of foreign operators,” explains Thierry Iafrate of Orange. “Even with the latest price cap of €7.7 per gigabyte, if a national operating company has to pay €77 for 10GB of usage while only charging €30 for the package, they sell at a loss. Every company has had to find their way around this calculation.” Orange, for example, has not increased its original price points; however package size affects available June 2017

ALEXIS PISANO New bundles are “European”

roaming capacity. In this respect, the size of your subscription is particularly important: with the low cost and small 2GB and 6GB plans, everything is included on both a national and European level. Once you move to the 15GB and 25GB plans, only 10GB and 12GB of these are accessible for roaming, respectively.

Tango however has opted for an all-inclusive transition into the European roaming market; in other words, everything within your subscription can be used within and without national borders. While this might be considered simpler, it is also slightly more expensive, increasing the cost of individual packages by a few euros.

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Partenaire automobile exclusif:

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photo: Rob Wayman Photography

Ticketing: (+352) 26 32 26 32 www.philharmonie.lu

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them either at home or abroad. If you think your subscription doesn’t suit your needs, we invite consumers to change it accordingly.” Pisano emphasises Post’s commercial stance: “From our point of view, it makes the most sense to take care of everything and include it all into our deal. Our customers should be able to enjoy their entire plan anywhere in Europe. That’s our take on what it means to be European.”

Post Telecom in turn has not only kept its previous deals, it has added extra data to every package, making it the only national service provider to do so. “Our mission is not only to be as transparent as possible, but to create the best roaming quality for our customers,” states Alexis Pisano.

LEFTOVER DATA These different approaches highlight different advantages. According to Iafrate, current consumer usage indicates that upholding price unity with an additional surcharge for extra roaming activity is the most constructive way forward. “It’s about perspective: users like the idea of a lot of data, but many of them don’t reach capacity. Of course, the way June 2017

we use phones and data is changing, but at the same time, so are the charges. There might be high amounts of roaming usage during summer, but these usually balance out during the rest of the year. We are working with a surcharge now, but this might change as customers start reaching the limits of their data subscription. We also notify our customers if they reach their data capacity in order to prevent sudden invoice surges.” Tango, on the other hand, found it more beneficial to entirely revamp their portfolio and offer their customers subscriptions with fully integrated roaming activities. Camara comments: “We thought it would be easier for the customer to avoid complex calculations and small print. Our offers are clear: you can use

LONG-TERM CONTRACTS The changes herald an era of free communication and exchange. However this is not to say that the transformation comes without a price. Pascal Koehnen of the Luxembourg Consumers Union (UCL) warns that it is specifically the “price” of this change that seems to be a sore spot for consumers. “If they don’t use data in the first place, shifts in price and services cause problems. Getting out of long-standing contracts is the most difficult, and works out differently for every customer.” These issues are more likely to focus on particular groups, such as the oldest and youngest generations of society. “This can be potentially frustrating for targeted consumers, as national subscriptions are a lot cheaper, but then do not provide roaming. You are limited to either one or the other, which can restrict user flexibility and freedom,” remarks Camara. The telecommunication market has expanded immeasurably over the past decade, a development that is particularly advantageous to contemporary globetrotters. “Due to a constant flow of migration across borders, small countries like Luxembourg require and use more data than our neighbours Belgium and France,” states Iafrate. “For the most part these adjustments have already taken effect however, and will not directly impact most people.” The EU regulations are particularly welcome in the multicultural hub that is the grand duchy, where people rely on mobility and communication. So, roam around the world.

LUIS CAMARA It’s OK to review your plan

TOP TIPS Think about your actual roaming and day-to-day needs when looking at phone packages. Do you rarely text or call? Is wifi all you use? If so, you may have a more expensive plan than necessary. High data usage: Tango is cheaper than Post despite their price rise, but Post has two extra categories with different benefits. It’s really up to you how much you’re willing to spend. On the other hand, if you know that you’re low on the data usage scale, smaller packages, especially on current Orange deals, appear better value for money. FYI: the activity that uses the most data is video streaming, whether it’s YouTube, Netflix, video calls or any other streaming app.

Conférences

Stands

Evénements

Service clé en main et organisation

YES, we do.

BUSINESS

NATION BRANDING

Text by NATHAN THOMAS

Photography by MARION DESSARD

“ MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT MORE FOCUSED” The government is rationalising its international business promotion programme.

he economic development agency Luxinnovation was recently tapped by the government to lead communications around Luxembourg’s new national identity, conduct a market intelligence study, and prospect potential investors. CEO Jean-Paul Schuler spoke with Delano about the new challenges. Nathan Thomas: What has changed? Jean-Paul Schuler: In September 2015 [the economy minister] Étienne Schneider decided to review the promotion and prospection activities of Luxembourg. By promotion, we mean supporting companies when they want to export, and by prospection how to attract foreign investors to Luxembourg. At that time we had Luxembourg for Business, concentrating mostly on the marketing and communication of the Luxembourg ecosystem. We [also] had the Ministry of Economy and the Chamber of Commerce. He said we needed to make it a little bit more focused. Then the idea came, since Luxinnovation has a cluster initiative, to give this mission to us. The task of promotion remains with the Chamber of Commerce, but we will also help them with market intelligence. Your budget will be increased. What was the reason for this, and why has Luxinnovation been chosen for the new roles? We didn’t ask for these changes, we have been asked by the minister of economy to add these new activities to our portfolio. It is important to say that we didn’t want to jeopardise our normal activities--supporting innovative projects with the Luxembourg ecosystem. [Our] budget will be increased from €7m in 2016 June 2017

to about €9m in 2017. This is mainly due to the hiring of additional people for the new missions. How do you plan to identify and attract new investors in Luxembourg? There is a whole concept, a strategy behind this. We have a more selective approach to attract companies in order to fulfil the whole value chain. To give you an example, in Luxembourg we have very good ICT infrastructure, so now we are looking in different sectors--automotive, bio, health and so on--to attract companies which have need of strong ICT infrastructure.

JEAN-PAUL SCHULER The Luxinnovation chief wants to attract firms around specific supply chains icon_website www. luxinnovation.lu

You will also have to lead the communication of the new visual identity of Luxembourg. What does this rebranding mean for Luxinnovation? Before we had the Luxinnovation website, Luxembourg for Business and the Chamber of Commerce had their websites. The new idea is to have only one, under the Luxembourg branding “Let’s make it happen”. Potential investors can see what they need to invest in Luxembourg, what is happening on the innovation side, and what support they can get later, when they are located in Luxembourg.

COVER STORY

FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY

Text by STEPHEN EVANS

Photography and Illustrations by MAISON MODERNE

Fintech will change us LI K E

CO MME NT

S H ARE

36 Luxembourg’s financial sector From blockchain to utilities, there’s some real potential around the corner

Is revolution being planned in Luxembourg? Are new technologies about to fundamentally change the way financial services are purchased and produced? This is unlikely over the short term, but fund industry technology is taking interesting new twists. June 2017

he word “fintech” came to prominence three or four years ago, and the term had an initial shock value. More recently the industry has got a handle on the potential innovations it represents. “There has been some fear and opposition to fintech in how it may change the value chain of activities and marginalise some business lines,” commented Nasir Zubairi, CEO of the newly opened Luxembourg House of Financial Technology (Lhoft). “However, firms are beginning to recognise that embracing change and technology is the winning strategy rather than being resistant and potentially face decline over time,” he added. Blockchain has dominated recent discussions about fintech (see box on right). Exci ted early talk of a swift end for large chunks of the fund administration business has been tempered as the industry probed the potential for this technology. It is suggested that blockchain opens the potential for asset managers to work more directly with clients. Thus they could bypass much of the back-office work ongoing in Luxembourg and elsewhere. Some suggest this change could happen quickly. However, the most excited talk has cooled in recent months. “It makes no sense to oversell the technology, and there was too much hype in 2015 and 2016,” said Laurent Kratz, co-founder and president of Scorechain, the firm leading the Fundchain project that is investigating the potential for blockchain in the fund industry (see box on page 60). “It is utopia to think that blockchain will unite all financial services around the world,” said Said Fihri, associate partner with KPMG in Luxembourg, which is a co-leader of the competing FundsDLT project. Nevertheless, it is a technology that many players feel the need to understand and monitor (see the same box for more details about ongoing projects).

The brake: regulation or technology? “Whereas the time between an investor making a decision and a transfer agent executing it currently takes up to about six days, this new fund distribution platform will do it in hours,” Fihri commented in

P R OFI L E

CHRIS MARCILLA

Apsi Fintech Virtual Currencies Working Group

CRYPTO-ASSET FUNDS: “We will start to see ETFs based on crypto-assets emerge in the coming years. Regulators have been wary so far, but when big players start to see the relevance of this they will start investing and lobbying, and this will move things forward.”

December 2016 at the launch of FundsDLT. Fundchain’s “Smart TA” seeks to do something similar, streamlining the work of transfer agents (TA), the businesses that keep records of who owns securities and carries out related transactions. Although theoretically possible to have customers working directly with suppliers over the blockchain, it would be a huge technical, organisational and cultural leap. Moreover, current regulations are based on existing structures, so buy-in from Euro pean and global public authorities would also be required. “Blockchain can’t solve every problem, but it can answer questions within a supply chain such as that between asset managers, fund administration, TA, distributors and investors,” said Kratz.

Real blockchain potential Although playing down the short and medium-term implications, Fihri believes the potential of this technology will be felt by the early 2020s. “In five years’ time things will have started to change dramatically,” he said. “Our prototype has been made, the blockchain engine for clearing and settlement and TA are tested and they work. We are now building an interface

WHAT IS BLOCKCHAIN? Blockchain is the online tool that powers crypto-currencies like bitcoin. Ultimately this currency works via secure, shared online lists of transactions. When information is changed, every user can see what has been altered and by whom. Advocates of cryptocurrencies point to it being run by the users, without the intervention of middleman central banks. So if a virtual currency is possible, then one can represent other financial securities online, as well as packaged products like investment funds and insurance and dematerialised contracts.

June 2017

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CONTINUED

and by June we will be testing the system with real transactions in partnership with two asset managers,” he explained. Fundchain now has a “proof of concept with software that runs in a production-like environment,” said Kratz. “We now have to do the math to see if it is worth going from a proof of concept to a full bloom product.” Yet even a proponent such as Kratz points to drawbacks: “Blockchain is a database, but it is relatively slow,” he said. “It is not appropriate if you are thinking of duplicating what you are doing already. If you are thinking of using it alone, don’t: use a normal database,” he added. “We have identified opportunities and challenges. We want to take a pragmatic approach. We don’t want a revolution but evolution,” agreed Laurent Marochini, head of innovation at SGSS Luxembourg, and chairman of the Association of the Luxembourg Fund Industry’s blockchain working group.

P R OFI L E

FRANÇOIS-KIM HUGÉ

Deloitte

EVEN MORE BLOCKCHAIN: The latest blockchain project has just been launched by Deloitte. KYCstart, which aims to smooth customer onboarding using distributed ledger technology, was launched in early May 2017. This proof-ofconcept is an adaptation made by Deloitte Luxembourg for a platform developed by their EMEA Blockchain Lab.

Day-to-day benefits While blockchain is attracting much of the attention, hundreds of established and startup companies are working to make day-to-day life easier in fund administration and beyond. 2Gears has created Governance.io to help financial professionals deal with data, documentation, controls, and workflow processes. This product

BERT BOERMAN

2Gears

WHAT TO CALL IT? “Maybe ‘fintech’ is not the right word. Progress is not just about technology. Rather it is about finding innovative ways to make your business more efficient.” REGULATORY TECHNOLOGY: “Regtech is about solving specific problems. At the moment there is focus on finance, but this could also help other industries meet regulatory requirements.”

June 2017

P RO F I L E

fits into the sub-category of fintech dubbed “regtech”: technologies designed to help firms deal with the post 2008 wave of regulatory controls. “Around $300bn [in] fines have been issued in the last eight years to firms breaching regulations,” commented François-Kim Hugé, a partner at the consultancy Deloitte. Little surprise, then, that this is a booming sector. Deloitte has identified around 150 tools in their “Regtech Universe” online catalogue, a non-exhaustive list of some of the most useful solutions on the market.

Revolutionising KYC? Know your customer (KYC) practices are also ripe for rationalisation. Several players around the world have sought to establish so-called “KYC utilities”: centralised repositories of data about individuals and companies against which identities could be checked to prevent criminals using the financial system. Currently, every financial business has to conduct their own investigations into each client. Not only is this costly and time consuming, but clients don’t like being asked several times for proof of identity and probity. A KYC utility organises these checks centrally, thus cutting out the high cost for repeated checks.

each individual’s stated risk appetite. It remains to be seen if it is the delivery channel holding people back, or a more fundamental issue with a lack of knowledge or spare cash. “In fact, we found that clients tend to be from an older age group,” said Thibault de Barsy, CEO of Keytrade Bank Luxembourg, commenting on the product’s earlier launch in Belgium.

No ideal solution exists yet for the cross-border investment funds, but work is underway. In the mix are startups such as KYC3, which is using publicly available big data to build customer profiles. While a utility is a technological challenge, here too there are also organisational and regulatory hurdles to surmount.

Buying funds via Facebook? Making it easy to invest in funds has been a long-standing goal for the industry. Certainly easing KYC requirements would help. Also, there is the worry that younger people appear less interested in investment funds than previous generations. It is hoped that technology can help, such as recent moves to build so-called “robo-advisors”. These online tools use algorithms to create an investment portfolio to fit clients’ financial means and risk appetites. Robo- advisors started to emerge in the US at the beginning of this decade, arriving in Europe a few years later, but they still have limited, niche appeal. An example is KeyPrivate, Luxembourg’s first robo-advisor service which was launched in May. With a minimum investment of €15,000, clients are offered a cocktail of exchange traded funds based on

Why Luxembourg Why is this range of innovation happening here? “Luxembourg is the natural place where it should happen. Our vibrant and dynamic ecosystem is an innovation catalyst,” said Marochini. Of course, as the largest cross-border fund domicile in the world, this country has the expertise and interest in encouraging innovations to cut costs and improve service. Also, there is the advantage of the positive attitude of the local regulator, and the influence this brings on the European level. In a recent white paper, the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, an American post-trade financial services company, said that many of the delays in trading are the result of market structure and laws, and not technology limitations. Thus the long grind of working closely with national and international regulators to streamline rules is just as important to improving services P R OFI L E

LAURENT MAROCHINI

Société Générale and Alfi Blockchain Working Group SKILLED: “Thanks to the many ongoing projects there is a high level of understanding and expertise in blockchain technology in Luxembourg.” SOLUTIONS NEEDED: “Using blockchain in isolation is like having a smartphone in the Middle Ages. We need to innovate together.”

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as having groundbreaking software. So projects such as blockchain are driving conversations within the industry, with the regulators and with governments. Thus the Luxembourg state and regulator’s eagerness to help business flourish is a major advantage. “The CSSF is excellent,” commented Chris Marcilla, chairman of the disruptive models working group at the Information Society Professionals Association (Apsi), referring to Luxembourg’s financial regulatory agency. “They are always seeking to understand the business model and underlying technology of each new idea. This is not the case in some other countries, and that’s the real difference.” To illustrate, Luxembourg was one of the first countries to recognise the legitimacy of virtual currencies; the CSSF began regulating them early in 2014.

PRO FI L E

NASIR ZUBAIRI

Luxembourg House of Financial Technology

LHOFT WORK: “If needed, we help firms with their strategy around fintech and with appropriate knowledge and education to ensure they are fully equipped to take control of the digital future.” FUNDS AND FINTECH: “The fund industry is becoming more open to fintech with the realisation that it is a huge opportunity for cost savings, efficiencies and better customer service.”

BLOCKCHAIN BUILDING FUNDSDLT

FundsDLT is a blockchainbased digital fund distribution platform for asset managers publicly launched in December 2016. It is led by Fundsquare (the Luxembourg Stock Exchange’s fund services subsidiary), InTech (a subsidiary of the Post Group) and KPMG Luxembourg. Several dozen local players are either part of the consortium working on this project, or are observers. A prototype blockchain engine for clearing and settlement has been created and tested, with a view to achieving an industrialised minimum viable product by mid-2018. DLT stands for the “distributed ledger technology” that was developed to power crypto currencies.

June 2017

FUNDCHAIN

Ten major banks, fund administration firms and a consultancy participated in the first phase of a project led by the blockchain specialist Scorechain. By the end of last year proof of concept software had been run, and a white paper issued spelling out the opportunities and challenges ahead. They are currently seeking to add further partners as they move to the next phase of developing a minimum viable product from mid-2017.

INFRACHAIN

The government wants to open the potential of blockchain to all comers by creating trusted, regulatory compliant infrastructure. In November 2016 it announced the creation of Infrachain to work on the technical, governance, and legal questions. Five public/private organisations have been exploring this since then, with the first version set for launch by the summer. This should allow businesses of all types to plug into the system easily, so lowering barriers to entry for blockchain innovations.

Fihri agrees: “Luxembourg is the first European country to create governance systems through which blockchain technology can operate in compliance with regulation. The Luxembourg regulator and government are fully dedicated to using blockchain.” He sees this as being key to the FundsDLT project. “The biggest part of the work is to find something that fits the regulation,” he said.

Local and European This reflects the experience of 2Gears, last year’s winner of the Luxembourg Fintech Startup of the Year. Their Governance.io product helps financial businesses keep track of governance processes and investment fund activity. In Luxembourg they assess client needs, take soundings from the CSSF, and test solutions developed in their tech centre in the Netherlands. “We show our products to the CSSF, but they don’t give us a badge of approval. They do offer useful, private feedback if they think we can help improve regulatory control,” said Bert Boerman, the company’s CEO. Not only does this help in the day-to-day, but the CSSF can take their experience to the European level, opening the way for more wide-ranging reform. Luxembourg’s reputation also opens doors for private

VIKI GÓMEZ Originally from Spain, the triple world “flat” champion lives in Luxembourg. A true legend in freestyle BMX, he won the European X Game twice and the Red Bull Circle of Balance three times.

C E L E B R AT I N G LUXEMBOURG MIR WËLLE WEISE WIE MIR SINN

W E D N E S D AY, 1 3 D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 7 — L U X E M B O U R G C O N G R È S

Maison Moderne will be celebrating Luxembourg with a gala evening attended by many of the country’s “ambassadors”, all of whom help promote the country abroad. celebratingluxembourg.com

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FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY

CONTINUED

initiatives. “We have worked with members in the [European Securities and Markets Authority] consultation process as part of our work on blockchain,” said Marochini. “Ideas such as a KYC utility and the mutualisation of customers will need government and regulatory approval and backing, and then European level too and hopefully globally,” added Hugé.

Public/private partnerships The new public/private project of the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology is another manifestation of how public bodies work with the industry. “We seek to partner with firms, to work with them, to identify business pain points, inefficiencies and opportunities and help them to address these,” stated Zubairi. “We do this either by connecting them with existing and exciting domestic and international startups, or by considering new unique solutions we can work with them, and with other stakeholders in the ecosystem.” He pointed to work on a KYC platform as an example.

P RO F IL E

SAID FIHRI

KPMG

WILL BLOCKCHAIN DESTROY TRANSFER AGENTS? “I don’t believe so for the moment, but there could be progressive replacement. TAs will need to redefine their business model and be more focused on adding value.” TOKENISATION: “FundsDLT and Scorechain are using ‘tokenisation’ of real cash. This will allow cash to be mirrored on the blockchain.”

June 2017

P R OFI L E

LAURENT KRATZ

Scorechain

EFFICIENCY GAINS: “There are still too many faxes and manual work in the fund industry, so there is ample opportunity to make improvements.” FROM DAYS TO MINUTES: “It takes days to move assets, but this could be done instantly or at most in a day.”

Thus innovation is another reason for local players to come together to discuss potential improvements. For example, this was a central motivation of the bank Pictet to decide to work on the Fundchain project. “We immediately thought it would be interesting to share our views with other market players to see how disruptive this technology could be in the fund administration business,” said Jean-François Pierrard, head of transfer agent at Pictet’s FundPartner Solutions. “It was very interesting to see how competitors shared ideas with the aim of ultimately reaching a common goal.”

More conversations “Maybe fintech is not the right word, but for us it has helped open doors and start conversations,” said Boerman. He is of the view that technical innovation and financial services have a long history. Perhaps the greatest financial technological revolution of all was the ATM, but it still took decades and further innovation for us to fundamentally change the way we use banks. “Tech has generally been seen as a support tool for the fund industry. But businesses are now having to view fintech as a core pillar of their strategy and enabler for future competitiveness,” said Zubairi. He suggests that internal processes and culture needs to change to adapt. This means focusing on marginal improvements while keeping an eye on the horizon for major long-term trends.

Awarded “Best Content Design” Content Cuckoo Awards 2017 — Bronze Proudly produced by Maison Moderne Agency. Find out more on maisonmoderne.com

BUSINESS

FINTECH

Text by STEPHAN EVANS

Photography by SÉBIASTIEN GOOSSENS

LOFTY FINTECH VISION

he newly-inaugurated Luxembourg House of Financial Technology (Lhoft) is a public-private initiative designed to bring players together, and 24 April saw the official opening of its new, but temporary, Kirchberg premises. “This is a place for the community to meet, ideate, create, energise and collaborate,” said Lhoft’s CEO Nasir Zubairi to a crowd of around 150 attending the ceremony. “I have lived and worked in eight financial centres and I have never before experienced the spirit and openness we have in Luxembourg,” he said. “The ability to get key stakeholders and decision makers around the same table, in a spirit of innovation and desire to progress, sets this country apart and will propel us forward.” Zubairi claimed that around 50 local and international companies have applied for space at the Lhoft, underlining the need to find larger permanent premises. A long-term solution is expected for next year. icon_website www.lhoft.com icon_website www.delano.lu/snapshots

FINTECH LAUNCHPAD A. Nasir Zubairi, CEO of the Luxembourg House of Financial Technology, speaks during its official inauguration ceremony B. Pierre Gramegna, the finance minister, speaks with press C. Björn Ottersten D. Jonathan Prince E. Aida Nazarikhorram F. Niklas Söderström G. Andrew Byford H. Visitors try the lift

June 2017

SNAPSHOTS

Now on newsstands

BUSINESS

FINANCE

Text by STEPHEN EVANS

Photography by MIKE ZENARI

RISK A STRATEGIC CONCERN Risk management has always had strategic importance for businesses, but this has become more formalised recently. Hence the broader interest in the Alfi & Alrim European Risk Management Conference.

LUC NEUBERG The head of the Alrim trade group says risk management is a governance issue

uc Neuberg commented: “Investment is all about risk and return, so when returns are low, clients want to know more about how we are managing risk.” He is president of the Luxembourg Association for Risk Management (Alrim). “Thus the increased profile of risk is driven by the market as well as the growth of regulation, because people need to feel secure.” CEOs and boards are increasingly aware of the need to manage risk from the top, and to align this with strategy and organisation, as policies are created to anticipate business risks. This comes on top of the reinforced risk management requirements in the regulation, particularly for the retail-oriented Ucits rules, as well as for alternative funds. This has driven the change of focus for the 31 May European Risk Management Conference taking place at the Chamber of Commerce. Where previously the orientation was largely technical, now there is greater emphasis on wider governance matters. The organisers are expecting as many as 250 people to attend, with a substantial number coming from outside the grand duchy. This will be the eighth edition of this conference. Over this time, the country has positioned itself as risk management hub for international asset management groups. “The work we have done within our businesses and within Alrim to build international experience has created a global centre of June 2017

excellence, and this is exemplified by the quality of this conference,” said Christoph Adamy, chief risk officer with Allianz Global Investors Luxembourg. Around 60% of Alrim’s 245-strong membership work in the fund industry, while around 100 risk managers participate in the Alfi technical committee. The pair are particularly looking forward to the conference presentation by Francesco Mazzaferro, head of secretariat at the Frankfurt-based European Systemic Risk Board. “Systemic risk is a topic on the agenda of everyone in the financial

sector and beyond,” Adamy said. He also highlighted the final panel of the day which will feature a risk expert from the local regulator, the CSSF, as well as risk and regulation specialists from the European fund federation Efama. “We have developed a sophisticated risk management culture in Luxembourg,” noted Neuberg. “This is a large centre, but we are close to each other and this enables us to react quickly when necessary, in close cooperation with the CSSF who are always open to discuss any new challenges.” icon_website www.alrim.lu

LE EC

C T IC & ALT

I V E MU S I C T A N

Radio E N G L I S H NE

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UTH

SHOWS

NEW FREQUENCY

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BUSINESS

AGENDA

TEN EVENTS

Delano presents a selection of business, informational and networking events held in English. Advance registration and fees may be required so consult the website indicated for details. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

PIANO CONCERT

COMMUNICATION BCC “It’s all about them!” is one of a series of communication workshops explaining the art and science behind communication. This edition will look at perceptions of others. icon_when Wed 14 June, 8:30 icon_where Badenoch & Clark, Luxembourg-Gare icon_website www.bcc.lu

WOMEN & FINANCE IBCL Aimed at startups, this event explores ways of protecting intellectual property and identifies the concrete steps startups can take. icon_when Tue 30 May, 18:30 icon_where Casino, Luxembourg-Centre icon_website www.ibcl.lu

CHINA CHOPSTICKS Shanghai pianist Xiao-Peng Jiang will give a private performance during a light buffet supper for China Chopsticks Business Group. Participation is on a donation basis. icon_when Thu 1 June, 18:30 icon_where Piano Kelly, 17 rue de Munsbach icon_mail chopsticks@fidroyal.lu

RISK MANAGEMENT

WOMEN’S NETWORKING

Alfi and Alrim The trade groups host this one-day conference on risk governance, measurement, management and reporting in Ucits and AIF with a focus on systemic risk, risk management in Luxembourg and future regulation. icon_when Wed 31 May, 9:00-18:00 icon_where Chamber of Commerce, Kirchberg icon_website www.alfi.lu

FIND MORE EVENTS Check Delano’s digital agenda for the latest happenings: www.delano.lu/agenda

June 2017

The Network The women’s business association hosts intercultural trainer Sandrine Gashonga for a talk about the roots of cultural learning and the importance of self-identification. icon_when Wed 21 June, 19:30-22:00 icon_where Hotel Le Royal, Luxembourg-Centre icon_website www.thenetwork.lu

CIRCULAR ECONOMY Nobelux This conference welcomes experts to explore the global and local evolution of women and finance and the impact it has had on finance and other industries. icon_when Wed 14 June, 8:30-15:30 icon_where Luxembourg Congress Center, Kirchberg icon_website www.nobelux.se

NETWORKING TIPS Hub Dot Women’s networking organisation Hub Dot Luxembourg celebrates its third anniversary with a classic Hub Dot event, featuring a line-up of inspiring speakers. icon_when Tue 13 June, 19:00-21:30 icon_where Bo Concept Store, Bertrange icon_website www.hubdot.com

CULTURAL MINDFULNESS

Luxinnovation Hear high-level government and industry leaders talk about Luxembourg’s developments in the world of the circular economy at this three-day forum. Venues and times vary. icon_when Tue 20-Thu 22 June icon_website www.circularhotspot2017.lu

RESEARCH & THE MARKET

Communication expert Pedro Castilho takes participants through their paces in understanding the rules of, and secrets to, good networking as well as habits to avoid. icon_when Thu 15 June, 14:00-17:15 icon_where Neimënster, Luxembourg-Grund icon_website club.paperjam.lu

Chamber of Commerce This conference, which spans two half days, will look at protecting and commercialising research results as well as issues relating to developing startups such as securing venture capital. icon_when Wed 28-Thu 29 June icon_where Maison du Savoir, Esch-sur-Alzette icon_website www.cc.lu

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BUSINESS

Text by JESS BAULDRY

Photography by MIKE ZENARI

FINDING SOLUTIONS Every Sunday morning Kavitha Ramachandran forgets about work and shares her hobby and passion with people around the world.

CLOCKING OFF!

or Kavitha, working as senior manager, business development and client management for Maitland Luxembourg brings a new challenge every day. “It puts me in front of clients, finding solutions for them through the services we offer. You never know what each day will bring,” she says, adding: “What gives me most satisfaction is when you’re able to find a solution, make them happy and make sure they come back again for our services.” The businesswoman, who originally hails from Chennai, India, came to Luxembourg in August 1996, when she worked for Liberty Ermitage as an accountant. She joined Maitland in 2001 and worked her way up from the position of senior accountant, trust and corporate services, through team leader and manager to senior manager, client servi ces, in 2013. Kavitha leads a project to establish Maitland as an alternative investment fund manager and AIFMD-compliant, specialised investment fund platform. Since April 2014, she has served as board member and conducting officer for the Chapter 16 management company and AIFM-MS Management Services.

June 2017

SUNDAYS ON AIR “Raagamalika”, which airs from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., is a platform for classical, semi-classical and folk tunes from the Indian subcontinent. “It brings out the opportunity to be creative, think differently, be completely detached to your work life,” Kavitha says, describing the show as her hobby and passion. The presenter fell into the role after helping a friend with a radio jingle. She enjoyed it and, after some encouragement, in 2009 began helping regularly on her friend’s show. After Radio Ara extended their time slot, they split the show, and Kavitha was given a full hour which she now dedicates to Indian and classical folk music. “The interesting thing about Indian music is that most of the time, it’s connected to religion through festivals. So, it’s an opportunity to talk about the festivals and traditions that go with it to make audiences aware.” Thanks to the internet, the presenter reaches a broad audience, from the east coast of the US to Singapore and India, and many listeners will send in messages. “That’s pretty amazing… For me that’s why I love the live show, because it’s interactive.” Most important of all, she says this hobby has taught her how to absorb criticism and learn from her mistakes. Kavitha jokes: “My daughter is 17 and she is my biggest critic!” icon_facebook Raagamalika on Ara

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LIFESTYLE 72

UPFRONT

The diar y

CHURCH CHARITY SPORTS DAY The Anglican Church Luxembourg hosts a charity sports and fun day from 1:30 p.m.-6 p.m. on 18 June in the park behind the Coque leisure centre in Kirchberg. Welly-wanging, bash the rat, tug of war, egg and spoon races, and five-a-side football are among the family-friendly activities offered. icon_website www.anglican.lu

June 2017

GOLDEN BEAN Local coffee chain Golden Bean recently opened its third branch in the ING building at the central train station. Founded by Colombian brothers Felipe and Federico Carrillo, the pair pride themselves on hand-roasting techniques and good relations with coffee growers. icon_where Golden Bean, place de la Gare, Luxembourg-Gare icon_website www.goldenbean.lu

FLY LUX. TO NICE Volotea has opened a new route linking Luxembourg and Nice in France. It offers two flights a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays, which will be operated on a Boeing 717 from April to October. Volotea said it is offering over 14,000 seats on this new route in 2017. icon_website www.volotea.com

NATIONAL DAY CELEBRATIONS Celebrate national day on 22 June with torchlight processions, fireworks from Pont Adolphe starting at 11 p.m. and street parties. More formal celebrations follow on 23 June with an official ceremony, military parade in the Gare district and Te Deum service in NotreDame cathedral. icon_where Luxembourg City Centre ING NIGHT MARATHON Around 15,000 runners are expected to pound the streets of the capital when Luxembourg’s annual marathon sets off from Luxexpo, at 7 p.m. on 27 May. Some streets throughout the capital will be closed to traffic before and during the race. icon_website www.ing-nightmarathon.lu UTOPOLIS TO KINEPOLIS Following the takeover of the Utopolis group by Kinepolis, cinéphiles will have to bookmark a new website in their browsers. The cinemas in Kirchberg and Belval have changed their names to Kinepolis Kirchberg and Belval. icon_website w ww. kinepolisluxembourg.lu

FREE CONCERTS

FÊTE DE LA MUSIQUE Mid-June every year, Luxembourg beats to the rhythm of the Fête de la Musique. This year, the 16th edition will be celebrated from 16 June to 21 June, offering more than 700 musicians on different stages performing free concerts throughout the country. Among the new features, three new hosts will take part in the music festival: Steinfort, Schuttrange and Bertrange. Also for the first time, Fête de la Musique will span all 22 neighbourhoods of the capital on 16 June with the first concert expected to begin at 7 a.m. at the central train station. As always, Dudelange remains a flagship city and this year, the Fête de la Musique will expand across new citycentre area “Am Duerf”. In the northern part of the country, Ettelbruck’s line-up continues to broaden and Echternach, this year’s favourite, offers more than 60 concerts and events--including a concert for babies! Founded in 2001 in Luxembourg, the Fête de la Musique association coordinates and promotes this festival nationally, while respecting the three founding principles of the event: to feature and celebrate all genres of music, to enable all musicians to showcase their talent and make sure it remains free for everyone. icon_website www.fetedelamusique.lu

Flickr Maison Moderne Fête de la Musique

SKODA TOUR DE LUXEMBOURG Follow Luxembourg’s biggest road cycling event over five days starting 31 May with the prologue in Luxembourg City. Four stages take riders through Bascharage, Steinfort, Walferdange, Eschweiler, Wiltz, Diekirch, Mersch and back to the capital on 4 June. icon_website www.aotdl.com

Patrick Galbats

SCHOOL FUN A. There is no better way to learn your continents than with a game of World Twister B. Members of the Rock Club band played rock and blues throughout the afternoon C. Charities including Amnesty Luxembourg were present at the fest D. Roles were reversed as students threw wet sponges at teachers for money

QUICK TAKE

ITY

A GROWING COMMUN nnevoie out taking part in the Bo Philippe Fettes talks ab it opened in 2013. community garden since

Natalie Gerhardstein: What made you decide to get involved in the Bonnevoie community garden? Philippe Fettes: We had a garden at home, and I liked being in it, but I wanted to do something constructive in a group. I joined with my family (my wife and our two kids, now aged 12 and 14). We thought it would be nice for the kids to be a part of this and work together with others. What has been the most rewarding aspect of gardening? There is great diversity represented, with a mix of different generations, individuals and families, Luxembourgers and foreigners. You might have a 17-year-old working together with a 60-year-old on a project, sometimes struggling to find a common language because they are from different countries. It’s also rewarding organising together. You can’t just go to the garden, plant a seed, and the next day have someone come and work the soil because you haven’t marked where you put the seed. That just doesn’t work: you have to find a way to work together. It’s relatively easy to garden on your own, but gardening with 20 people is different. It’s a self-organising community. How much time do you dedicate to the project? It varies per season, but normally a few hours per week. Most of the time there’s work to be done on the weekends, mainly between April and September or October, although we also sometimes meet in the winter. If there’s a lot of work to do in the garden, such as building a shed, I prefer doing this during the week if I can make some time. On average five to ten people come out to work on whatever needs to be done. What advice would you give to someone considering taking part in a community garden? You can be in a situation where you might plant a seed and take care of the plant, but someone else might harvest [the produce]. And that person might not share the harvest if there wasn’t enough--it’s a process of giving at one moment, taking at another. My advice is that you should be curious about experimenting with this way of doing things. If you are very individualistic and want your own plot, you won’t be happy, nor will the others. You really need to take pleasure in working together and in an environment where not everything is clearly defined. There is uncertainty, but we try to have a fluid, self-organising way of doing things. icon_info For more information, Luxembourg City residents can contact: icon_mail environnement@vdl.lu icon_website www.vdl.lu Outside the city, check with your local town hall.

June 2017

Marion Dessard Philippe Fettes

ISL MAY FEST Bad weather forced May Festival celebrations indoors at the International School of Luxembourg on 7 May, but it didn’t put off visitors. The fun run received a record turnout while an array of stands helped raise money for charity. icon_website www.delano.lu/lifestyle

LIFESTYLE

SNAPSHOTS

Text by JESS BAULDRY

Photography by MIKE ZENARI

Releasing ek e g r e n n i e th

ikachu, Wolverine and Darth Vader enter a bar--chances are they were hanging at Luxcon, the meeting place for sci-fi, fantasy and horror, hosted in Luxembourg from 22-23 April. The two-day geek-fest, now in its fourth year, attracted huge crowds after moving from the Schongfabrik, in Tétange, to bigger digs at the Forum Geesseknäppchen in Hollerich. “This is a side of Luxembourg you don’t often see… Here, nothing is normal!” according to the president of the ScienceFiction Fantasy Society Luxembourg, Gérard Kraus. In addition to welcoming major authors including Christopher Priest, Ian R. MacLeod and Peadar O’Guilin, Luxcon 2017 hosted medieval battle re-enactments, scores of stands, a geek speed dating event and the ever-popular Cos Play contest in which people came dressed as their favourite characters from film, video games or comic books. “I never knew that geeks existed in Luxembourg. I always thought I was the special cookie in the class,” Sophia, who was dressed as animé character Nui Marima, told Delano. “I love it so much! A lot of people made their costumes themselves. It’s amazing to see what people do!” icon_facebook SFFSLux

A A

June 2017

SNAPSHOTS

SCI-FI AND MORE

A. Mealtimes were never dull at Luxcon 2017 B. 3D gamers were in their element trying out games new and old C. The Ghostbusters kept spirits up with their antics D. Visitors dressed as Super Mario and Princess Peach smile for a snap E. “The Force” can make people do strange things F. Star Wars fans were out in force supported by the Luxembourg Star Wars Collectors Club G. Klingon was the lingua franca for some visitors H. A woman fixes her wig while her neighbour sketches out a costume I. A colourful parade of costumes were on display as visitors dressed as film or book characters J. Creativity was a big part of Luxcon K. Duellers battle it out in the playground with medieval-style weapons L. Nothing was what it seemed at the festival M. For those unable to make their own costumes, there was a chance to buy them N. Luxcon was organised by the Science Fiction Fantasy Society Luxembourg O. What’s in the suitcase? A fan poses in a cut-out from the film Fantastic Beasts P. Retro gaming--children play Super Mario Brothers Q. Luxcon was a paradise for collectors of models R. A Storm Trooper poses for a photo shoot

June 2017

LIFESTYLE

GETTING INVOLVED

Text by ALIX RASSEL

Photography by LALA LA PHOTO

This is one happy club rldwide obsession Nordic mania and the wo There is no denying it, ian lives on . But what if you are a newly o met up with with all things Scandinav in Luxembourg? Delan arrived Nordic woman b for a hygge coffee to find out more. the Nordic Women’s Clu

he Nordic Women’s Club was founded in January 1974. “At the time there were a few trailing spouses who spoke little French or German and wanted to know more about Luxembourg,” explains the group’s former chairwoman, Inge Gerd, originally from Denmark. “We organised opportunities to meet socially with other Nordics and speak in our native languages, but at the beginning the club was very small.” Over the last 40-something years the club has grown as more Nordic companies opened offices in Luxembourg, providing opportunities for international work experience. “Some people may come for a 12-month assignment, but like Luxembourg so much they end up staying here,” says Kristel Weinreich, the current chairwoman and a Finn who has been living in the grand duchy for the last 13 years. Despite the favourable publicity that the Nordic countries receive, Inge and Kristel both believe that Luxembourg has a lot to offer. “If you have children, it is relatively easy to meet people in Luxembourg and culturally there is a lot to do; be it going to other capital cities, visiting museums and living in a truly international community,” states Kristel. “That’s why many Nordics find it difficult when they return home, they miss that international feeling we have here.” Undeniably there are some things about the Nordic way of life that people miss. Work-life balance is truly a priority, and many people leave work at 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. to spend time with their families. Daycare is also widely available, and the state takes care of many other essential aspects of life. “In general, Nordics understand the meaning of work-life balance,” says Kristel. “Usually both parents are in full-time employment and there is a support system available to help with childcare, it tends to lead to Nordic children being quite independent.” June 2017

KRISTEL WEINREICH & INGE GERD Luxembourg has a lot to offer to Nordic expats

Over the last four decades the group has seen many changes, but Kristel is keen to highlight that the Nordic Women’s Club is a social association, not an informative one. “We occasionally hold seminars where professionals speak about taxation in Luxembourg, the school system or even the upcoming local elections,” she explains. “Having said that, we are not legal advisers, and the majority of our events are social events such as monthly ladies’ lunches, book clubs, a bi-annual ladies’ dinner and organised trips to attractions around Luxembourg.” In addition to the club’s regular events, the Scandinavian and Iceland stands at the International Bazaar are something members always like to volunteer for. “Christmas is a special time for most Nordics and our members enjoy participating, but we are not responsible for the stands themselves,” explains Kristel, “Extra hygge [cosiness] is needed for that.” icon_facebook Nordic Women’s Club i Luxembourg

NORDIC FACTS WORLD HAPPINESS REPORT 2017 RANKINGS 1) Norway 2) Denmark 3) Iceland 5) Finland 10) Sweden icon_info www.worldhappiness.report HIGHEST PERSONAL INCOME TAX RATES IN THE WORLD 1) Sweden (60%) 2) Denmark (56%) 10) Finland (50%) 21) Iceland (44%) 26) Norway (39%) icon_info www.oecd.org GET COSY Hygge (pronounced “hue-guh”, not “hoo-gah”) is a Danish word used when acknowledging a feeling or moment--whether alone or with friends, at home or out, ordinary or extraordinary--as cosy, charming or special.

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Student Testimonials Joining the International English Curriculum at Lycée Michel Lucius was a major change in my life – for the better. To say I didn’t enjoy my old school is an understatement. As a native English speaker, trying to get through the Luxembourgish system successfully is like attempting to beat a grandmaster at chess, blindfolded. Although no school is perfect and there will always be things that are challenging or just plainly annoying, the diversity, independence and curriculum of Michel Lucius English classes are an incredible opportunity. I have never met a more diverse or

interesting group of people than those in my class. The teachers themselves understand that we aren’t six and we can organise our own work – the theory is that if you want to do well academically, you have to want to do well for yourself. That isn’t to say that you don’t get the help you need; you just have to want it. The offer of GCSEs and A Levels is extraordinary, especially in a non-English country. In the end, I’m not here to tell you to move to this school, but ask yourself: are you happy where you are? Eve O’Dea, 2IEC Student

Lycée | International School Michel Lucius: Because you matter! 157 avenue Pasteur | L-2311 Luxembourg english.office@lml.lu | www.lml.lu | +352 47 33 05 50

LIFESTYLE

SCHOOLS

Text by ISABELLA EASTWOOD

Photography by MARION DESSARD

y d a e r g n i t t e G l l e b t i x e r B for the ed signalled the urgent ne 13 and 2015 had already equences fur ther prompt 20 in ted uc nd co ys rve ns and its co Government su options in English . Brexit for additional schoolingthe grand duchy be ready? a need for change. Will

fter the shocking revelation in June 2016, the UK and European countries are trying to negotiate terms of separation, as well as future cooperation. As the first country ever gets ready to depart the EU, much uncharted territory lies ahead. And indeed, people in the grand duchy and across the continent have something at stake. Already several financial sector firms have announced that some of their operations would relocate from London to Luxembourg (along with other financial centres like Frankfurt and Dublin), in order to keep their access to the single EU market. While it is difficult to predict how many new jobs will be created locally, the international population will certainly continue to rise. And so will the demand for English-language schooling. That begs the question: can the country accommodate the needs of expat families, even more so now that we are susceptible to a sudden surge? Myriam Bamberg, a spokeswoman for the education ministry, says for the moment, the future remains quite unclear. “We can’t really talk about the impact before it’s happened. Before we know more, we can’t even begin to formulate a real response. However, the government is already responding to the present demands that call for more English alternatives with the extension of the Lycée Michel Lucius and Athénée English programmes, as well as the new European School in Differdange.”

June 2017

“ WE HAVE OPENED OUR ANGLO- AND FRANCOPHONE CLASSES TO MORE THAN OUR RULES ALLOW, WHICH IS ALREADY A SPECIAL MEASURE.”

Bamberg notes that the country’s English-language schooling options are detailed, in English, on the ministry’s website (www.men.lu).

DEMAND TO BUILD OVER TIME While the future is shrouded in uncertainty, it is clear that change is ahead. Sylvie Schmit-Verbrugghen of European Relocation Services observes that the recent openings have been a welcome development, although there will be a continuing rise in demand that Luxembourg will need to respond to. “It’s unlikely the effects of Brexit will be visible for another couple of years. However we need to be proactive about this: we’re already seeing a lot of interest from foreign companies who are not at ease anymore. Companies like certainty.”

“The case of education has been an ongoing problem in my last 16 years of business,” reckons Stéphane Compain of LuxRelo, another relocation advisory firm. “We don’t really have an issue in terms of housing, but schooling is something else. Education is the first thing HR looks at, and we’ve had families pull out of coming here because there was nowhere for the children to go. If Luxembourg wants to continue promoting itself as a European hub, there needs to be more investment in education. In order to be a place of growth, the government needs to keep up the pace.” Both Schmit-Verbrugghen and Compain agree that the steady flow into the grand duchy is not letting up; indeed, there is an increased demand for housing, education and space.

TOULA VASSILACOU The European School of Luxembourg gives priority to children of parents who work at an EU institution, but some spaces are available to other families

Not only that, but there is a growing variety in demands: “What about children with special needs? There are some prospects in French, German and Luxembourgish but not in English,” points out Schmit-Verbrugghen. At present, Luxembourg is home to a variety of institutions offering schooling in English. The English International Baccalaureate is taught in Athénée de Luxembourg (a state school) and International School of Luxembourg (a private institution), the European Baccalaureate at the Differdange International School (state) and European Schools (private), while English A-levels are taught at Lycée Michel Lucius (state) and St. George’s International School (private).

Despite the upcoming challenges, St. George’s principal, Christian Barkei, remains largely positive. “They’re not going to pull the plug on London as a place of international trade and finance immediately. However, there is an existing demand for an English curriculum which is only just beginning to be met by the Luxembourgish government.”

CONTINUAL OPENINGS When it comes to current space issues, Barkei insists that while their earlier year groups--of 3 and 4 year olds--are at full capacity, they still have spaces in assorted year groups. “We always suggest parents still come to us, because we will try our best to accommodate students.

They can also enrol mid-year if that’s required.” Nicki Crush of the ISL agrees that the change in demand will not happen overnight. While Barkei is of the opinion that the impact will be stronger in larger cities such as Paris or Frankfurt, Crush maintains that Luxembourg remains an interesting option for international companies. “It’s really a watching brief for all those involved,” she states. “All you can do is to keep an eye on the press and keep in touch with relocation services. In order to be prepared, parents should monitor the corporate world and be aware of changes, as we are.” According to Crush, international sections in national programmes will become more common as they June 2017

LIFESTYLE

SCHOOLS

CONTINUED

become more important, and in this respect it is likely that the English options will continue to grow as long as Luxembourg does. “The English schools work together to discuss the status quo and provide the best education. It’s an evolving process that requires a lot of work.” ISL has a yearly turnover of 200 pupils through their graduating classes. Short-term relocation is usually limited to a period of three to five years, which makes the current state of affairs fairly difficult to pin down. All schools see individual openings throughout the year, however the numbers are not regular enough to be reliable. Staying in touch with schools, keeping an eye out for government and press publications, and checking in with relocation services is all families can do to stay ahead of the game for the time being.

EUROPEAN SCHOOLS For its part, the European School of Luxembourg will continue adhering to its policy of prioritising children whose parents work either for European institutions or for specific companies in agreement with the school. “Of course everyone can apply, and we have opened our Anglo- and Francophone classes to more than our rules allow, which is already a special measure. Whether there will be more I cannot say,” Toula Vassilacou, its principal, comments on the school’s position. Luxembourg’s recent attempts at generating more opportunities have been warmly welcomed by the heads of the private schools. It is also towards the ministry of education that parents should turn with their questions, suggests Vassilacou. The popularity and global recognition of private schools is very appealing to parents, but with fees that are above some families’ budgets and places subject to prioritising, new public offers are paramount to the grand duchy’s future. One of these is the greatly anticipated European School of Differdange, a state school based on the European school programme. The curriculum offered here has been formally accredited by the Office of the Secretary-General of the European Schools in Brussels, allowing the school to formally be June 2017

LAYOUT D2

called a European school that prepares students for the European Baccalaureate. The only real difference is that all families can apply. “One of the most important qualities we wanted to keep from the traditional Luxembourgish school system is the strong emphasis on multilingualism,” asserts its principal, Gérard Zens. “The strict order of alphabetising children in German and going on to teach them in French just doesn’t work for everyone,” Zens adds. The European School in Differdange has an impressive focus on language, offering multiple possibilities: two languages during the primary school stint, a third at secondary school and in their fourth year of

secondary, students again have the possibility of adding another language to their skillset. Luxembourgish is obligatory, from the beginning of primary school to the third year of secondary school. The institution’s focus is on the country’s four national languages, which is a welcome sign of acceptance of the grand duchy’s multinational population.

OLDER STUDENTS “Reception” classes are accessible for older students in order to integrate them into the multilingual environment, although this process becomes more difficult the older students get. “We still accept children in their early teens [11-13 years old]

SYLVIE SCHMITVERBRUGGHEN Heightened certainty over school-enlargement plans would make Luxembourg more attractive to international employers

info@otrschool.lu

LIFESTYLE

SCHOOLS

CONTINUED

CHEAT SHEET Parents need to stay informed ahead of time as best they can, by keeping up to date with corporate moves and changes. The International School of Luxembourg, St. George’s School and the European School are the popular English curriculum schools for most expat families. The Athénée, Lycée Michel Lucius and International School in Differdange are the newest (and fast growing) state options. icon_info The requirements for each school can be found on www.men.lu. Go to “International schooling” then click on “English school offers in Luxembourg”.

who only speak one language, but after that age it becomes increasingly hard for them to join considering the level of languages instructed and expected of our students,” says Zens, “and even at the ages of 11-13, it’s a challenge. It means an extra year of education and a commitment to the cause on the part of the student.” The difficulty of accommodating expat children for just 3 to 5 years during their older years points to a wider problem. The European School and the Athénée are unable to accept pupils without a two-language minimum (testing at a certain level), which make the ISL, St. George’s and Lycée Michel Lucius the only options for some parents. What is interesting in the case of Differdange is the June 2017

NICKI CRUSH The grand duchy will give rival financial centres a run for their money, so the International School of Luxembourg is keeping tabs on corporate moves

French classes are under strain, not the English ones.

MORE INTEGRATION Luxembourg’s Lycée Michel Lucius will, in response to increasing demand, open a primary school in September 2017. This is a welcome extension of services for younger prospective students, especially as it allows them to pass through their entire schooling without disruption. Again, Luxembourgish lessons are obligatory, in an attempt to promote integration and raise cultural awareness, explains Daniel Redinger, English curriculum coordinator. It’s difficult to tell what the particular needs of the future will be, however being proactive in the face

of change is crucial to Luxembourg’s prospective plans. The general consensus is clear: the grand duchy’s development of English education prospects is gladly received and appreciated, however it is not yet enough to satisfy existing demand which will doubtlessly persist. The scope of these educational options is also not limited to primary and secondary schools, but to daycare, kindergarten and vocational training in English. “Luxembourg needs to gear itself up for the IT and technological revolution that is currently happening,” reckons Barkei. “We need appropriate technical high school graduates who can help develop those infrastructures.”

LIFESTYLE

INTERVIEW

Text by NATALIE GERHARDSTEIN

Photography by MAISON MODERNE

s e k a t n n y L on Tokyo ec ted as a 2018 Lynn Cosyn has been sel Luxembourg illustrator Luxembourg embassy in Tokyo. artist-in-residence by the

f you’ve seen the new city shopping map or Stroossemaart poster, you’re already familiar with Lynn Cosyn’s work, with her characters and buildings which are modern while also evoking a 1950s vibe. Now the Luxembourg illustrator and founder of Cosymore has new cause for celebration: she has been selected as a 2018 artist-inresidence in Tokyo. “I’ve always been fascinated with how objects, people and architecture are interrelated,” Lynn says. “I’m curious to see how being in Tokyo might influence my style.” Lynn is, in fact, a former architect herself who in 2015 launched her own DIY blog, the basis for what later became her own business. During her residency, which runs from 1 May to 30 June 2018, Lynn will live and illustrate in one of the refurbished studios at Youkobo Art Space, the name of which is a Japanese play on words, meaning studio (kobo) for “you” (meaning “play”). The programme has already welcomed around 200 international artists from 20 different countries, including Luxembourg graffiti artist Sumo, dancer and choreographer Jean-Guillaume Weis, and vibraphonist Pascal Schumacher, whose stay there inspired his album Left Tokyo Right. Although it’s over a year away, Lynn has already started her research: she wants to check out the park in the area and is scoping locations where she can absorb the daily life of Japan. She has also learned some Japanese basics, like how to say hello. Lynn has been to Asia before--in fact, it was her trip to southeast Asia that inspired her to take the leap to become a full-time illustrator--but this will be her first time in Japan. “I imagine Tokyo as a city of contrasts: on one hand, I think of this calm, Japanese culture, but it also seems like a fast-paced city,” she says. “I’m excited to meet new people and tell them about Luxembourg as well.” Read about the five illustrators who have inspired Lynn Cosyn: icon_website www.delano.lu/lifestyle June 2017

ART

buy well eat well

LIFESTYLE

EXPATS

Text by JESS BAULDRY

Photography by MIKE ZENARI

An Americanurg in Luxembo fanatic e to Luxembourg, cycle When he followed his wif t regardless how long he stayed, Mike McQuaide knew thangs he couldn’t live without. there were just some this he brought and what he left behind. He talks about the thing

“The Catch er in the R ye is the on book I can sa ly What I get fr y I’ve read multiple tim om es. th at book is a I thought, ho voice. write a book ly shit, you’re allowed to he’s just talk like that! He star ts off lik I shoot for w ing to me. That is wha e t hen I write.”

IN MY SUITECASE SUITCASE

MIKE MCQUAIDE Mike came to Luxembourg in February 2013 from Bellingham, Washington, where he worked as an outdoor recreational reporter for the Seattle Times. “My wife got a job here. We were up for a European adventure,” he says. A cycling fan, Mike previously knew about Luxembourg because of the Schleck brothers. “I think people like the story of these two brothers from tiny Luxembourg slaying the riders from all of the other countries.” He is known for his Facebook persona “An American in Luxembourg”, an account showing an American’s impression of Luxembourg, which he said he started to show friends in Bellingham what Europe was like. “Pretty soon it was mostly all Luxembourgers following it or a lot more Europeans than people from Bellingham. I’m sure they’ve forgotten about me.” June 2017

ths, here for six mon only going to be have two: I’m if en ev t “I though d I had to ke just ve my bikes an I still had to ha s, dirt and mud, and a road bi od wo n.” one for the fa avid road bike because I’m an

s w year aris a feind Skippy’s P o t t en ’t f t “ We w and couldn chy Peanu a jar before Chunk Crun o, I brought ’t last S Super any where. ourg. It didnf the r Butte e to Luxemb y the end o today. b with m was gone at it so much e it long-- ek. I don’t e nd] one in th e first w this [Jif bra I foundard.” cu p b o

“I don’t like co gaudy, tack wboy music but I love y cowboy sh an H Bar C irts. This is sh cards and a ir t with crescent pock lin e of pi ping. I only ets, brought on e To me they with me. ar I was wearin e cool in an ironic way the US as a g them in bike races in . jo a low-key bi ke, where there was ke scene.”

REGRET WHAT IG BEHIND LEAVIN

Illustration: Maison Moderne

“This is a po ski to sea raster for a race where ce; it ’s a relay th star ts skiing e first guy runner, who and passes to a a kayaker an passes to a biker, going on fo d so on. It ’s been r encapsulates 20 years and area has: m everything that ou rivers and, ntains, snow, fin That’s whe ally, the bay. re and it ’s very I come from much what I’m into.”

b as s itars and three gu en playing y m g in leav e be “I regret ge in the US. I’v ally was weird. in stora s 14 or 15. It re d goofing out a n . since I w ing a bike race a ut stupid songs o h r I like watc r, tr ying to figure ave me his guita ng uita on the g d, my friend’s so ht me one.” g n u e o e b th e if In and my w

June 2017

LIFESTYLE

FOOD & DRINKS

Text by NATALIE GERHARDSTEIN

Refreshing ginger beer Max + Moritz co-founder Frank Bernard shares the secret behind fresh ginger beer.

t’s not easy to find ginger beer in Luxembourg, but Frank Bernard of Max + Moritz says he enjoyed it during his university days in Munich so much that he wanted to recreate the flavour for their menu. “Our ginger beer drinks are some of our most popular, along with classics like Aperol spritzes and mojitos,” Frank says. “We use about six to eight litres of it per service.” Their cocktail menu includes a range of ginger beer drinks: from the Classic Moscow Mule, served in a traditional copper mug (see photo on right), to the Munich Mule and the Dark + Stormy, which uses rum to create a cloudy effect. The ginger beer is made fresh daily. Despite its name, ginger beer on its own doesn’t contain any alcohol. Frank says the ingredients are straightforward--fresh ginger juice, lime juice, simple sugar syrup and cold water. However, making the drink requires special equipment.

To get the carbonation, soda siphons (and chargers) are required. What’s more, ginger root is tough: getting juice from it requires a heavy-duty, commercial extractor. Most of the juices on the menu-including watermelon, pineapple and lemon juices--are made in-house to ensure freshness. Max + Moritz, which celebrated its oneyear anniversary this May, gets its name from the story, written and illustrated by Wilhelm Busch, about two rascals playing pranks. According to Frank, the name reminds him of him and his brother, who happens to be another co-founder. “[The name] is fun and memorable. It’s why on our restaurant menu you’ll find classics with our special twists, like wasabi mashed potatoes and Asian-style tagliata.”

icon_where 2-4 avenue du X Septembre, Luxembourg-Belair icon_facebook Max + Moritz

RASPBERRY BLASTER

For this recipe, Frank suggests using fresh lemon juice and raspberries. “This recipe is very easy: you can get the ingredients in any supermarket, and you don’t need any special equipment,” he says. “It’s the perfect summer drink, especially when the weather is good.” INGREDIENTS – 5cl vodka – 2.5cl fresh lemon juice – 2cl sugar syrup – 5 fresh raspberries – soda water

June 2017

METHOD 1. Add four raspberries to a cocktail glass with the lemon juice and sugar syrup. 2. Muddle gently. 3. Fill the cocktail glass with ice, then add the vodka. 4. Top with soda water, then stir the cocktail with a bar spoon. 5. Garnish with a raspberry, a lemon wedge and a small spoon. For an alcohol-free version: Simply omit the vodka, and increase the sugar syrup and lemon juice to 2.5cl and 3cl, respectively. Use more soda water according to taste. Cheers!

Mike Zenari

Summer in a glass

Max + Moritz’s Frank Bernard shares a simple recipe anyone can try at home. Try the original or alcohol-free version.

The wines section

New centre celebrates cider Works are underway in Born to convert a 1757 farm into a centre celebrating Luxembourg cider and apple varieties.

Lala La Photo Maison Moderne

cheduled for inauguration on 16 June, the new Ramborn Cider Haff will be what CEO Carlo Hein calls a “community sharing experience”, where visitors will be able to see the artisanal side of craft cider making firsthand. “From the beginning when we decided to make cider, our goal was to have our own farm where we could innovate and make the best possible cider, and the only way to do that was to have our own facilities,” Hein says. In addition to having their own small batch productions on site, the Ramborn Cider Haff will be a place where visitors can learn more about perry, cider and other apple products, as well as more about Luxembourg apple varieties and the craft more generally. The 1,000m2 Haff (Luxembourgish for “farm”), currently being renovated, incorporates local materials, such as sandstone. It’s located near the Sauer River in Born, where Hein has lived his entire life. “It’s next to the old orchards with trees that are over 100 years. You can’t help but feel a deep respect there.”

It’s exactly this appreciation for Luxembourg apples that Hein wants to extend to visitors. In the centre’s main room will be the “apple island” lounge area, meant to resemble an orchard--with special flooring that mimics grass--where visitors can sit on comfy chairs and leaf through apple-related books. There will also be a screening area where visitors can watch a film about the company, cider making, and the history of apples in Luxembourg, which dates back over 2,000 years. By next year, Ramborn anticipates having their own bottling line, with a lab for testing juice, fermentation, acidity, and so on. But the new centre isn’t the only reason Ramborn is celebrating: on 26 April, they were awarded a bronze medal in the open apple class for their Original Medium Dry Cider at the International Cider Awards in London, competing in a pool of 187 breweries and 53 cider mills from over 50 countries. icon_where 23 Duerfstrooss, Born icon_when Wed-Sat, 14:00-18:00; or by appointment icon_ticket Guided tour (by reservation): €12.50 per person, or €8 per person for group of 8 or more

WINE, TASTE, ENJOY Over Pentecost weekend, various wine cellars and distilleries along the Moselle River valley will open their doors to the public for guided visits, music and more. A full programme-including the free shuttle bus schedule--is available online. icon_where In nearly 40 locations between Grevenmacher & Schengen icon_when 3-5 June, 11:00-20:00 icon_website www.visitmoselle.lu EXPATS ONLY Luxembourg vineyards stretch 42km from Schengen to Wasserbillig. Join Les Caves Gales and Paperjam Club, as they team up for a tasting for expats to learn more about the nine grape varieties to which local wines owe their name, including Elbling, Rivaner and more. icon_where Ketterthill, 8 avenue du Swing, Belvaux icon_when 8 June, 18:30-21:30 icon_website club.paperjam.lu NEW FROM SOUTH AFRICA Taste of Africa introduces new wineries in its portfolio, such as Spier from Stellenbosch and Storm Wines from the Hemel-enAarde valley. Other classics will be open for tasting as well. Explanations are available in English. Participation is free, and no registration is required. icon_where Taste of Africa, 49 rue de Contern, Moutfort icon_when 9 June, 16:00-21:00 icon_mail info@taste-of-africa.eu

June 2017

LIFESTYLE

ART

Text by JESS BAULDRY

Photography by MIKE ZENARI

Legends of the saddle

ourg this summer, passage through Luxemb e’s nc Fra of tours past. de ur To the To mark ition celebrating legends hib ex an sts ho on aff UK artist James Str

rtist James Straffon was 40 when he got his first bike. That may not be so unusual until you see his recent works, huge portraits of legendary cyclists from the Tour de France. “I never had a bike as a child. Because I’m an artist and graphic designer, I started exploring the merchandise of cycling: the caps and graphic design of it all,” Straffon tells Delano. The artist’s fascination with cycling heritage came in part thanks to collaborations with fashion brand owner Paul Smith, one of Straffon’s earliest supporters, who allowed him to exhibit work in a store. “Paul Smith was going to be a professional cyclist until he had an accident… He kept in touch with British cyclists,” Straffon says, explaining that British cyclist David Millar had a book event at one of Smith’s stores. The artist began looking into the riders who competed in the tour since its first edition in July 1903. “It was the stories of their exploits on and off the bike that interested me,” he says. From the many offbeat characters, Straffon has selected a handful and created portraits on large canvases using mixed media with collage material from original magazines and newspapers. Among them are 1938 and 1948 tour winner Gino Bartali, nicknamed “Gino the Pious”. During WWII, he used his fame to carry messages and documents to the Italian Resistance by bike while on training runs. “When he arrived at his destination, he would take his bike apart and it would be full of forged documents to get Jews to safety.” Bartali also used his position to learn about raids on safehouses where persecuted Jews were hiding. He meanwhile hid a Jewish family in the cellar of his own house. “During training runs he was saving lives, which was quite incredible,” says Straffon, adding: “I’ve not only chosen tour winners.” June 2017

Other characters include Fausto, “The Heron”, who was famously blessed by the Pope but also known for taking “la Bomba”, an early form of doping. “The lengths these people went to achieve these things and gain notoriety in their countries!” The early days of the Tour de France are equally absorbing. Founded in 1903 by editor of L’Auto, Henri Desgrange, to boost circulation of his newspaper, the first sixstage race was fraught with tree-fellings and beatings as people stopped at nothing to ensure their favourite rider won. The winner of the inaugural edition, Maurice Garin (known as the chimney sweep), was stripped of his title in the second edition and banned for two years. Race organisers did not say what he had done and records were later lost, but it is alleged that Garin took a train. To bring the stories off the canvas and create a connection with Luxembourg, the artist has written a short fable-like story narrated by Luxembourg writer Michel Rodange’s eponymous fox character. “What’s lovely is that cyclists, over the years, acquired nicknames and a lot of them are animalistic such as the ‘Eagle of Toledo’ (Federico Martín Bahamontes), ‘Federico the Heron’, ‘The Badger’ (Bernard Hinault), and ‘The Lion King’ (Mario Cipollini),” says Straffon, adding: “This gives the work a narrative and it’s also good for kids. I think it’s important to make it accessible.” The exhibition will not be the first time that Straffon has explored the Tour de France in his work or Luxembourg, for that matter. An earlier body of work, Le Tour, was created to celebrate the centenary of the famous race. Straffon also created an art work featuring Luxembourg legend Charly Gaul, “The Angel of the Mountains”, who won the race in 1958. “I came here in January and had the chance to meet his daughter, it was nice. Sometimes you can join things up.”

And he met recently retired Luxembourg cyclist Andy Schleck, who won the 2010 Tour de France.

SEE STRAFFON’S WORK IN LUXEMBOURG Around 30 enormous portrait stencils of riders with their nicknames underneath will be exhibited as street art in public places in 20 communes on the tour route through-out Luxembourg. Meanwhile, 12 mixed media portraits will be exhibited at the British ambassador’s official residence (where Straffon is pictured here), more information on which will be available in June.

LAYOUT A

WATCH THE TOUR See the Tour de France in Luxembourg on 3 July, through Wemperhardt, Wiltz, Mamer and Esch-sur-Alzette. On 4 July, it will start in Mondorf-les-Bains, travelling to Schengen before entering France. icon_website www.letour.fr

LUXEMBOURG AND THE TOUR Luxembourg cyclists have won the tour title five times. Winners include François Faber (1909), Nicolas Frantz (1927 and 1928), Charly Gaul (1958) and Andy Schleck (2010).

WHEN THE FOX MET THE ROOSTER Straffon’s short story features the fox character from Michel Rodange’s story meeting the various legends from the tour. The full version can be read on the artist’s website. icon_website www.james-straffon.co.uk

June 2017

LIFESTYLE

PETS & ANIMALS

Text by ALIX RASSEL

Photography by MIKE ZENARI

Caring for iends our ‘best’ fr

, try full of animal loversanimal. size, it is certainly a coun all in sm all er sm oth be an y or ma cat rg a ou , be it a dog, Whilst Luxemb y one pet per household with an average of nearl

lthough there are no official statistics, the Luxembourg Association of Veterinarians for Pets (LAK) has estimated that around 35,000 dogs live in the grand duchy. So if you have a pet, and particularly a dog or cat, what do you need to know about pet healthcare in Luxembourg? There are several mandatory rules regarding pets (especially the requirement to register dogs at your town hall) in the grand duchy, but the general healthcare and wellbeing of pets and companion animals are the responsibility of their owner. “When acquiring a new pet, it is essential that the breeder or shelter is forthcoming with information on health issues or genetic information that relate to the particular breed,” explains Dr. Olivia Schoenfeld from Vetathome. “The animal’s contextual and medical history is of paramount importance when choosing the individual you will share your lives with.” A famous case in point would be Barack Obama’s decision to choose Bo, a Portuguese water dog, to live at the White House. That is a breed which does not shed much hair and is less aggravating to people with allergies, like his daughter, Malia. “In order to ensure your pet is at optimal health, it is important that it receives all the necessary and pertinent preventative therapies,” adds Dr. Schoenfeld. “Ensuring their vaccinations are kept up-to-date and that they have yearly examinations and blood work when necessary would be my own recommendation.”

PLANNING AHEAD Grooming your pet may appear as more of a luxury than a necessity, but Nicky Caverhill from Moien Mupp knows firsthand how important correct cleaning can be. “With the lifestyle that our pets live these days, pollutants can become trapped under the animal’s skin affecting the natural oils and the condition of their coats,” she says. “Regular grooming prevents this build up and reduces knotting and mats in the coat which can leave your pet feeling uncomfortable and even a little grumpy.” Inevitably pets, just like humans, do get sick and depending on the illness, veterinary bills can mount up to the hundreds or thousands. Whilst pet insurance is commonplace in the UK and US, it is still relatively new in the grand duchy. “Axa is the only company in Luxembourg offering extended protection and insurance coverage for pets either directly or through our broker Gras Savoye,” states Nathalie Hanck, head of

June 2017

PREVENTIVE PLANS A. Olivia Schoenfeld: the Englishspeaking vet recommends looking into a pet health insurance policy B. Nicky Caverhill: keeping your dog well-groomed helps eliminate pollutants trapped under their coat

RESOURCES B

communications at the insurer. “Our comprehensive cover includes veterinary costs following an accident or sickness, vaccines, sterilisation and additional services.” “Many people underestimate the need for health insurance,” says Schoenfeld. “However, when their pet becomes ill and costs mount up, they become acutely aware of the necessity. Like all insurance, we may never use it, but it’s good to know it’s there.” As with all types of insurance policies, there are general conditions that must be met, with older dogs and cats excluded from any coverage. Nonetheless, Schoenfeld believes that if people were made aware of their options, there would be a much greater demand in Luxembourg.

ARTHRITIC CARE Holistic healthcare, once deemed solely for the treatment of humans, is also gaining popularity with pet owners. Nathalie Janssen, owner of Fitdog, provides physical therapy services for pets, including hydrotherapy, massage, electrical stimulation and kinesiology taping. “Physical therapy can be beneficial to all dogs,” she says. “However, the majority of my clients are postoperative or elderly dogs with arthritis.” Typically in Luxembourg a veterinarian will not prescribe physical therapy to a pet after surgery, as they would if it were a human patient, but the treatment is just as beneficial. “If a dog has had a

fracture or a hip problem, physical therapy can aid their recovery exponentially,” Janssen adds. “It can prevent the pet from becoming lame or overcompensating with the use of a stronger arm or leg, leading to other problems down the line.” She uses a variety of treatments, dependent on the pets’ ailments, but massage and hydrotherapy are the most common, particularly for arthritic dogs. Theresa Miceli, an independent animal acupuncturist who often works at Fitdog, has also witnessed the benefits holistic treatments can have on her patients. “I have dogs that are in so much arthritic pain that they cannot sleep, nor can their owners,” she states. Acupuncture confuses the neurological pathway from the brain to the joint and can give the pet some much needed relief. “I’ve seen dogs that were just frantic with pain completely relax and fall asleep just by inserting one needle into their back, it’s such a sense of contentment for both me and the dog.”

“ I HAVE DOGS THAT ARE IN SO MUCH ARTHRITIC PAIN THAT THEY CANNOT SLEEP, NOR CAN THEIR OWNERS.”

CANINE RULES Instructions on registering your dog, in French icon_info Search for “Faire identifier et déclarer un chien” on www.guichet.lu LUXEMBOURG ASSOCIATION OF VETERINARIANS FOR PETS (LAK) Has a list of certified vets, including those on duty for emergencies, in French and German icon_website www.lak.lu

GET IN TOUCH FITDOG Animal rehab centre and animal acupuncture icon_mail info@fitdog.lu GRAS SAVOYE Insurance broker selling pet plans icon_website www.grassavoye.lu MOIEN MUPP English-speaking dog care icon_facebook Moien Mupp VETATHOME English-speaking vet icon_twitter @vetathome

THERESA MICELI

June 2017

LIFESTYLE

ON STAGE

Text by JESS BAULDRY

14 shows you must see JAKE BUGG Indie folk English musician, singer and songwriter Jake Bugg has remained a staple on the indie folk scene since the 2012 release of his self-titled album, partly co-written with Iain Archer. His third album On My One was released in June 2016 and though it received mixed reviews, he will surely pepper this concert with material from his first two albums. icon_when 7 June icon_where Den Atelier icon_website www.atelier.lu

ECHTERNACH INT’L FESTIVAL Classical & jazz The 2017 festival kicks off on 9 June with British violinist Daniel Hope as artist-in-residence. He is joined by a host of international artists performing indoor and outdoor classical and jazz concerts at a number of venues. Other highlights include soprano Mojca Erdmann playing with delian::quartett and the National Jazz Orchestra performing with Morgane Ji. icon_when 9 June-14 July icon_where Various venues icon_website www.echternachfestival.lu

OUT IN AFRICA Solo play A cross between William Golding’s Lord of the Flies and Slawomir Mzorek’s Out at Sea, this world premier portrays the story of four German tourists captured by Islamist rebels in an unnamed African country. The macabre events are retold and enacted with both horror and sharp humour by a survivor, German lawyer Heiner Kochesser, played by Steve Karier. icon_when 9, 21, 27, 28 June, 3 July icon_where Théâtre National de Luxembourg icon_website www.tnl.lu

ELTON JOHN Wonderful crazy night The legendary Elton John and his band perform in Luxembourg for the third time as part of the Coque leisure centre’s 15th anniversary celebrations. He and his band will offer up familiar well-loved hits from his five-decade career, as well as songs from his recently-released 33rd studio album Wonderful Crazy Night.

GOGOL BORDELLO Gypsy punk This raucous American gypsy punk band from the lower east side of Manhattan are known for their energetic and theatrical shows which they tour tirelessly. Their flamboyant songs combine punk and dub and incorporate accordion and violin and include catchy numbers such as ‘Start Wearing Purple’, which is featured in the film Everything is Illuminated.

BREAKIN’ CONVENTION Hip-hop spectacular The world’s biggest festival of hip-hop dance theatre from Sadler’s Wells returns to Luxembourg for a second edition. This event offers a rare chance to see emerging hip-hop artists at Luxembourg’s Grand Théâtre, where visitors can participate in workshops, rub shoulders with dancers, graffiti artists, DJs and more, and generally find their groove.

KATE TEMPEST Rap slam Urban poet, musician and cultural figurehead Kate Tempest’s latest release, Let Them Eat Chaos, is styled as a series of vignettes about seven different people on the street. The album refines her previous work and replaces them with haunting, juddering synth lines, and big, sloppy bass sounds. More than rap, Tempest’s lyrics are pure poetry.

icon_when 13 June icon_where d’Coque leisure centre icon_website www.coque.lu

icon_when 14 June icon_where Den Atelier icon_website www.atelier.lu

icon_when 17-18 June icon_where Grand Théâtre icon_website www.breakinconvention.com

icon_when 18 June icon_where Den Atelier icon_website www.atelier.lu

June 2017

Jake Bugg Harald Hoffmann Bohumil Kostohryz Andrew Potter Gogol Bordello Paul Hampartsoumian Eddie Otchere

world of hip -hop, rap, With major ac ts from thecal, plus plenty of theatrical indie folk, jazz and classis, June promises a top -notch and dance performancembourg. varied line-up for Luxe

Rockhal Gadi Dagon Bohumil Kostohryz Den Atelier Malin Johansson Rodrigo y Gabriela Paul Matzet

KIEFER SUTHERLAND Diary of an actor Most will remember him as Jack Bauer in the addictive drama 24, but Sutherland proves he is much more than just an actor as he tours to Luxembourg with his 2016 debut country album Down In A Hole. Described by Sutherland as like a diary of his life, the album has been greeted positively, for the songs’ “roughedged beauty”, “dwelling in the past like a drunkard in the gutter.” icon_when 18 June icon_where Rockhal icon_website www.rockhal.lu

LAST WORK Breathtaking dance Devotees of Naharin’s revolutionary approach to choreography will lap up the exhilarating range of movement displayed by Naharin and 18 Batsheva Dance Company performers. Their visceral energy channels joy, pleasure, pain and madness through physical expression, tapping into the emotional spectrum. The New York Times described the piece as “breathtaking”. icon_when 20 June icon_where Grand Théâtre icon_website www.theatres.lu

WILTZ FESTIVAL Multi-genre culture fest Flamenco dancing, a dinner concert, opera, acrobatic performances and music spanning multiple genres await visitors to the 65th festival of Wiltz, kicking off on 28 June with Danish singer-songwriter Agnes Obel. The last show is a festival within a festival featuring José González (pictured), Dillon, Monophona and Joy Wellboy.

RODRIGO Y GABRIELA Acoustic guitar duo The Mexican duo celebrate the tenth anniversary of their selftitled album by taking their hits on tour. Rodrigo y Gabriela was released in 2006 and topped the charts ahead of Johnny Cash and the Arctic Monkeys. Produced by the two artists with John Leckie, of Radiohead and The Stone Roses fame, the album has sold over 750,000 copies worldwide.

icon_when 28 June-23 July icon_where Amphitheatre, 1 rue du Château icon_website www.festivalwiltz.lu

icon_when 2 July icon_where Rockhal icon_website www.rockhal.lu

LETTERS FROM LUXEMBOURG Refugees write home Luxembourg artists including Serge Tonnar and Sylvia Camarda worked with a group of refugees to devise this touching play based on actual letters written home by refugees. The piece explores the souldestroying bureaucracy of the asylum system, as well as the empowering real stories of displaced people. icon_when 22-28 June icon_where Carré, Luxembourg-Hollerich icon_website www.maskenada.lu

SIREN’S CALL 3-venue music festival Den Atelier replaces Rock-AField with one-day music and cultural festival Siren’s Call whose line-up includes Oscar & The Wolf (pictured), James Vincent McMorrow, RY X, Ásgeir and Francesco Tristano, among others. In addition to the musical line-up there will be exhibitions and initiatives in the Siren’s Garden and a food village. icon_when 24 June icon_where Neimënster Abbey, St. Jean Church and Melusina icon_website www.sirenscall.lu

KOLL AN AKTIOUN Mining for culture Pitched as a festival for all the family, Koll an Aktioun returns to the former slate mine in Haut-Martelange in June with a jam-packed line-up of music, comedy, stands and historical discovery. Food and drink will be served on-site, and don’t miss the famous vegan lunch on Sunday. Tickets cost €10 per day, while under 16s go free. icon_when 3-4 June icon_where Slate museum, Haut-Martelange icon_website www.kollanaktioun.lu

June 2017

s n e e t r o f f f u t s Fun g r u o b m e x u L in LIFESTYLE

KIDS

Text by JESS BAULDRY

IRISH MUSIC SUMMER SCHOOL Young people will have a chance to try step dancing, learn traditional Irish songs and the tin whistle and to participate in drama workshops covering Irish mythology and legends at the next Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Luxembourg Irish Music Summer School. The school runs from 31 July to 4 August, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and is offered to children of primary school age and teenagers. As an extension of their summer school, this year Comhaltas is also offering step dancing and tin whistle classes in the evening for adults and young people over the same period from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The summer school is taught in English, but is open to young people from all cultures and backgrounds. Participation costs €100 for the summer school and €50 (€40 for members) for the series of evening classes. icon_where JEC, 23 avenue Gaston Diderich, Luxembourg-Belair icon_website www.comhaltas.lu

SKILZ DJ ACADEMY Learn to mix music like a professional DJ or master the art of music production with experts at the Skilz holiday summer schools held at the studio in 10 rue du Puits, Bonnevoie. Aimed at 14-to 99-year-olds, all equipment is provided by organisers.

ZALTIMBANQ CIRCUS SCHOOL Luxembourg’s high-flying circus school teaches a range of skills to help young people work on their motor skills and learn to work with others within a creative environment. Holiday courses are available in Limpertsberg and Mersch.

icon_website www.skilzdjacademy.com

icon_website www.zaltimbanq.lu

June 2017

SKATE PARK Escape the world of homework, school and chores and head for one of Luxembourg’s many skate parks. Whether you prefer the outdoor Pétrusse park, or want to head indoors to the graffiti-daubed park in Hollerich or the Belval plaza park, there is space for skaters of all levels in Luxembourg. icon_website www.skatepark.lu

KANNER JUGEND TELEFON KJT has an English service answering young people’s questions or giving advice on problems they may encounter, be it with parents, friends or otherwise. People can phone or write in strictest confidence. icon_website www.kjt.lu icon_phone 116 111 ON STÉITSCH If you have a teenager who likes performing, then sign them up for this teen talent show hosted at the Rotondes in Bonnevoie on 30 September. From 2 p.m. to midnight, young people can sing, dance, act or do what they like onstage. icon_website www.onsteitsch.lu BABYSITTING.LU Wannabe babysitters can find out more about training and, at the same time, they can register their services on the online tool used by parents seeking a babysitter. icon_website www.babysitting.lu YOUTH.LU This site contains all you need to know about what’s happening for young people including competitions, training, youth clubs and work experience in Luxembourg. There is even a section dedicated to summer camps. icon_website www.youth.lu

Zaltimbanq Zirkus Luxembourg Maison Moderne

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LIFESTYLE

THE BACK PAGE

Never-ending roadworks

Luxembourg lumnist on every thing inan coast co e vic ad o’s lan De , Belgi This month s on parking metres, the answers reader question ng. and what Kate was weari

Dear Auntie Eleanor, I moved to Luxembourg three years ago. It seems that not a day has passed where I have not been slowed by roadworks. What’s more, it seems as soon as they finish one road, they dig it up again. Who pays for this and will it ever end?--Jim in Bertrange Gentle reader, I imagine you are referring to the ambitious fibre optics network being laid by the Post around the country. You are not alone in your frustration. Where I live, construction workers sent me on a merry 500-metre detour to get home on foot. My feet are still burning! That may answer your first question--workers and residents pay dearly through the inconvenience and bunions the works impose on them. Financially, though, Post pays the bill. According to Post, depending on where you live or work, works could continue until the end of 2020 or longer if the weather is inclement--heaven forbid! Be consoled by the fact that once the cables are laid, your internet will be so fast, you need never leave your home again. Dear Auntie Eleanor, if I take my car into town, it never fails: I never have any pocket change. But at some of the parking meters, I can’t get my credit card into the slot. It seems blocked. What gives? --Rainer in Grevenmacher Gentle reader, while I would certainly be remiss to say you should try public transport, of June 2017

AUNTIE ELEANOR

course I understand that some times driving your car simply cannot be avoided. I checked with my friends at the Ville de Luxembourg who informed me that as of 1 November 2011, the “MiniCash” payment system was abolished. This means that the approximately 350 parking meters located in “hyper centre” areas (the city centre, near the central station and Kirchberg) and in industrial areas are equipped to accept payments by Visa and MasterCard, but that meters in residential districts only accept cash payments. Instead of replacing the machines, the city adopted a more economical approach: screws were placed inside these meters to prevent the insertion of bank cards.

There aren’t currently plans underway to replace them, given that the meters have a lifespan of about 20 years. Dear Auntie Eleanor, I have heard that the Belgian coast is very popular with Luxem bourgers for weekend trips. I would like to see what all the fuss is about. But I have also heard that the “Blanken berge Express” was cancelled this year. What’s the best way to get there, and which destinations are worth seeing?--Bert in Belair Gentle reader, the “Belge plage” conjures up indeed images of escape, sand, wind and good food in the minds of

Luxembourgers. Almost all have childhood memories of spending their holidays there. Serge Tonnar and Legotrip encapsulate that need for escape in their song ‘Belsch Plaasch’; google it on Youtube. People usually drive (it takes around four hours), but you can also take the train to Ostend, or change in Bruges to go to Blankenberge. Other popular destinations include Knokke (more of a chic destination) and De Panne. Just don’t forget to take the windbreaker jacket, my dear! Dear Auntie Eleanor, as you can’t have failed to notice, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, was in Luxembourg. I was of course very excited to see what she would wear! Her baby blue ensemble was a hit. However, the day after, I noticed that the Luxem bourg media variously described it as a coat dress, a dress or a coat. What is the correct fashion term? --Linda in Christnach Gentle reader, I must admit that I was in the crowd welcoming the Duchess of Cambridge, so I was lucky enough to see the wonderful garment up close. Kate has almost the exact same model in racing green, and the cut really suits her to a T. What I like about it are the hemlines (proper--just on the knee) and the flattering cut which accentuates her femininity. Oh, look at me gushing like a teenager. Back to the question: you are indeed not the only one who is confused about this dress-coat combo. Emilia Wickstead, a designer favoured by the duchess, created this piece, and it is indeed called a coat dress. Every woman should have one.

SEND IN YOUR QUESTION Want to know something about Luxembourg? Contact Auntie Eleanor via AuntieEleanor@delano.lu. Please indicate if Delano can publish your name or if you wish to remain anonymous.

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