Luxembourgish traditions 1
Liichtmëssdag (Candlemas)
This celebration takes place every year on February 2nd. The children go from house to house in the village, ringing doorbells and singing “Léiwer Härgottsblieschen”. In return, people give out sweets, nuts or fruit as a thank you. Most of the children carry a lantern with them.
Buergbrennen
At the end of February or in early March, a huge pile of wood and straw is stacked in the shape of a cross or a tower in many villages. After dusk, the whole structure is set on fire.
Tradition says that the fire chases away winter and welcomes spring with its warmer temperatures. In the municipality, two “Buergbrennen” are held: one in Fentange and one in Itzig.
Bretzelsonndeg (Mid-Lent Sunday) and Easter Sunday
On “Bretzelsonndeg”, the man gives a pretzel to his beloved as a sign of love.
Three weeks later, on Easter Sunday, the woman gives an Easter egg back to her sweetheart. When the love isn't mutual, the man receives an empty basket.
Hesperange is known as a stronghold of carnival celebrations. Since the second half of the 20th century, carnival-goers from across the country have gone to Hesperange to attend famous balls like the “Formidabel”, “Hesper am Damp” or the “Altweiberbal”.
While carnival was once celebrated in many village cafés, it is now mostly held in a large hall.
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