Exploring Luxembourgian Culture

This assignment delves into various aspects of Luxembourgian culture. It covers historical events like the country's independence and its unique founding myth involving Mélusine. The analysis extends to language (Luxembourgish, French, German), traditional clothing styles, culinary preferences (meat pies, liver dumplings, quetsch tarts), and popular sporting activities. The assignment aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Luxembourg as a distinct cultural entity.

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LUXEMBOURG
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Luxembourg History
The official name of Luxembourg is “The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.” Citizens
residing within the country are referred to as “Luxembourgers.” Any products or material from
within the country is denominated as “Luxembourgish.” The official language is
“Luxembourgish.” Luxembourg has one of the highest GDP per capita in the world ($99,000);
thus, they are one of the most advanced economies in the world - even surpassing the United
States. Luxembourg is a highly small nation, with a total populace of around 570,000-
significantly reduced as compared to other advanced economies (United States).
General history
However, they do have a high growth rate to compensate. Majority of Luxembourg’s
inhabitants resides within 25-54 years of age. The society is known as one of the greatest urban
society in the sphere as well, with a 90-10% city to countryside proportion. Luxembourger and
other significant groups are the Portuguese and the “Other” category. They practice the religion
known as Roman Catholicism. Luxembourg got independence from the Netherlands in the year
1839. They have a type of government known as a “constitutional monarchy.” Their present head
of state is Grand Duke Henri. The official currency of Luxembourg is the euro.
Geologically, people of Luxembourg have a populace density of 475 and a surface area
of 2.586 square kilometres. Luxembourg shares borders with Belgium, France, and Germany and
they are completely landlocked. The country has a GDP of $57.42 billion, which grows at an
annual rate of 4.5%. Their gross domestic product comprises of services, with most of the people
in their labor force employed in the service industry. Additionally, Luxembourg is a donor when
it comes to economic aid. A reason why Luxembourg advanced is because of its communications

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and technology business. There are six daily newspapers within the said industry. There are 635
PCs per 100 people, showing that the use of technology is widely common within the country.
Also, there are around 555,000 internet users as well as 250,900 internet service providers.
Creation of the Country Myth
According to legend, Sigefroid, founder of Luxembourg's capital, wedded a lady by the
name Mélusine. What he didn't have an idea about is that she was truly a mermaid. After he
discovered, she vanished into the city stone walls. It is said that she stays there still. Like
clockwork, she returns, either as a lovely lady or as a serpent with a brilliant key in its mouth. As
indicated by convention, she could be liberated if the lady were kissed or the key expelled from
the snake's mouth. Be that as it may, nobody has ever achieved either accomplishment. Mélusine
is likewise said to weave an ever-incomplete piece of clothing, finishing one fasten each year. It
is said that on the off chance that she ends it before she is liberated from the divider, all of
Luxembourg will vanish into the stone with her.
Culture
Food
The cooking of Luxembourg joins French advancement and German plenitude. Generous
hungers and substantial segments are the standard (Everyculture.com, 2017). Most loved dishes
incorporate, meat pies, liver dumplings (quenelles de foie de veau), Ardennes ham, with minced-
pork filling (fleeschtaart), and rabbit served in a thick sauce (civet de lièvre). The country is
known for its delectable baked goods. Plum tarts known as quetsch are an occasional treat in the

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month of September. A sort of cake called les penseés brouillées is customarily eaten on Shrove
Tuesday (the day preceding Lent starts, in February).
Language
Luxembourg has three official dialects: German, French, and Letzebürgesch, a national
vernacular. Letzebürgesch, which depends on French and, German is the primary dialect of all
Luxembourgers. The language is found out in youth and talked at home. Germans, who are
educated in elementary school, is the dialect of business people and the media. French is the
dialect of government. Notwithstanding their local dialects, numerous Luxembourgers
additionally communicate in English.
Clothing
The general population of Luxembourg wear present day Western-style apparel.
Luxembourgers are impacted by form slants in neighbouring France and Germany, and by Italian
moulds also. (Everyculture.com, 2017). Ladies often wear skirts and dresses more frequently
than slacks, and men support caps. In broad daylight, Luxembourgers are dependably correctly
and precisely trimmed. Old, worn apparel is saved for at-home wear and donning exercises.
Sport
Unlike in most nations in Europe, clothes in Luxembourg are not concentrated upon a
specific national game, but rather envelops various games, both groups and people. In spite of
the absence of a focal wearing concentration, more than 100,000 individuals in Luxembourg,
which has an aggregate populace of just 460,000, are authorized individuals from some games
organization (Everyculture.com, 2017).

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References
Everyculture.com. (2017). Luxembourgers - Introduction, Location, Language, Folklore,
Religion, Major holidays, Rites of passage. [online] Available at:
http://www.everyculture.com/wc/Japan-to-Mali/Luxembourgers.html [Accessed 3 Oct. 2017].
Goldstein, D., Merkle, K., Parasecoli, F., & Mennell, S. (2005). Culinary cultures of Europe:
identity, diversity and dialogue. Strasbourg [France], Council of Europe Pub.
Michelin Travel Publications (Firm). (2004). Belgium, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Watford,
Herts [England], Michelin Travel Publications.
Péporté, P., Kmec, S., Majerus, B., & Margue, M. (2010). Inventing Luxembourg
representations of the past, space and language from the nineteenth to the twenty-first century.
Leiden, Brill.