THINK LOCAL: EUGEN ODERMATT
Swiss
“IT’S A QUESTION OF KINDNESS” EUGEN ODERMATT: learning Luxembourgish sends a strong signal
Eugen Odermatt is owner of the Classicmania music store in Limpertsberg. He grew up in Nidwalen canton, in the centre of Switzerland, worked and travelled all across Europe as a singer, and lived in Zurich for 20 years before settling in the Grand Duchy in 2005. AG: What brought to you to Luxembourg? EO: In the summer of 2004, I met the former owner [of Classicmania]. It was really interesting to meet her. Then in January 2005 I got an email that she had to speak with me. I had no idea why, because we never discussed her retiring from the shop. She made an offer to me. It was a surprise. But I had studied cultural management [along with music], so I said “why not?” I’ve been together with a Luxembourger for many years. This was, as well, a chance to change our life, to live together again. Because you know, a long distance partnership is difficult. AG: You were a frequent visitor to the Grand Duchy before moving here. What changes have you seen? EO: It’s incredible what’s happened here culturally in the last 20 years. I can say, the first time I was in Luxembourg, it was a dirty country, the deepest province. Cultural life was... lazy. Today the offer you have here is like the offer of a
Resident since the year Luxembourg last held the EU presidency, Eugen Odermatt gives his insight into living and working in the Grand Duchy. Interview: Aaron Grunwald — Photo: David Laurent/Wide
big town. The quality is incredible. I never would have believed it would have been possible to see such a change. Twenty years ago I said, “I’ll never live in Luxembourg, never in my life!” AG: What was the biggest surprise when you moved here? EO: Zurich is really a busier city than Luxembourg. On a scale of one to ten, I would say Zurich is an eight and Luxembourg is a five. Both have a really international community, that’s about the same. But here in Luxembourg the people are closer. They are interested in others. Zurich and Frankfurt, they’re cold towns. My experience here in Luxembourg is that if you are open, the Luxembourgish people and the inhabitants here are open as well. They are really kind. AG: Is it difficult to run a small business if you are not a native? EO: I don’t think so. I would say the general problem of Luxembourg is that you need a lot of authorisations. I don’t know why. In Switzerland, it works quite well without. If you have a business, you need to take responsibility and you have to respect the law. That’s all. For banks, insurance, medicine, those are special. It’s important. But generally I would say for commerce, it shouldn’t be absolutely necessary that you need an authorisation.
AG: What differences in business do you see? EO: Here if you do a good job, if you’re kind with people, you’ll get a lot of respect and a good return on investment. In Switzerland or in Germany, if you sell something normally you get payment within 30 to 60 days. In Luxembourg, it’s very, very quick. No discussion. The people are ready to pay a good price for good work, for a good offer. They’re still really quite correct people. That makes it nice to live and work together. AG: What advice would you give to newcomers? EO: Try to participate in life, engage with clubs. If you like to sing, join the choir. Or go to a sports club. In my opinion that’s the general way to integrate everywhere in the world. This is definitely easier to do here in Luxembourg than in my country. The clubs [in Switzerland] are not so open to foreigners. It would not be a mistake to try to learn Luxembourgish. AG: How is your Luxembourgish? EO: It’s not so difficult for a German speaking Swiss to learn. If you’re able to speak one German dialect then you have a good opportunity to learn another. [Mine is] not perfect, never [will be]. It’s a question of kindness as well. It’s a really strong signal that you are interested in the place where you live.
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08.06.2011 15:17:43 Uhr