Delano February 2017

# 49 2017 F E B R UARY

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

DIPLOM A T VACAN IC CY

The to ne during set by forme contras his brief tenur US ambass ad t r tipped to the new Ame could hard or David Mc ly K to be th e new Uerican presidestand in mor ean e n S amba ssador t or the man to the E U.

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f Theodore Roosevelt Malloch becomes The former ambassador to Luxembourg, the next US ambassador to the European David McKean, must be grateful that he Union, he can expect short shrift from the is out of the circuit if Malloch is the sort majority of Luxembourgers. Malloch--who of person that the United States thinks seems to prefer to be called Ted--caused should be representing its interests and a stir during an interview with Andrew promoting diplomacy in the EU. McKean Neil on the BBC’s This Week talk show was clearly a fan of the European Union when he said that European and, like Barack Obama Commission president Jeanand his good friend John Claude Juncker “was, I think, Kerry, and like many Lux"RATHER a very adequate mayor of embourg politicians, he MORE a city in Luxembourg and recognised how crucial a WORRYING maybe he should go back strong EU was for stability WAS A and do that again”. Neil in Europe. One thing McKean STATEMENT was clearly shocked and and Malloch agree on is that amused. “This is clearly some countries should conHINTING going to be a very diplomatic tribute more to the collective THAT appointment,” the host defence of Europe, but other HE WOULD guffawed. than that they seem to be REVEL IN THE At least, in stark contrast worlds apart.

DOWNFALL Gracious and well-read, to the crass and moronic OF THE EU." style of Donald Trump, and well-versed in the inMalloch has the good grace tricacies of Washington’s to speak with decorum and workings, McKean took displays the intelligence and knowledge genuine interest in the people he met. He that befits a potential top diplomat. An may have been a political appointee but academic, Malloch chooses his words could easily have made a highly successful carefully and even when he resorts to career in diplomacy. It is a shame Luxemhurling brickbats there is a sense of mis- bourg was robbed of his talent all too soon. chievous knowing that he is rubbing people We await the nomination of president up the wrong way. Rather more worrying Trump’s appointee as the next Luxembourg was a statement hinting that he would revel ambassador with bated breath. Let us hope in the downfall of the EU. “I had in a the candidate is not as vacant as the comprevious career a diplomatic post where I mander-in-chief himself. helped to bring down the Soviet Union, so maybe there’s another union that needs DUNCAN ROBERTS Editor-in-chief a little taming.”

ON MY MIND Choosing candidates for Maison Moderne’s “Celebrating Luxembourg” campaign (www.celebratingluxembourg.com) - welcoming the free entrance to the Casino Luxembourg contemporary art forum (www.casino-luxembourg.lu) drooling over the excellent line up for this year’s Out Of The Crowd festival (www.ootcfestival.com) February 2017

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CONTENTS

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Write to PO Box 728 L-2017 Luxembourg Offices 10 rue des Gaulois, Luxembourg-Bonnevoie ISSN 2220-5535 Web www.maisonmoderne.com Founder and CEO Mike Koedinger Administrative and financial director Etienne Velasti Innovation, quality and operations director Rudy Lafontaine PUBLISHER Phone (+352) 20 70 70 Fax (+352) 29 66 19 E-mail publishing@maisonmoderne.com Publisher Mike Koedinger Editorial director Sven Ehmann Editor in chief Duncan Roberts (duncan.roberts@maisonmoderne.com) Desk editor Aaron Grunwald (aaron.grunwald@maisonmoderne.com) Journalists Jess Bauldry, Martine Huberty Contributors Neel Chrillesen, Isabella Eastwood, Stephen Evans, Sarah Pitt, Alix Rassel, Tonya Stoneman, Wendy Winn Photography Sven Becker, Marion Dessard, Patrick Galbats, Lala La Photo, Mike Zenari Proofreading Pauline Berg, Muriel Dietsch, Sarah Lambolez, Inès Sérizier DESIGN Phone (+352) 20 70 70-200 Fax (+352) 27 62 12 62-84 E-mail studio@maisonmoderne.com Director, Maison Moderne Studio Guido Kröger Creative director Jeremy Leslie Studio manager Stéphanie Poras-Schwickerath Art director Cassandre Bourtembourg Layout Sascha Timplan (coordination), Monique Bernard, Sophie Melai

DELANO FEBRUARY 2017 CURRENT AFFAIRS

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COVER STO RY

Delano head s to talk with m down south em Australian, Ne bers of the w South African Zealand and about life as communities an integrating in expat, Lu and their spor xembourg ting interests.

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LOCAL ATTRACTION

Why native Luxembourgers are sending their kids to international schools.

BUSINESS

ADVERTISING Phone (+352) 20 70 70-300 Fax (+352) 26 29 66 20 E-mail regie@maisonmoderne.com Director, Maison Moderne Advertising Sales Francis Gasparotto (francis.gasparotto@maisonmoderne.com) Sales director Luciana Restivo (luciana.restivo@maisonmoderne.com) Account manager Anca Marinescu (anca.marinescu@maisonmoderne.com) SUBSCRIPTIONS For subscriptions, please visit www.delano.lu Luxembourg (shipping included) 1 year / 8 issues / 25 euros 2 years / 16 issues / 50 euros Europe (shipping included) 1 year / 8 issues / 31 euros 2 years / 16 issues / 68 euros Printed by Imprimerie Centrale Distribution by Valora Services Luxembourg

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LONG GAME

How Luxembourg’s fund industry is progressing in Asian markets.

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IS UBER COMING TO LUXEMBOURG?

The American “on demand mobility” firm is testing the waters in the Grand Duchy. But there may be a few roadblocks in its path.

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

Nathan Sneyd, Kiwi coach at Top Squash NOTE TO OUR READERS

The next print edition of Delano will be published on 17 March.

For updates, commentary and our weekly what’s on guide, visit www.delano.lu.

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CHARGING AHEAD

Delano takes five of the latest electric vehicles for a spin.

Here’s why you might want to get behind the wheel of one yourself.

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HOLIDAY PLANNING

Holiday package or à la carte?

Ask yourself these questions.

February 2017

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BUSINESS 32

MULTICULTURAL FAIR PREP

Last year, it drew 50,000 visitors.

Delano checks in with the organisers of this spring’s migration festival.

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CACTUS GOES UNDERGROUND

A Luxembourg supermarket took a bold step at its Howald location; Delano parked there on opening day to see how it went.

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TRUMP SUPPORTERS CELEBRATE

MILESTONE YEAR

The British Chamber of Commerce turns 25 in 2017; how will it mark the anniversary and who will be its new chairman?

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Republicans Overseas Luxembourg hosted a party in honour of the 45th US president. See who was there.

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THE JOURNAL

Dispatches from Delano writers: Are any EU politicians still calling for “more Europe”; Chris Lyon, an international community figure for more than a decade, plans a very active retirement; what’s the frap over a 40-hour work week; the Grand Duchy is home to a small but growing poetry hub; a British diplomat wants #LuxUKLinks to trend (and not #Brexit); and who is Gilles Muller?

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GENDER QUOTA

TREADING NEW GROUND

The newish Iranian business chamber in Luxembourg is cautiously optimistic about economic ties between the two countries.

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LIFESTYLE

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“IT’S BEEN FASCINATING…”

DIGITAL DELANO HIGHLIGHTS: DIGITAL WWW.DELANO.LU HIGHLIGHTS

ANDY BAUSCH

The iconic director talks about his latest movie, the senior citizen comedy Rusty Boys, and how he has grown as a film-maker.

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RUSSIAN CHARITY BALL

The Russian Club of Luxembourg’s glamorous fundraising gala raised thousands for children’s charities.

Check out our snapshots.

LUXEMBOURGISH QUESTION

The Luxembourgish debate in parliament Search for “Luxembourgish”

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LINKING UP ROMANIANS

Four board members tell Delano how Avris is creating networking and cohesion opportunities for Romanians living in Luxembourg.

Just days before leaving his post as US ambassador, David McKean spoke with Delano about the future of transatlantic trade.

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OUTSOURCING BILL

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ALTERNATIVE VALENTINE’S

Tables for two and long stem roses are good and all that, but Delano has 10 other ways to mark the 14th of February.

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LOCAL ELECTIONS

We track the issues and explain how to register Search for “local elections”

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SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY

Pat da Silva shares some of the things she packed when she moved to Luxembourg in the first of our new “In my suitcase” series.

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HUNT FOR VINYL

A law winding its way through parliament potentially has a big impact on the IT departments of Luxembourg financial firms.

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LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING

BREXIT BLOG

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NO CHILD’S GAME

The automotive sector in Luxembourg employs thousands and supplies carmakers across Europe; here are some of the key figures.

Photographer Patrick Galbats gave the 13th International Record Fair a spin.

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Theatre director Anne Simon talks to Delano about her new “relationship drama”, being staged at the Théâtre des Capucins.

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What Brexit means for Luxembourg Search for “Brexit”

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BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY

HOTLY CONTESTED FESTIVAL

Taking a carefree holiday requires some homework. From stopping the post to taking out travel insurance, here’s 23 top tips.

There’s never a dull moment at the annual Luxembourg City Film Festival, but we’ve narrowed the list down to 14 flicks you should see.

FRESH FACES

to have two new Delano is pleased m. Jess Bauldry tea the on s journalist reporter here in (right) is a long-timethe UK. Martine in and urg bo xem Lu a regular Delano Huberty (left) was r. nk-tank researche contributor and thi

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PISTACHIO QUEEN

AUNTIE ELEANOR

Meet the president of Luxembourg’s global nut giant, in the first instalment of our year-long “Celebrating Luxembourg” series.

Delano’s advice columnist answers readers’ questions on local carnivals, Facebook etiquette and state visits.

AGENDA

The latest community, culture and networking events Click on “Agenda” 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.

February 2017

Chambre des Députés > Maison Moderne > Davide D’Amico (CC BY-SA 2.0) > Steve Eastwood (archives)

A new law requires parties to present more women political candidates, but will it really result in more female MPs?

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UPFRONT

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MIGRATION FESTIVAL A. Jean-Philippe Ruiz of the Comité de liaison des associations d’étrangers speaks with Delano’s Alix Rassell B. and C. Clae’s Kristel Pairoux and Jean-Philippe Ruiz review documentation D. Clae’s offices in Luxembourg Gasperich pictured on 18 January 2017 E. More than 400 associations are expected to paticipate this year F. Jean-Philippe Ruiz discusses catering arrangements over the telephone with Anita Helpiquet, the organisation’s co-director Search for “multicultural fair” on www.delano.lu

1. 3. 10.

With an average life expectancy of 82, Luxembourg topped the healthiest country league in the Legatum Institute’s Prosperity Index. Singapore and Switzerland ranked second and third.

February 2017

The number of new fixed speed cameras being installed on Luxembourg’s road network in 2017. 20 cameras were installed in 2016, recording 168,000 offences during the first six months.

Luxembourg’s ranking out of 176 countries in Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index.

The Grand Duchy shares the 10th place spot with Germany and the UK.

Clae reportage: Lala La Photo

It is lesser known to many expats than the International Bazaar, but each spring Luxexpo plays host to the Festival des migrations, des cultures et de la citoyenneté (Migration, Culture and Citizenship Festival). Last year it drew more than 30,000 visitors. So Delano dropped by the organiser’s offices to check on preparations. Work begins six months in advance, and involves three staffers and roughly 200 volunteers, says Kristel Pairoux. Originally meant as a political statement, today it is more a celebration of Luxembourg’s diversity.

“When you come to the festival, you get to visit hundreds of different cultures and countries in one afternoon or one day,” reckons Jean-Philippe Ruiz.

This year’s edition will be held 3-5 March and entrance is free.

ENDING FREE PLASTIC BAGS

Plastic bags will no longer be given away free in Luxembourg from 31 December 2018.

Parliament adopted the EU directive in January without controversy. Plastic bags will still be available but after the cut-off point, people must pay for them. Only thin bags that are found in fruit and vegetable aisles can be distributed free of charge. A number of chain stores in Luxembourg have already introduced a voluntary fee for customers using their plastic bags under the Ökotut (eco bag) scheme.

The aim of this law is to reduce the number of plastic bags used per person per year to 90.

Currently, average annual plastic bag use within the EU is 200 bags per person. More than 100 million tons of plastic is thought to be floating in the oceans.

Luc Deflorenne (archives)

FUNDING "SHE DECIDES"

Luxembourg’s cooperation minister Romain Schneider announced at the end of January that the government will support the Dutch “She decides” initiative in the face of US president Donald Trump’s decision to cease funding for charities that provide access to (and information about) abortions. www.shedecides.eu

SPEAKERS’ CORNER

SPURIOUS CLAIMS Felix Reding, a member of the Alternative Democratic Reform party, has taken issue with the editorial comment in the Winter 2017 edition. We publish his response here.

A couple of days ago, I chanced upon an editorial of your magazine, entitled “Ring out the old”. I was quite honestly enraged at its contents, namely the thinly veiled disgust for the ADR, all in the context of urging the readers of your magazine to use their right to vote in the upcoming communal elections in 2017.

Your editor-in-chief coldly states our party’s concerns about the Luxembourgish identity to be “nonsensical”. Furthermore, our defence of the Luxembourgish language is apparently “spurious”. These comments come at a time when it is not only predicted that people of Luxembourgish nationality will be in the minority in the coming decade, but also at a time where we have seen a pro-language petition break all conceivable records. There is a clear voice in the Luxembourgish population for a greater protection of our identity and language faced with the pressures of an expanding foreign population. As a conservative party, we want to make sure than our culture is secured throughout this process of substantial growth (which has also clearly brought us innumerable benefits).

The editor-in-chief has every right to be critical of our policies. However, the editorial published was simply misleading and misrepresents who we as a party are. Yes, it is true: we were the only party against the right to vote for foreign residents in national elections during the referendum last year.

Our clear commitment to the “nee” was anything but radical, however, and whilst I can understand why many foreign residents perhaps felt dejected by the outcome, they must understand it has nothing to do with xenophobia and everything to do with preserving some shroud of a benefit to acquiring our nationality (and learning our language).

I can only imagine how overwhelming the rejection of this question posed in the referendum would have been in the UK. We, as a party, are proud to have several foreign residents presenting themselves on our list, and would urge anyone thinking of doing so to contact us, or any other party, bearing in mind we are the sister party of the governing Conservatives in England, and the UUP in Northern Ireland. It would be an honour to welcome any Brits to our list. @Felix_Reding February 2017

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Text by MARTINE HUBERTY

Photography by LALA LA PHOTO

TRUMP SUPPORTERS CELEBRATE

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epublicans Overseas Luxembourg hosted a party to mark the inauguration of the 45th US president. “President Trump was elected first, second and third to restore jobs to the middle class,” said James O’Neal, president of the group. For Jorge Del Rio, the most important policy was “economic reform with regard to corporate tax

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rates.” Asked what they would say to the global protests against Trump, everyone had the same reply: give Trump a chance. Alain Feyereisen argued: “He has not yet done anything and already people are against him. First he has to do his work and then you can judge him.”

Search for “Trump” on www.delano.lu

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INAUGURATION PARTY A. James O’Neal, Sharon March and Jean Labrique, during the presidential inauguration party organised

by Republicans Overseas Luxembourg at the White Rose Pub on 20 January 2017 B. William Abundes and Jorge del Rio C. About 20 people attended, including a handful of native Luxembourgers, Fréderic Becker and Alain Feyereisen among them D. Étienne Sakouhi and Zsuzsanna Mokocz E. Joël Schadeck and Joy Mertz F. Attendees watch TV coverage of the ceremonies in Washington G. Emmanuel and John-Paul H. Sylvie & Roger I. Richard Tippett

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Autofestival 2017

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THE JOURNAL

Politicians telling slanted, simplified stories isn’t new.

For example, “more Europe” was the panacea voiced by two generations of politicians on the continent. How and why has this message changed recently?

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n 19 January, the European commissioner for economic and financial affairs, taxation and customs, Pierre Moscovici, called for “more convergence, more institutional

February 2017

tools, more political tools.” Faced with a growing threat from populism “we need more Europe”, he added.

Such talk was commonplace two decades ago, but is rarely heard now.

“There used to be an almost unthinking integrationist discourse from most of the founding member states,” said Robert Harmsen, a professor of political science at the University of Luxembourg (pictured).

“Now there are calls for more European mechanisms here and there

to tackle specific problems, but generalised calls for broad European integration are now relatively rare,” he added.

Harmsen thinks the tone of debate has shifted and Europe’s leaders focus has moved to protecting and reforming existing achievements. And he doesn’t think this change of emphasis has much to do with pressure from antiEU populists. “The European project has matured, with debates about substantial areas of policy being part

Patrick Galbats

MIND YOUR LANGUAGE ON EUROPE

of the normal political process,” he said. “It is important to draw a distinction between posing fundamental questions about membership and the integrity of the EU, and limited criticisms about reforming the common agricultural policy and regional policy: this is a sign of maturity in Europe.”

The different way continentals talk about Europe has contributed to anti-EU sentiment in the UK. On the mainland, the call for “more Europe” was to a certain extent virtue signalling. It demonstrated a desire to bring to an end the cycle of conflict which had been a fact of life on the European peninsular since the Stone Age. Also, for the majority of European states, the EU signifies movement away from dictatorship and for the assertion of national sovereignty.

Britain, on the other hand, has not experienced war on home soil and dictatorship for centuries. The UK’s decision to join the European Economic Community was mainly a dry, intellectual decision which followed the shock of imperial and relative economic decline in the 1950s and 1960s. Hence the emotionally rooted talk of the need for “ever-closer union” rarely rang true for Brits. The country made the mistake of taking continentals seriously and literally.

DIFFERENT OPPOSITION These different outlooks play into the different ways that anti-EU sentiment is perceived in the UK and elsewhere in Europe, Harmsen argues. “On the continent, the discourse is more about opposition to elites and a perception of a democratic deficit, whereas British euroscepticism is more about cultural othering.” In other words, although all populists have a similar set of attitudes opposing institutions and people in power, British people are more likely to feel an added layer of alienation from their European neighbours. This is not to forget the London press, much of which is unique in its virulent opposition to the EU.

It is somewhat ironic that Britain is leaving just when EU leaders are speaking and acting in a way more in tune with British culture.

Reported by STEPHEN EVANS

GOING FROM RETAIL TO WHOLESALE Chris Lyon, a community figure for more than a decade, is looking forward to a very active retirement.

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nglican church chaplain Chris Lyon is smiling even more than usual when I meet him at the church office at Centre Jean XXIII. “I just became a grandfather for the first time,” he explains.

2017 is a year of enormous change for Lyon. In addition to the birth of a granddaughter, on 12 February he gives his last service as a vicar at the church he has led for almost 15 years.

“Since I made the announcement that I’m retiring, I realised I’ve worked weekends pretty much without a break, apart from a year, since I was 14 when I worked in a chip shop,” he says. “This concept of a weekend, having two days of leisure in a row, is going to be really nice.”

Rev Lyon joined the church through an unconventional route, graduating with a degree in law at Strathclyde University in 1975, working as an accountant, then night watchman in Nancy, and spending two years with the Conservative Party before training to be ordained in Edinburgh. His decision to join the church, he says, was twofold: because people tended to confide in him and he had several near-death experiences as a teenager.

“I felt I had been looked after by God.” Lyon served in Scotland until he came to Luxembourg in 2002, joining a congregation that could not be more different. “Pastorally it’s been

the most challenging place I’ve ever worked in because people are so far from home.”

His role changed in 2004 when the Anglican church became a member of the government-recognised body of religions in Luxembourg. From then on his pastoral duties began to extend beyond the immediate congregation to providing spiritual guidance to people outside of the church. “I’m paid to be an Anglican priest for all people of Luxembourg.

That’s our mission. The church isn’t just there to recruit new members for itself, but to help transform the society in which it is set.”

"THE THING THAT INTERESTS ME MOST IS THE COMMUNITY, NOT THE CHURCH..."

CHRIS LYON

This mission to build a “good and just society” is not one that Lyon will abandon once he hangs up the dog collar. He plans to remain in Luxembourg, to read and study questions of human dignity and social cohesion.

Separately he is helping develop an ethics training course for independent board directors in collaboration with the ILA, a trade group for board members. In addition, he will continue teaching religious education to secondary school students at the European schools I and II. “The thing that interests me most is the community, not the church…

I said to someone I feel like I am going to move from retail to wholesale, February 2017

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because I might write a blog,” he says.

He also plans to learn Luxembourgish and get dual Luxembourg nationality.

Not normally a fan of transitions, Rev Lyon says he feels good about his decision, particularly since he knows that the church in Luxembourg is in a good place. Later this year it moves to Cents, Evelyn Sweerts will begin as lay pastoral assistant, supported by locum priests and, within a year, a replacement chaplain should be appointed. www.anglican.lu

Reported by JESS BAULDRY

TICK TOCK, ON THE CLOCK A debate on working time was stifled before it even started.

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he time employees spend at work has been in the news since the first of January: Étienne Schneider, the LSAP economy minister, suggested a parliamentary debate on reducing the 40-hour work week, but was soon shut down by Xavier Bettel, the DP prime minister, at the new year reception held by Fedil, a business federation.

During the LSAP’s new year reception, Schneider had said he wanted new discussions on shortening the work week between the trade unions and employers’ organisations: “We will become more productive with the impact of digitalisation and we want this to benefit not just employers, but also employees. This can be done either through increased salaries or through a debate on working times.

The question is whether we should keep the 40-hour week or not?”

The reasoning behind the proposal is that digitalisation and robotics will generate massive losses of jobs and reduce the number of available jobs in the future. This will have an impact on social security systems and income redistribution. If working time was

February 2017

cut, more people could be employed to do the same job, thereby at least cushioning the loss of available jobs, the argument goes.

The Luxembourg employers association (UEL) was, however, not ready to open these discussions again. The government could not expect any goodwill after the recent negotiations on the law governing working time (the PAN law). Jean-Jacques Rommes, general director of the UEL, said in an interview with 100,7 public radio that subject should instead be placed in the context of a broad discussion on how working hours should be organised in a digitalised world. One

of the major trade unions, the LCGB, said that the social partners (business and trade unions) should lead these negotiations.

Barely two weeks later, the reply from the prime minister could not have been clearer: a 35-hour week “would not have his support.” Bettel (pictured) argued that the digital revolution would follow the pattern of the other industrial revolutions: it would destroy jobs, but also create new ones. The government’s policy was to encourage entrepreneurship to ensure competitiveness. This should reassure business and industry federations that this Pandora box won’t be opened after all. However, the question can be raised why Schneider pressed ahead with this proposal without consulting his cabinet colleagues and the PM. Separately, a petition was submitted to parliament in January that calls for an increase in minimum paid holiday time from 25 days to at least 30, in order to “improve the quality of life for everyone and redress the difference between the public and private sectors.” The author argued that civil servants’ annual leave ranges from 32 days to 34 days for people aged over 50, and 36 days for those over 55. In the private sector, the legal leave is only 25 days.

Anyone can sign the petition (number 762) provided they are aged 15 or older and have a Luxembourg social security number. The deadline is 28 February. www.chd.lu

Reported by MARTINE HUBERTY

European Council

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WORK SITES INFORMATION AND MEDIATION

MO-FRI: 8H30 - 17H00

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LITERARY LUXEMBOURG L

uxembourg, with its high cost of living, may seem an unlikely choice for a writer looking to hone his craft. Nevertheless, Bangladeshi writer Shehzar Doja is not easily discouraged. He moved to the Grand Duchy from India in 2014. Three years on and he is on first-name terms with a previous national poet of Wales, has a book out and is the founder and editor of The Luxembourg Review. “When I came here I wanted to give something back. I didn’t know how so I figured I would use the things I studied or learned,� Doja tells Delano.

The review began life as a volunteerrun blog reviewing English-language poetry anthologies, while Doja studied for a bachelor’s in creative writing and English literature at the British Open University.

It quickly grew as he recruited core team contributors, Nathan Hassall and Martelle McPartland, and his home was inundated with poetry collections to be reviewed. “We’ve had reviews of books from Nigeria, Asia, India, the US and UK. Basically, it’s a very global project.�

The Luxembourg Review reached new heights in 2016 with the publication of its first print edition, funded by an anonymous donor. The beautifully designed journal is brimming with poems, short stories, reviews and cultural essays from big names and emerging writers alike.

The biggest coup was the opening poem, ‘Europa’, a timely celebration of Europe’s removal of border checks under the Schengen treaty and written for the review by the former national poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke. “This is just the start. With the proper funding and support, we could be much more,� Doja said, adding that he hopes to apply for funding February 2017

within Luxembourg in order to produce a twice-annual print edition.

The journal is just one expression of Doja’s passion for poetry and literature, which dates back to his childhood. A health problem that went undiagnosed for two years slowed his early development, particularly his speech faculties. “It was something I had to struggle through initially but it paved the way to my poetry.�

What helped, he said, was having his mother read to him. “When I was young my mother would read ‘Sea Fever’, a poem by John Masefield, to me. Listening to poetry created a sense of internal wonder in me.�

By 8, Doja was composing his own poems, a craft which he has worked on ever since with some considerable success. He has seen his work published in the Monsoon Letters, San Antonio Review and New Welsh Review, among others, and won numerous competitions.

His big break came in 2016 when he published his first collection of poetry, Drift, through University Press Limited and Monsoon Letters in Bangladesh. The book was launched at the Dhaka Literary Festival in 2016. “Everything I’ve done is as a result of being mentored by other writers and from what I’ve picked up in the pursuit of my passions,� the poet said.

Drift and The Luxembourg Review are available at The Book Loft in Howald www.theluxembourgreview.org

Reported by JESS BAULDRY

Shehzar Doja

The Grand Duchy now has a small but growing global poetry hub.

#SHARED HISTORY CAMPAIGN Meet the diplomat highlighting links between the UK and Grand Duchy, 140 characters at a time.

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ritish Ambassador to Luxembourg John Marshall is one of the few in the diplomatic corps to fully embrace social media platform Twitter. Followers of @HMAJohnMarshall will be able to view his professional movements, find out where he last went running and, since September, learn some interesting facts about the common history between Luxembourg and the UK. “I’ve always been interested in historical links between the UK and

the countries in which I’ve been posted,� the ambassador told Delano. “So, I had the idea of tweeting on links between the UK and Luxembourg, with a view to then turn that into a media exhibition.�

Tweeting twice a week, the ambassador has shared links spanning anything from history and politics to the military, industry, science and culture. His tweets have included well-known stories, for example the fact that while in exile during WWII, the Luxembourg government spent time in London, from where the then Grand Duchess Charlotte broadcast to Luxembourgers living under occupation.

Another well-documented link concerns the military. The graves of numerous Royal Air Force personnel are located in Luxembourg and three generations of the Grand Ducal family were trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, in Surrey. The first was Grand Duke Jean, who volunteered for the British army in 1942, participating in the Normandy operations and helping liberate Luxembourg. After WWII, he became colonel with the Irish Guards and later he was made an honorary general. “I’ve met him and he recalls fondly his association with the Irish Guards,” Marshall said.

Of the less well-known interactions that can be gleaned from the tweets is that the first international commercial passenger flights operated from Luxembourg were to the UK, flying recordings and records for Radio Luxembourg. “The link was between an airport in Esch-sur-Alzette and Croydon, which started in 1938.

It didn’t last long because of the war.”

By May these factoids and more will also be found outside of the Twittersphere, on printed roll-ups as part of a “mobile exhibition” for use on external visits.

One of the words you will not find in any of the ambassador’s tweets is Brexit. This planned withdrawal from the EU, decided by a slim majority in last year’s referendum, is “unrelated” and certainly not the “driving force” behind the Twitter project, he insisted.

However, if the tweets give people a better understanding of “the very rich history we’ve shared over the years” and help them “talk about things in a longer historical perspective, that would be great,” Marshall said.

The stories will no doubt interest the over 6,000 Britons living in Luxembourg and Luxembourgers alike, even if they are limited to 140 characters. The ambassador hopes in future to produce a booklet providing more details on each tweet. In the meantime, he wants to hear from anyone with less well-known stories; via Twitter, of course. #LuxUKLinks

Reported by JESS BAULDRY

EXPRESS BIO Born 9 May 1983 in Schifflange

WHO’S WHO

Career highlights 2001: turned pro; reached final of boys’ singles at Wimbledon 2005: grand slam victories over Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick 2008: reached quarter finals of US Open 2017: first ATP title in Sydney Stats 196: match wins against 177 defeats 9: victories over Top 10 players 368: lowest end year ATP ranking (in 2013) 5: ATP finals lost before victory in Sydney 28: highest ATP ranking--at end of January 2017

GILLES MULLER

" ONE OF MY MOTIVATIONS WAS TO KEEP PLAYING, TO KEEP COMING BACK SO THEY WOULD SEE AND KNOW WHAT THEIR DAD WAS DOING." At the age of 33, Luxembourg’s no. 1 men’s tennis player finally enjoyed an ATP tournament victory in Sydney in January.

Australia and the tennis world experienced an emotional night when a player in his midthirties won a tournament against the odds in January. But while Roger Federer’s Australian Open title rightly goes down in history, it was Luxembourger Gilles Muller who set the tone some two weeks earlier when he beat British player Dan Evans to take his first ever ATP tour title at the Sydney International.

Now 33, Muller had previously reached five ATP finals. The victory was all the sweeter that his wife Alessia Fauzzi and sons Lenny and Nils were watching. Muller broke down in tears when presented with the trophy by the great Australian Rod Laver. “To win this title in front of them was just amazing,” he said.

“Everything that happened tonight was like in a movie.”

Muller has long been Luxembourg’s no. 1 tennis player and the Sydney win moved him

to his highest ever ATP ranking of no. 28 in the world. Back in 2011 when he was preparing to play for Luxembourg in the Davis Cup, Muller told Delano that his big goal was to reach the Top 50. “Once I achieve that, who knows…” he said.

The player who has claimed the scalps of Rafael Nadal (at Wimbledon in 2005) and Andy Roddick (at the US Open in the same year) has fought back from injuries in 2008 and 2013, when he finished the year ranked no. 368.

But by the end of 2014 he was in the Top 50 and has been rising in the rankings ever since.

He is also Luxembourg’s most successful Davis Cup player, winning 54 of the 71 matches he has played in national colours. He has been named Luxembourg’s sportsman of the year for the last three years and, following the Sydney win, the odds on him retaining the title this year are already very short.

February 2017

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COVER STORY

Text by DUNCAN ROBERTS

Photography by MAISON MODERNE & MIKE ZENARI

GO OD SPORT

S

If there is one thing that unites Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans, it is their love of sport, and rugby in particular. The tri-nations tournament between the three nations may now have been expanded to include Argentina, but the peoples of the three English-speaking southern hemisphere giants still have a unique connection to the game.

They also enjoy the outdoor lifestyle, barbecues and wine. But surely there is more to them than these clichĂŠs? Delano talks with expats about their life in Luxembourg, how they stay connected and what they miss about their native country.

February 2017

ALL ROUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER W

hen she met her future husband in Salzburg, where they were both studying, Colleen Blake had little idea of what Luxembourg was like. “I think he was one of three Luxembourgers studying in Salzburg,” says the Australian mother, blogger, skier and casting director.

“I knew Luxembourg was a tax haven and that you could drive across the country in 45 minutes. It was quite nice to come to a country and not knowing anything about it.”

The couple moved to Luxembourg in 2008 so that husband Raoul could work in the fi lm industry. “We lived in a tiny apartment in Bonnevoie, 40 square metres or so.” Through Raoul and a network of friends in the industry, Colleen discovered there was a growing need for an Englishlanguage casting director. She started by working as an assistant to Luxembourg director and producer Bady Minck on her MappaMundi project (which will receive its Luxembourg premier during the upcoming Luxembourg City Film Festival--see page 94). She has casting credits on Margarethe von Trotta’s historical drama Hannah Arendt and also Ari Folman’s award-winning live action-animation fi lm The Congress, among others.

Colleen learned Luxembourgish quickly, thanks in part to having some basic knowledge of German. Her children are also growing up bilingual, which she says is “really amazing”.

Two years ago, she became involved with the Australia stand at the Bazar International, for which she makes meat pies. “I make around 400 and they sell out really quickly.” She also helps coordinate an ANZ group on Facebook and would love to organise a Christmas in July event for fellow Antipodeans in Luxembourg.

Colleen also used to write a popular blog, Cookie & Peanut, about life with two little girls, travel and what’s cool in Luxembourg. She built the blog from scratch as a challenge, but moving into an ancestral house and other projects, like running their former apartment on Airbnb, meant she took the decision to give up the blog.

EARLY TRAVELLER Regular visits back home are not so viable with a husband and two children--“it’s 36 hours door-to-door”--but whenever Colleen does feel homesick a quick trip to London usually fi xes it. “It’s pretty much the same as in Australia, except the double decker buses.”

She grew up in what she describes as a “ghost town”, Cooma in New South Wales. “It’s Aboriginal for the creek. But it’s really nicely located. It’s one hour to the capital, Canberra, one hour to the beach, so you go surfi ng, swimming whatever… and one hour to the mountains, so you can go skiing.” Indeed, it is the last major stop to the Snowy Mountains for many winter sports enthusiasts so Colleen did seasonal work in a ski hire shop. “That was really fun. Cooma is really easy and comfortable, people leave their houses and cars unlocked… you take in deliveries for neighbours. Some of my friends are still there.”

Her father loved travelling and had friends in Austria, so Colleen travelled frequently from an early age--she fi rst came to Europe at the age of 6 months.

Later, at the age of 14, she travelled alone to attend school in Austria as an exchange student and to train as a junior cross country skier. “It was scary.” She still really enjoys skiing and will take the kids for a trip soon.

Like fellow Antipodean expats, Colleen misses the weather, but also mentions Tim Tam biscuits, Redskins sweets, beach life and the smell of the bush--“the eucalyptus”--as things she really misses.

ME TO E TO CO WING IC N E QUIT KNO "IT WAS RY AND NOT IT." T A COUN THING ABOUtrTalia ANY en Blake – Aus Colle

February 2017

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BEST OF BOTH WORLDS E

ven though DJ Kirsty Sutherland was born and raised in Luxembourg, she grew up with a keen awareness of New Zealand culture, carefully honed by a fascination with Kiwi soap opera Outrageous Fortune. “My favourite singer-songwriter, Gin Wigmore, just also happens to be from New Zealand,” she says. Kirsty was delighted to get to meet Wigmore, who has had three number one albums in New Zealand, when she was playing in a small club in London. “It was just £5 to get in, which is amazing because in New Zealand and Australia she has won loads of awards.”

Family also played a big influence, and Kirsty goes back to New Zealand once a year to visit. “We usually go back at Christmas, so we get two summers,” she says over coffee at Konrad Café. The extended family is spread all over the country, with one aunt even in Australia, which means a lot of travelling when Kirsty flies to the southern hemisphere.

A former student at the European School and the International School of Luxembourg (where she finished her studies), Kirsty freely admits she has never learned Luxembourgish. “I think I’ve more embraced the French side of Luxembourg, to be honest.” She has a regular gig in Metz. Kirsty lived in London for a year but didn’t really enjoy it. She then had the intention of moving to New Zealand, but upon her return to the Grand Duchy she ended up settling in. Now her family in New Zealand notices that she has a number of traditions that she has picked up in Luxembourg. “I pretty much have the best of both worlds.” A keen rugby fan and a former squash player, Kirsty was coached by fellow Kiwi Nathan Sneyd at Top Squash (see page 24).

THE ACCIDENTAL DJ Her DJ career happened by accident, she says. “I never intended it, but I suppose February 2017

because Luxembourg is quite small friends of friends booked me. Now bar and club owners know me.” Listening to Kirsty’s show on Ara City Radio, it is clear she has quite eclectic taste in music. Her father used to listen to AC/DC, The Rolling Stones and Crowded House and their ilk, while her mother was into Queen and David Bowie. “When I was a teenager I was into alternative rock, but when I started DJing I found those genres were pretty hard to mix, so I started listening to other genres and I have a bit of everything.”

Despite being nervous the first time she went on air, Kirsty quickly became accustomed to radio broadcasting and says doing her show now is second nature.

“But public speaking is something I’m still not a fan of. It’s different when you can’t see the people, I guess.” This year the show has been slightly revamped,

playing classic tunes and then dedicating the last half hour to more recent upbeat releases for the weekend.

Being in Luxembourg, Kirsty has had to cater to lots of different nationalities when DJing at a venue, which has also broadened her music horizons. Doing a bar or club night, she also has to stay somewhat commercial. “Luxembourg crowds are a lot more reserved than New Zealand. Down there people let themselves loose much earlier, they start dancing even when the club is not full--they’re not afraid to have a good time.”

Although Kirsty can envision herself living in New Zealand a lot further down the line, she can’t imagine leaving Luxembourg quite yet. “In my line of work, I depend on a thriving nightlife and New Zealand just doesn’t have that.” www.mixcloud.com/kirstysutherland

"LUXEMBOURG CROW DS ARE A LOT MORE RESERV ED THAN NEW ZEALAND." Kirsty Sutherland – New Ze

aland

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THE NEW CITIZENS C

raig and Elaine Harris arrived in the Grand Duchy over 20 years ago, when they landed at Findel on a Luxavia flight from Johannesburg to start a backpacking adventure around Europe. “We didn’t know much about the country,” says Craig.

“But we fell in love with it almost immediately.” The couple made some friends and after a sojourn in London they decided to come back to Luxembourg to settle down.

Craig got a job as a fishpacker in a wholesale business, but as holders of South African passports it was difficult to get permanent work. So they decided to open a business, the Poissonnerie Artic in Sandweiler, with an Icelandic partner.

The fish was imported directly from Iceland via Icelandair--though since the airline ceased operations out of Luxembourg in 1999, Craig and his staff have had to drive up to Cologne or Liège twice a week to collect their fish. “It’s important to have Icelandic fish. I like having quality wild fish, not farm bred fish.”

Its reputation has spread and Craig furnishes a number of Luxembourg’s best restaurants, including some with a Michelin star, with fresh fish.

“In Luxembourg the best advertising you can have is word of mouth.” His focus on quality means that Craig is not really competing with the supermarkets, or the giant wholesalers, even though his prices are higher. “I just try to keep my customers loyal. Many restaurants have been with me for 20 years. I don’t want a big mass;

I’d rather have a few good ones that I can look after.” He has noticed a change in dietary habits over the past 20 years, however, and it is one that has helped the business.

VOLUNTEERING A keen volunteer, Elaine Harris took over the running of the South Africa stand at the Bazar International from Pat da Silva (see page 86) some three years ago. “I had always helped on the Oasis stand with the Isaac family from 1994,” she explains.

“I got involved with helping on the South Africa stand in about 2000.” The stand has a crew of between 25 and 30 volunteers every year, including Craig, who likes to be behind the scenes. “Most of the time it is the same people that love coming back to help us,” Elaine says.

Visitors flock to the stand every year to buy popular sellers such as Windhoek & Castle Lager, Savanna ciders, and a selection of great wines. “We bring in a large variety of South African foods, condiments and items that we know that the South African people truly miss.”

“A lot of people do not really realise how much work is involved in having a stand at the bazaar,” says Elaine. Stand organisers have to put together a file about two charities that they want to propose to benefit from the proceeds of the bazaar. “This is quite time consuming, as we need to be in close contact with the charity to ensure that it functions correctly.” Then comes the

RT KE AN EFFO "IF YOU MA IT T E TE, YOU G TO INTEGRA FOLD." BACK TEN – South Africa Craig & Elaine

Harris

dauntless task of placing orders for the items they are going to sell during the Bazar weekend just before Christmas. “We begin this in May or June. We need to ensure that the prices are reasonable and that transport costs are not excessive.” Coordinating transport between Johannesburg to Luxembourg can also be stressful. In addition, for most orders it is the stand that has to pay upfront only to be reimbursed after the Bazar weekend.

CITIZENSHIP Craig and Elaine took up Luxembourg citizenship before the dual nationality law was introduced, so had to surrender their South African passports. That was heartbreaking, and now under the new law, the couple are considering applying to become South Africans again. But they have a number of Luxembourg friends and help out at commune events such as the annual Friendship fair. “If you make an effort to integrate, you get it back tenfold. Luxembourgers are very open when you get to know them.” The couple now has two children, Bianca, aged 14, and Tristan, aged 8, whom Craig describes as “little Luxembourgers”.

The only drawback is that the kids are missed by their grandparents and two aunts in Johannesburg--the Harrises only get down to South Africa once every two years or so. “When we visit, we want to stay for three or four weeks,” Craig explains. “But I still got a love for South Africa. You land and you say, ‘I’m home’.

But I get the same way when I come back to Luxembourg. It’s incredible.”

Craig misses the way of life and the friendliness in South Africa. He takes immense pride when people, like his local dentist here in Luxembourg, say they have had a good time visiting the country. Like many South Africans, Craig is a keen rugby fan. “I’ve stopped now, though,” he jokes as a comment on the current poor form of the Springboks team. “No, I still like to watch when South Africa plays, but I no longer watch every weekend.”

"THERE ARE LOTS OF EXPATS IN SIMILAR POSITIONS WILLING TO MEET UP." Melinda Roylett – Australia

WELL-TRAVELLED EXECUTIVE O

ne of Melinda Roylett’s favourite books as a child growing up in Australia was an atlas. “It was a really cool one; pictorial and story driven,” says the senior director, head of small and medium business at PayPal. “So I was always interested in foreign countries and the idea of travel.” Which is handy, given that her current job requires quite a lot of travel.

“I am often in Paris, Berlin, London with our teams there,” she says.

Although Melinda says she misses the weather in Australia, on the cold and overcast day on which we meet it is a sweltering 40 degrees celsius where her family is living in outer Sydney, so she is not that envious. “I miss my family. I go back once or twice a year. It’s hard because it is a long way. But I don’t miss Australia that much.” Indeed, she is now used to being in a multicultural environment--there are over 80 different nationalities in the PayPal Luxembourg office, from Europe as well as places like Colombia or Brazil.

Because her line of work prevents her committing to regularly scheduled team sports, Melinda enjoys running around the city and in the Bambësch, and doing more ad hoc sports such as the occasional yoga class. “There are a lot of races here. I will be doing the ING half marathon for the first time this year.” She also dives, and recently dusted off her certificate to spend a week diving in Raja Ampat in Indonesia.

Melinda has had a fascinating career, including an internship at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. She initially spent two years in Sydney after university, then around eight years in London before

landing her current role in Luxembourg some two years ago. She has already made an impact, appearing in Luxembourg for Finance’s “Make Your Career” campaign.

PUNCHING ABOVE ITS WEIGHT After being one of the youngest senior female leaders at PayPal in the UK, where she was head of business solutions and looking into the merchant experience, Melinda leapt at the chance to take up the position in Luxembourg. “I really wanted to go into the product functionality, something broader about general management,” she explains. “At the same time there was a need at PayPal to double down and focus on small and medium business, which is a very important segment to us.

As it was a European role, it had to be based out of HQ here in Luxembourg.”

Coming from the metropolis that is London, I wonder if she doesn’t miss the big city. “Luxembourg is small, but it does punch above its weight. If you think about it being right in the centre of Europe, two or three hours away from ski slopes in France, from castles… you can go running in Petite Suisse, there is a lot to do. And there are lots of expats in similar positions willing to meet up.” She also enjoys the short distances that living in a smaller city provides. The commute (from Limpertsberg to the city centre) is much more pleasant, she likes the idea of getting to Paris in two and a half hours, or getting a taxi to the airport in ten minutes to fly back to London. “It’s super convenient.”

And being in business, one other thing Melinda does like about Luxembourg is that the government is proactive. “Things seem to get done,” she says.

RUGBY IS KING The southern hemisphere teams have dominated world rugby for decades.

Indeed, since the Rugby World Cup was introduced in 1987, only England, in 2003, has broken the stranglehold of the tri-nations teams on the tournament.

The All Blacks of New Zealand have won the trophy three times, while the Wallabies of Australia and the Springboks of South Africa have both won it twice.

February 2017

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COACH GOING NATIVE S

quash is a fast growing sport that has increased its appeal for a number of reasons. “Look at what’s happening with fitness. It’s all about doing fast workouts; you no longer go for your one-hour run-you get a better workout in 20 minutes.

And squash has always done that,� says Nathan Sneyd.

Born in Wellington, Nathan went to school in the Wairarapa wine region. He was always into sport--as an eight-yearold, he and his sister raced BMX bikes and were among the best in the country. “Then I got into rugby and then into squash, so I was always travelling within New Zealand with sport.� Nathan’s further education took him to Otago university’s institute of sports. “That allowed me to learn to be a professional athlete, but also to teach sport.�

When he graduated in 1998, an experienced and acclaimed coach told Nathan that he couldn’t decide whether he was a player or a coach. “That told me I was a coach,� says Nathan with a smile. “I couldn’t make any money out of being a player, but I knew I could have a career as a coach.�

After coaching for three years in New Zealand, Nathan landed the job at Top Squash in 2001. In fact, Nathan took over at the club from fellow Kiwi Daniel Sharplin and another New Zealander, Ray Lindsay, had been the previous coach and club pro. Both Sharplin and Lindsay still have brothers living in Luxembourg.

BEAUTY OF DIVERSITY “I have family, but I didn’t bring them to Luxembourg,� Nathan jokes. His family include a sister in the police force in the far north and his mother running the most southerly farm in the country. “They couldn’t be further apart,� Nathan says.

So when he goes back he only pays a quick visit back to Wellington--because he loves the cafĂŠ culture there--but generally spends his time with the family. His last visit was in 2011 and he plans to take his British wife and two children for the first time this Christmas.

February 2017

So what keeps Nathan in Luxembourg after 15 years? “For me the beauty of Luxembourg is the diversity of the country.� He loves the fact that his children are learning to speak five languages, or the ease with which he can go to a concert at den Atelier--though he does not go so often since the kids arrived. “It’s still a thrill after 15 years to go across and do shopping Germany or nip over to Belgium for dinner. There are all these special things that Luxembourg has to offer, the freedom.�

So impressed is Nathan that he is in the process of applying for nationality and has been taking language lessons for a year. www.topsquash.lu

LL THESE "THERE ARE A S THAT G SPECIAL THIN O OFFER." T S A H LUXEMBOURG – New Zealand Nathan Sneyd

EMBASSIES DIRECTORY Australian Embassy and Mission to the European Union and Nato Avenue des Arts/ Kunstlaan 56, Brussels 1000, Belgium www.belgium.embassy. gov.au

Embassy of the Republic of South Africa to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Mission to the European Union Rue Montoyer/ Montoyerstraat 17-19, Brussels 1000, Belgium www.southafrica.be

New Zealand Embassy to Belgium, Bulgaria, European Union, Luxembourg, Romania and Sweden Avenue des Nerviens 9-31, Brussels 1040, Belgium www.mfat.govt.nz

Academic

Excellence

St George’s provides a world-class education for an inclusive, vibrant international community of 750 students aged 3 years to 18+ years, representing over 50 nationalities.

Achieving potential through challenge and care.

/stgeorgesluxembourg /stgeorgeslux

11 rue des Peupliers | L-2328 | Luxembourg-Hamm www.st-georges.lu | Tel. +352 42 32 24 | admissions@st-georges.lu

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CURRENT AFFAIRS

EDUCATION

Text by NEEL CHRILLESEN

Photography by PATRICK GALBATS

LOCAL ATTRACTION International schools in the Grand Duchy don’t only cater to expats. More and more native Luxembourg families are sending their children to English-language schools, though not all for the same reasons.

E

ven though her son has only just turned 10 and is thriving in his current local school, Monique has already decided that he will not continue in a Luxembourg state lycée in two years’ time. “I’m looking at the English-language schools now so we can apply early on and secure a place in one of them,” she says, showing the thick folder with the information she has collected. “Many of my friends’ children in Luxembourg lycées are struggling, either in a section they don’t want to be in or because they have problems with French. My husband and I don’t want to risk that for our son. Putting him into a system where he will learn fluent English and be able to choose more freely what he wants to study both now and later seems like the best solution.”

INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY International schools have become increasingly popular worldwide, and as their number has grown, so has their appeal with the local populations. According to the International School Consultancy Group’s latest market overview report from November 2016, the number of international schools has increased by 42% over the last five years and a whopping 80% of all international school enrolments are now local nationals. This trend is particularly notable in Asia. In the Grand Duchy, there is a long way to go to reach similar numbers. However native Luxembourgers like Monique are February 2017

HENRIETTE ROSENKVIST The globally recognised diploma and extracurricular activities make international schools attractive to many native Luxembourg families

noticeably more eager to send their children to English-language schools than previously.

“We have always had some native students. The longest serving is now 17 and has been here since he was 3 years old,” says Kerry Tranter, admissions officer at St. George’s International School. “But we went into double figures several years ago and haven’t dropped to single figures since then. The reasons for enrolment can vary from parents thinking of the future and wanting their children to have fluent English, to families

having worked abroad and returning to Luxembourg with school age children who have been taught in English or other languages elsewhere.

Many of our parents work for international companies and realise that in future transfers they are likely to find more options with English-speaking education. And even with very young children, parents are always thinking ahead to university. This can then affect their school choice as they consider possibilities for higher education. Finally, many of the parents themselves

" THE PARENTS’ OWN INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE BOTH OUTSIDE AND WITHIN LUXEMBOURG’S MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR."

studied at universities outside Luxembourg, so this can also influence their decision.”

At the International School of Luxembourg, where the number of Luxembourg natives represents 8.6% of the total student body (118 students, 2% more than in 2010), the same reasons are invoked. “It’s clear that the parents’ own international experience both outside and within Luxembourg’s multicultural community is an important factor,” says Henriette Rosenkvist, ISL’s head of admissions.

“Luxembourg parents are acutely aware of the advantages of mastering English and of obtaining an internationally recognised diploma like the international baccalaureate, and they are attracted by a learning environment that takes into account today’s global society. There is also a growing

consciousness that English isn’t just used in US or UK universities anymore but opens doors in many other places.

In 2013, 19% of our graduates went on to study in other European countries. Last year it was 30%.”

In the Michel Lucius lycée’s English-language section, which prepares for international GSCEs and AS & A-levels, 71 of the 396 students are Luxembourg nationals--just above the 63 Brits. “We have 59 different nationalities in the English-language section,” says the school director, Pascale Petry.

STATE SCHOOLS “The extracurricular activities we offer and our facilities also appeal strongly to Luxembourg families; it’s " WE NEED DIFFERENT something we hear a lot,” states SCHOOLS FOR DIFFERENT Rosenkvist. Despite the many changes STUDENTS." they face, local students generally CLAUDE MEISCH adapt well to both a new language and the more interactive and creative “Many families come here because way of learning, she states. they find the UK system better adapIt is not just the private international ted to their child’s needs and more schools that are popular with Luxem- flexible, plus they consider English bourg natives. The publicly run ones as the language of the future.” The are even more sought-after, in part school’s English-language section because they are tuition-free. opened in 2011 with just 14 students and has been growing rapidly since.

“We have entry exams every week!” according to Petry. Next year primary school classes will be added to the existing secondary ones and the whole section will be renamed “International School Michel Lucius”.

At the Athénée, where an international programme prepares for the IB in English, new classes will also be added next year so students can start in the 7th grade of lycée.

As for the new International School of Differdange (EIDD), which opened this school year and offers an English and a French section and prepares for the European baccalaureate, it will open another branch in Esch-sur-Alzette to cope with the strong demand from both expat and local families. “In Luxembourg, we need different schools for different students so each and every one can be offered a chance of success and a prospect for the future,” says Luxembourg’s minister of education, Claude Meisch.

It seems like international schooling will be taking up a larger part in that equation in the future, even for native Luxembourgers. At the start of the current school year already, 22% of the pupils attending a public English-language school were Luxembourg citizens.

STUDENT BREAKDOWN According to the latest statistics available (the 2015/2016 school year), there are 84,492 pupils attending state schools in Luxembourg (84.4% of the total student population), while 3,798 pupils (3.8%) are enrolled in private schools, and international schools teach 11,860 pupils (11.8%).

EUROPEAN SCHOOL In the European School I in Kirchberg, there are currently 94 students with Luxembourg nationality. “The number has been stable for many years,” says Gaby Olsem, assistant to the director. “Most of them are in the German, French or English sections, but not all. In many cases one of their parents is Luxembourgish and the other is of different nationality or they have parents who have worked abroad.”

KERRY TRANTER The number of Luxembourg students jumped from single to double figures just a few years ago February 2017

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CURRENT AFFAIRS

POLITICS

Text by MARTINE HUBERTY

Photography by MIKE ZENARI

QUOTA AIMS TO REBALANCE POLITICS A new law will see more women political candidates. But will it result in more female MPs?

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t the end of last year, parliament voted on a law which introduced several important advances in gender equality. The first was to make it mandatory that political parties have at least 40% of the underrepresented gender on their lists at national elections. Sylvie Andrich, MP for the CSV, specified: “The quotas are only applied at the national level, not at the constituency level. The four constituencies must have in total 40% of underrepresented candidates. The north, for example, is more rural and fewer women are likely to candidate.

If it only has 25% of women, then another constituency needs to have more women on their list to reach the 40% on the national level.”

Why did the government think it necessary to introduce this by law and not leave it up to the parties to set themselves standards of equal gender representation?

PARTY DIFFERENCES Marc Angel, MP from the LSAP, argued that: “If you look at statistics on the number of women in politics, it is imperative to find incentives to get more women into politics. When there are enough women, we won’t need this anymore. Experience has shown that where quotas were used in the past, they don’t need them anymore. In Norway, for example, there are many women in parties, in government, or in local government.

In Luxembourg, less than 30% of members of government are women, there aren’t enough women in parliament, only 20% of local councillors are women. There are only 11 female mayors out of over 100. Women often say they don’t want to be a ‘female quota’, but that’s not what February 2017

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EQUALITY MEASURE A. Marc Angel says the quotas are needed now, but may not be needed forever B. Sylvie Andrich notes that the rules only apply to national and European elections

it is--it is a quota for the underrepresented gender. Men may also be the minority one day!”

However, Andrich noted that some parties had had more difficulties than others in recruiting female candidates and that was why it had to become a law: “The LSAP is the party which finds it most difficult to recruit female candidates. At the last election, it only had 26% of female candidates on its list and only one woman was directly elected nationally. The DP was not in favour of this quota and the coalition agreement was that at the next election, there would be a

transitional agreement where the fines would not be totally enforced.

Another incoherence: the law only applies to national and [European Parliament] elections.”

The DP has no mention of quotas or gender representation in its internal party statutes.

The LSAP’s statutes only require that in most of its boards--such as its advisory council and electoral committee--both genders are represented.

In the executive committee (Parteileitung) of 23 members, one has to be a delegate from the Luxembourg Women’s Socialists group (FSL). The Green

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" WOMEN DO NOT YET HAVE THE RENOWN, THE HIGH PROFILE THAT MEN HAVE IN THE PUBLIC’S PERCEPTION, AT ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSIONS OR ON TV."

party had always had a gender quota and was therefore wholly in favour.

The CSV has a section on gender equality which sets out its goals on representation in its 2015 statutes.

Andrich explained: “The CSV was the first of the big parties to introduce in its statutes a quota of 33% on a voluntary basis. At the last party congress, we decided that this needed to be applied in every constituency, because until now we had a national average as well.” The CSV was also against the introduction of fines, favouring an incentive scheme, and hence abstained.

Does this mean that women are automatically more likely to get elected and the country will see a more balanced parliament in 2018?

No, because the Grand Duchy’s electoral system has two peculiarities which give voters considerable freedom to pick and choose from different party lists. Luxembourg has open party lists, which means that parties do not decide the ranking of candidates; instead there is one leading candidate and the rest of the candidates are ranked alphabetically. This means that parties cannot promote someone to the top of the list, making

him or her more likely to get elected.

Secondly, there is panachage (not unlike the infamous drink where beer is mixed with Coke or Sprite--called panaché): it means that voters can pick and choose candidates from several party lists and mix together their personal preferences.

Angel argued that it could at times be cruel: “It’s about who people know, who smiles best, who is most likeable--not who is competent. Over the past ten years, most of the people who ended up last in the ballots were brilliant people. They were hugely competent, but maybe were not as well known, were not in sports, not present at every local fest or funeral.”

Andrich agreed: “Looking at election results, the panachage is decisive for the ranking of the elected MPs. Voters still choose known personalities, whether male or female, but since we don’t have that many female candidates, fewer women are automatically elected because the degree of name recognition is still a major factor. Women do not yet have the notoriety, the degree of publicity that men have in the public perception, at round tables or on TV. 76% of news is dominated by men in Luxembourg, according to a survey. The stereotypes still play a big role.”

Both Andrich and Angel said that a change in mentality was necessary to have more women engaged in politics.

PARTY FINANCING The law on the financing of political parties specifies that at least 24 out of 60 candidates must be of the underrepresented gender. Their financial grant by the state will be diminished by 5% for every candidate below 24.

For the European Parliament elections, parties need to put three women on the list out of six candidates.

However, this law will only be fully applied in 2023.

AGREEMENT ON EQUAL PAY Both also agreed that the most important aspect of this law was that equal work should get equal pay. Previously, this was set by a regulation, but now it is set in law and there are sanctions for employers who contravene it, ranging from €251 to €25,000. While this represents an advance for gender equality, it remains to be seen how it is implemented in practice, especially the supervision of equal pay.

February 2017

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CURRENT AFFAIRS

February 2017

IN FOCUS

Photography by PATRICK GALBATS

HUNT FOR VINYL

ROCKHAL, 11 DECEMBER Music lovers from across the Grand Duchy and Greater Region headed to the 13th International Record Fair to search out collectable 33s, 45s, CDs, books and memorabilia. During his early afternoon visit, Patrick Galbats, Delano’s photographer, was “impressed by the silence”; there was no music being played at the venue.

While that left punters uninfluenced by any particular musical style, Galbats reckons that jazz and “older” alternative rock were the most popular racks. There was also “beautiful light” streaming from outside into the hall, the photographer says, “so I was happy”. AG February 2017

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UPFRONT

BUSINESS CACTUS GOES UNDERGROUND

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OPENING DAY A. Cactus Howald manager Claude Ganser, who started with the chain 32 years ago when he was 17, speaks with Delano’s Jess Bauldry B. and D. Staff members help customers and work in the stockroom C. The empty overground shop is barely recognisable without its displays E. Customer Léonie Strëff said: “I think it’s well done. It’s OK for the short-term” F. “I couldn’t find everything I wanted the first time but you have to get used to that,” said Josiane Hoffmann Search for “Cactus goes underground” on www.delano.lu

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WILBUR ROSS

Donald Trump’s nominee for US commerce secretary agreed to resign from Luxembourg steel giant ArcelorMittal’s board of directors in order to take up the cabinet post. He also sits on the boards of Grand Duchy-based International Automotive Components and Compagnie Européenne de Wagons.

February 2017

BILLION The amount raised in a government bond sale on 25 January.

It was the first time Luxembourg tapped the debt markets since 2014.

The country will run a budget deficit of more than €800m this year. www.mf.public.lu

COST OF "VICE"

Percent of weekly income needed for a basket of alcohol, cigarettes and illicit drugs, for select countries, according to Bloomberg News.

100% of weekly income

Luxembourg 12.7% Switzerland 15.6% Belgium 19.3% Chile 22.8% Nepal 1,319% Burkina Faso 1,353% Ukraine 1,400% Moldova 1,534%

US Congress

Luxembourg supermarket chain Cactus took a bold step, closing its Howald store for a week to move to a temporary site in its former underground car park. The closure paid off when shoppers returned on 25 January to a larger and more spacious shop. “It makes me happy they have come back and are curious to explore the place,” manager Claude Ganser said. The temporary store will be used for the next 18 months while the old shop undergoes major renovations. The new site includes a florists and café area. The small shops and services which were formerly housed in the entrance of the old shop, including Mister Minit, K Kiosk, Orange, 5àSec and Voyages Weber, have moved to container buildings located in the original open-air car park, where the grill stand is also found.

JANE BARTON The head of what used to be called European Management Assistants Luxembourg talks about the group’s new name and global ambitions.

CATCHING UP WITH…

European Council

TICKER

Rakuten, a big Japanese e-commerce and fintech group, launched a pan-European commercial banking unit based in Luxembourg. >>> During a visit in Luxembourg, the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, said Brexit could spark the EU to introduce more corporate tax harmonisation, although “that won’t be a simple process”. >>> The European Commission president, JeanClaude Juncker (pictured), said the EU and New Zealand could strike a free trade deal in “two to three years”. >>> More than 3m passengers flew through Findel airport in 2016, 12% more than the previous year and up from roughly 2m in 2013. >>> As part of a US expansion, Ceratizit, a Mamer-based cutting tools manufacturer, bought a majority stake in Best Carbide Cutting Tools, which employs around 90 in the Los Angeles area. >>> Amazon will soon settle an e-book price-fixing probe with EU regulators, according to Bloomberg; it otherwise faces fines of up to 10% of global turnover. >>> Blackstone and Carlyle, two US private equity funds, plan to set up shop in Luxembourg in order to keep their EU financial “passports” following Brexit, reports Bloomberg. >>> Luxembourg’s Fonds de compensation, a public pension fund manager, will blacklist investments in the German carmaker Volkswagen following the “Dieselgate” emissions cheating scandal, says the Financial Times.

Out with the old, in with the new: “EUMA Luxembourg” was formally rebranded as “International Management Assistants Luxembourg” during the association’s New Year reception in the city centre.

“The decision was taken last year to change the name to better reflect our international scope, as we already have non-European members and increasingly receive requests for membership,” explains Jane Barton, national chairman. Founded in 1974 by Sonia Vanular, “who at the age of 95 is an honorary member who still attends international meetings and is an inspiration to us all,” IMA has around 75 individual and corporate members in Luxembourg and over 2,000 worldwide, spread across 29 countries.

It represents a strong community of people doing the same sort of job. Barton says: “Found somewhere between top management and the rest of the team or company, an assistant’s role is often underestimated and can be quite lonely. It is interesting and reassuring to be a part of a group of people who can share best practices and give tips to one another confidentially.

It is fantastic to have a network to rely on when you are in need of support, and likewise to be able to give support to others.”

For example, later this year IMA will hold training days on business ethics; in Antwerp in April and then in The Hague in September. There is also an emphasis on social and cultural events, as well as corporate social responsibility: “We are planning further events with Caritas Luxembourg involving many of our corporate members, who are delighted to help us help others!”

In addition, IMA aids companies seeking to recruit management support professionals. “Some of our members are recruitment firms and divulge the competencies they are looking for. We use this information to determine what kind of training sessions to organise in order to stay ahead of the game,” states Barton. “Quite simply, we are a non-profit here to promote the profession and to encourage people to benefit from our network.” jane.barton@mindforest.com www.lu.ima-network.org Text by SARAH PITT Photography by LALA LA PHOTO February 2017

BUSINESS

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NETWORKING

Text by JESS BAULDRY

Photography by LALA LA PHOTO

MILESTONE YEAR FOR BRITISH CHAMBER

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017 will be a silver year for the British Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg as it hosts four special events to celebrate its 25th anniversary. The first was a dinner in the dark event at the beginning of February, Alison Macleod, the chamber’s chairman, explained at the New Year’s reception at the residence of the British ambassador to Luxembourg in January.

Details of the other celebratory events have yet to be confirmed although it is expected that they will take place in June, September and December. After two years at the helm of the chamber, Macleod also announced that she will not be seeking re-election at the next annual general meeting in April.

“It’s been an amazing two years at the British Chamber of Commerce. We’ve had such wonderful events,” she told Delano. Macleod noted that in the last year alone the chamber organised 21 events with 1,400 attendees.

MEMBERS ONLY A. Attendees listen to UK ambassador John Marshall B. Graeme Keay, Mike Hitchman and Henry Munster C. Atte Suominen, Tatiana Stoitchkova and Nadine Bogelmann-Kaiser D. Iris Straube, Philip Taylor, David Evans and Daniel Eischen E. Francis Hoogewerf (centre) F. Laetitia Borucki and Jonathan Norman G. Francisco Malpica (on right) H. John Marshall, UK ambassador to the Grand Duchy, and Alison Macleod, chair of the British Chamber of Commerce for Luxembourg (www.bcc.lu)

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Search for “British chamber” on www.delano.lu

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February 2017

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DELANO ADVERTORIAL

FOCUSED AND DEDICATED LEGAL ADVICE Providing comprehensive, independent corporate legal services in highly personal fashion sets GSK Luxembourg apart.

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lexibility and being close to the client is how GSK Luxembourg stands out in Luxembourg’s crowded business-service market place. “Not only are our lawyers skilled in a variety of fields, but we dedicate a team of just two, maximum three people to each project,” Dr Peter explained.

He understands that clients want senior people working on their files, so each team features a partner with an associate. “This way our lawyers build strong relationships with clients, enabling quick appropriate responses,” he added.

This multidisciplinary approach results in seamless legal advice. For example, in a private equity project, a focused team accompanies the client at every stage, rather than having

OUR LAWYERS BUILD STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH CLIENTS, ENABLING THEM TO RESPOND QUICKLY." DR MARCUS PETER

separate departments work on each aspect. GSK helps the client choose the correct fund structure and then set up the cross-border marketing passport. When the cash is in place, they assist the fund with investment into target entities, and this into different countries.

Other law firms might appoint teams of four or five, with individuals specialising by legal topic rather than per client. Being an independent firm allows GSK to tailor their offering February 2017

to individual needs, Dr Peter believes.

“It also helps that we are a young, enthusiastic team,” he added. It’s a formula that’s working. For example, they advised on €3bn private equity deals into Germany and Switzerland last year.

ALL-ROUNDERS GSK Luxembourg is a Grand Duchy all-rounder, based on the partners’ substantial experience of the country.

Although funds are naturally an important business, they do not over-specialise. Corporate structuring, private equity, capital markets, banking, regulatory, real estate, insurance and tax are also covered, with a company policy that all lawyers should have experience in as many areas as possible.

There is also a broad geographic focus, the lawyers of GSK Luxembourg are registered with the Luxembourg Bar and with other European or US Bars.

GSK have brought together a dynamic, multi-cultural team of lawyers with a strong capability to analyse complex legal scenarios from different perspectives, to find the best solutions to serve the interest of their clients.

“We have seen a change in the last five years in how Luxembourg can serve international clients in a variety of businesses,” noted Dr Peter. The exceptional ability to structure activities centrally and work cross border is the main pull factor, persuading international players to use Luxembourg as a central hub. The maturing of the business service sector has been a major factor, creating a world-class ecosystem in which businesses can find solutions. Regulations such as BEPS are also pushing businesses to take a centralised approach.

The financial services regulator, the CSSF and civil servants in the Finance Ministry have moved in step with this, Dr Peter explained. “Clients are often highly impressed about how

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well informed and reactive public officials are here,” he said. He believes criticism of the regulator for slowness is too harsh. “Very often it is incomplete or faulty applications to the CSSF that cause delays. If procedures are followed and all the supporting documentation is in place, they will often be able to react within days,” he argued. Although it was difficult in 2013/2014 when the new wave of regulation was being digested,

A. Dr Philipp Mößner (left) and Dr Marcus Peter (right), partners, GSK Luxembourg B. Mathilde Ostertag, local tax partner, GSK Luxembourg C. Andreas Heinzmann, partner, GSK Luxembourg

THE DIFFERENCE Small teams GSK Luxembourg has a unique, multidisciplinary approach. Small teams are dedicated to each client project, working from start to finish.

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the CSSF have hired and trained hundreds of new staff. “It’s never really a problem to talk to someone and get a quick decision on even quite complicated matters.”

A PLACE TO GROW GSK Luxembourg SA was founded in April 2016, an offshoot of the German group GSK Stockmann.

The group has six offices in Germany, one in Brussels and now a foothold

in Luxembourg, with more than 150 lawyers with outstanding reputations handling both national and international work for their clients. This firm is an investment fund and real estate specialist, so opening an office in Luxembourg was a natural move.

The firm is also part of the Broadlaw Group which encompasses five independent practices, giving a total of 600 lawyers in 26 cities around the world.

Growth has been rapid in the Grand Duchy, with the cast of lawyers rising from 3 to 20 in less than a year, and there are now four partners. A further three lawyers are set to join the team around the partners Marcus Peter, Philipp Mößner, Andreas Heinzmann and tax specialist Mathilde Ostertag in the coming months. “We haven’t lost any lawyers since we began, and this is partly because we are keen for our people to enjoy working here,” Dr Peter explained. As well as a challenging, multidisciplinary working environment, an atmosphere of trust and teamwork is fostered. If there are traffic problems or illness in the family, allowances are made. Also, every employee has an office of the same size, whether you are an intern or a partner. “We ask a lot of the lawyers, particularly their being on call, but our people seem to enjoy the responsibility and chance to learn.”

They had not expected such speedy growth, and they will seek to build on this with their flexible strategy based on their interdisciplinary and multi-country approach. More simply, Dr Peter summed it up as: “We always find a way to make things work.”

Seamless advice Project teams of generally two people always include one partner.

This facilitates tailor-made, seamless, expert advice delivered in a timely fashion.

This is driven by a policy of hiring skilled staff and a dedication to training.

Wide ability A broad-based firm in terms of practice area and geography.

Advice on investment funds, corporate structuring, private equity, capital markets, banking, regulatory, real estate, insurance, and tax is offered to clients from across Europe and beyond.

www.gsk.de/en/ gsk-luxembourg February 2017

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FUNDS

Text by STEPHEN EVANS

Photography by MIKE ZENARI

THE LONG GAME IN ASIA No doubt, Luxembourg’s fund industry and the rest of the financial sector are making progress in Asia. Although Europe remains the biggest market by far, players are making the long-term commitment they expect will bear fruit in decades to come. What is the current state of play?

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uxembourg is the leading cross-border fund domicile for the Asia-Pacific region. Of the 6,401 cross-border funds registered there, the Grand Duchy accounted for around three quarters at the end of 2015, according to the consulting firm PwC. Singapore was the largest market (2,063 Luxembourg-funds registered) followed

by Hong Kong (873), Macau (595) and Korea (391). This is the sector’s largest global market, but still it represents less than a one tenth of the figure for Europe.

This success is largely thanks to the EU’s Ucits regulation. These funds have a track record for being run centrally and distributed cross-border to different markets. Initially intended for Europe, this formula continues to gain ground in Asia and Latin America.

It has led Asian countries to seek to create their own cross-border fund “passports”. Two schemes are in place, but neither yet has found widespread market acceptance. It appears that the plans are driven by governments rather than the industry.

“Asian fund passports face obstacles for many reasons and have not yet been effective. You can’t compare the situation with that in the EU where there is a clear regulatory framework and a supranational authority to forge common agreement,” said Said Fihri of KPMG Luxembourg. By this he means the region lacks institutions such as the European Commission and the EU Court of Justice which February 2017

administer the rules and sort out knotty questions, such as tax.

Concerns about European domination of the Asian asset management market might be misplaced, as at the moment Ucits are used mainly as complementary, institutional vehicles.

Two thirds of major asset managers believe Ucits is and will continue to be the institutional product of choice, with local vehicles used for national, retail distribution. This figure comes from the Cross-border 2025: The Rise of Hong Kong survey of 52 global asset managers conducted by Brown Brothers Harriman in October 2016. The survey also pointed to increased popularity of Ucits over the next ten years, with 58% of respondents predicting an increase and 27% stability.

PROSPECTS FOR CHINA When speaking about Asia, it is the Chinese market that generates most speculation and anticipation. The Chinese authorities see Hong Kong as a gateway for investment into China. Four out of five in the survey said they believe there is at least a medium probability that Hong Kong will be a leading Asian cross-border fund domicile by 2025. The Mutual Recognition of Funds programme

between Hong Kong and mainland China is seen as a good start. As of 1 July 2015, fund managers have been able to distribute investment funds within the Hong Kong and mainland retail markets.

This complements the Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor scheme which features quotas allowing funds to invest directly into mainland China. Established in 2011, Luxembourg received an RMB50bn (€6.9bn) RQFII quota in April 2015. Now around 16 jurisdictions have a quota, but years later much of this still remains unused.

“Luxembourg has been quick to clarify with the Chinese authorities how the Luxembourg model works,” explained Stéphane Karolczuk, partner and head of the law firm Arendt & Medernach’s Hong Kong office. About half a dozen players have taken some of this quota, and Luxembourg Ucits are also using other countries’ quotas.

“The initial focus for RQFII funds in Luxembourg was for equities, and this has moved to fixed income, as well as money market and [exchange traded fund] products,” noted Michael Ferguson of the consultants EY, speaking in a panel discussion

JOSÉ-BENJAMIN LONGRÉE Chinese asset managers are still finding their footing in the EU

" IT WOULD BE A WASTE OF EFFORT AND DISCOURAGING TO RUSH TO LAUNCH FUNDS WITHOUT FULLY UNDERSTANDING THE EUROPEAN MARKET."

February 2017

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at the annual Luxembourg Renminbi Forum. He also saw movement into the full range of alternatives including hedge funds, real estate and private equity funds too. Institutional and private banking investors being the main clients.

Luxembourg is one of the main domiciles for fund investment into mainland China via this scheme. In the first six months of 2016, €672m of RQFII funds were domiciled here, said PwC. That equates to six times more than the rest of Europe put together. The Grand Duchy was the source of 23% of the fund assets being invested into China, using both its own quota and that of other jurisdictions.

MARKET NERVES This is encouraging stuff, but these are early days and quotas remain unexhausted. And the figures involved are relatively small. Even if all of RQFII quota had been taken up, this would amount to only 0.2% of all fund assets based here. The industry is aware of this being early days. In the BBH survey, most asset managers said less than 10% of their total assets under management come from Greater China.

However, it must be noted that this opening up occurred at the time of market turbulence in China, which has made investors nervous. “This is a long term project. It is important that this quota is available, and when the market becomes more buoyant it will be used,” Karolczuk said.

Further access of funds to mainland China investment is likely to come this year. Exchange traded funds domiciled in Hong Kong and mainland China are likely to receive the green light to benefit from the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect programme. This scheme came into force on 5 December 2016 and allows for mutual access between these two stock exchanges.

GROWTH EXPECTATIONS The BBH survey went on to point out that the Hong Kong market for retail funds in 2015 was $147bn, and February 2017

" YOU CAN’T COMPARE THE SITUATION WITH THAT IN THE EU WHERE THERE IS A CLEAR REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND A SUPRANATIONAL AUTHORITY TO FORGE COMMON AGREEMENT."

$1.3bn in mainland China. Those surveyed predicted these numbers would increase four times by 2015, of which northbound MRF would account for a quarter of a billion dollars. This sounds impressive, but in comparison, funds with $3.8bn of assets were domiciled in Luxembourg in December 2015.

Yet although there is much to be done, the implication is that Hong Kong is potentially at the stage Luxembourg and Dublin were at three decades ago. There is industry confidence, with 86% of those surveyed

by BBH thinking more MRF would open up to other domiciles by 2020.

Indeed, in December 2016, just after this survey was conducted, agreement was reached on an MRF with Switzerland. The survey report suggested Singapore, the EU and a post-Brexit UK were candidates for similar deals.

LONG TERM COMMITMENT REQUIRED Long term investment of time and money is required. “China requires patience and managers entering the region should not expect overnight success,” counselled the report from Brown Brothers Harriman. As well as choosing the right fund domicile, a clear distribution strategy is also

SAID FIHRI Asian “fund passports” have so far had minimal impact

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needed, as the “if we launch it, investors will come” approach has been shown not to work. Banks are the primary channel in Greater China, rather than the advisory model most managers are used to. Regulation and speed of regulation in Hong

Kong and elsewhere are also concerns, with a balance needed between firmness and openness.

So what about Chinese asset managers accessing Europe? The eight Chinese banks in Luxembourg are here partly to benefit from local fund

" THE INITIAL FOCUS FOR RQFII FUNDS IN LUXEMBOURG WAS FOR EQUITIES."

February 2017

administration expertise. Yet to date Chinese asset managers have had little impact in Europe. “It would be a waste of effort and discouraging to rush to launch funds without fully understanding the European market,” advised José-Benjamin Longrée of PwC. Work is needed to understand clients, what strategies would work, and which distribution channels would suit. “There is definitely an appetite for complementary investment strategies,” he added.

OTHER ASIAN ALTERNATIVES There has been movement with Australia looking to work more actively with Luxembourg. At the moment there is almost no Ucits activity there.

The Association of the Luxembourg Fund Industry negotiated an exemption from the obligation to hold an Australian financial services licence to provide financial services. The exemption applies to Chapter 15 management companies and Ucits self-managed Sicav funds supervised by Luxembourg’s financial regulator, the CSSF. “This new development will enable Luxembourg Ucits management companies to approach Australian institutional investors, including superannuation funds, in a much easier way,” noted Karolczuk. “Among the conditions needed to gain an exemption, the relevant financial services must be provided to institutional investors only and these financial services must be regulated by an overseas regulatory authority considered equivalent by Australian authorities, such as the CSSF,” he added. The CSSF signed a memorandum of understanding with Australian authorities on those topics some years back.

Yet if some places are only just opening the door, other markets will remain off limits for cross-border funds for the foreseeable future. Only the more economically liberal countries have got involved, but major economies such as Indonesia, Thailand and particularly India remain off limits, due to governmental and regulatory resistance. Possibly China opening up would change the weather in these markets.

MICHAEL FERGUSON Luxembourg alternative funds have started to gain some traction with Chinese investors

CLOSER, SLOWLY Luxembourg’s interest in China continues to be reciprocated. Two more banks (China Everbright Bank and the Shanghai Pudong Development Bank) announced last October their planned arrival; moves which will bring the total to eight. The announcement was the highlight of a major financial trade mission to the region featuring 110 senior industry players. This also resulted in the signature of memorandums of understanding between the respective trade promotion bodies (Shanghai Financial Association and Luxembourg for Finance), the Insurance Association of China and the Luxembourg Insurance and Reinsurance Association (ACA), as well as new links between the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the Bank of Communications, China Merchants Bank and Qianhai Financial Holdings.

ASIA-PACIFIC ROADSHOW The Association of the Luxembourg Fund Industry will hold promotional seminars in Singapore on 10 March, in Sydney on 13 March, and Melbourne on 14 March. www.alfi.lu

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TECHNOLOGY

Text by MARTINE HUBERTY

Photography by MARION DESSARD

IS UBER COMING TO LUXEMBOURG? The American “on demand mobility” firm is testing the waters in the Grand Duchy. But there may be a few roadblocks in its path.

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ber: tap a button, get a ride.

The app that connects drivers and riders has made over $17bn worldwide and disrupted the way we think about transportation. Via the app, you can see the ride options, price and wait time; you choose a car and the driver picks you up within minutes. You don’t need to call, you pay by card automatically and you can rank your driver afterwards.

Hugely successful in the US, the company faces significant challenges in European countries and provides serious headaches to policy-makers. Taxi drivers have protested against Uber in London, Paris, Milan and Berlin because Uber’s drivers are not held to the same standards as other car services and taxis. Taxi drivers need a licence to own a taxi, a driver’s licence and a taxi driver’s licence.

LEGAL BATTLES These licences are costly and regulated.

Many cities have argued this creates unfair competition because Uber is not bound by strict local licensing and safety rules. Uber says it is a digital platform that connects willing drivers with customers and is not a transportation service; it insists its drivers are self-employed.

Policy-makers and courts struggle between the desire to protect a regulated industry and the need for technological innovation. In Denmark, the Supreme Court upheld a ruling to fine six Uber drivers for violating the taxi laws, and prosecutors have charged the company’s regional hub in the Netherlands against illegal business. Germany, February 2017

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Belgium and France have taken action against it--even banning various of its services.

The question is whether Uber is a transportation service or a digital platform. The European Court of Justice, located in Kirchberg, has been asked to rule on this matter in a case originally filed by a Barcelona taxi drivers’ association, and is expected to give its ruling around April this year. This question is important from a legal standpoint because, if it is a tech company, it must be allowed to operate unhindered throughout the EU. If it’s a transportation service, a country can make it subject to an “authorisation scheme”.

SHARING ECONOMY The arguments from both sides are convincing. On the one side, Uber is not a taxi firm because it doesn’t own or lease the vehicles involved in its operation: Uber is not in the business of physically conveying people from

point A to point B. On the other side, Uber charges customers for transportation rather than intermediation.

If the ECJ rules it’s a taxi company, it will not necessarily have negative implications for the sharing economy--these companies will just be subject to national regulations. This means every country can decide how to regulate each sharing economy platform--it may decide that Airbnb is subject to the same regulations as a hotel, but that Uber should be considered as a digital platform or vice versa.

DIGITAL TALK A., J. and N. The “Disrupted or Disrupter” conference organised

by Deloitte, a consultancy, on 19 December 2016 at Rotondes in LuxembourgBonnevoie

" WHY DO WE LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE EVERYONE HAS A CAR?" PIERRE-DIMITRI GORE-COTY

B. Pascal Martino of Deloitte Luxembourg (speaking) C. Luc Brucher D. Nasir Zubairi (centre) E. Roger Lampach and Marc Halmes F. Xavier Bettel, Luxembourg’s prime minister, spoke about the need to create the right conditions for tech startups G. Uber’s PierreDimitri Gore-Coty described how the firm has disrupted the taxi business H. Andrea Orlandi (on right) I. Andra Fola (centre), Pedro Barata (right)

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The European Commission is rather in favour of the sharing economy and has advised that companies’ activities should only be banned “as a last resort”.

In the US, some states classify Uber and its competitors as transportation companies, and have required that they obtain the appropriate licences and insurance. California has created a special regulatory category of “transportation network companies”.

Faced with these challenges both in the courts and on the streets, Uber has changed its strategy and gone on a charm offensive. “A lot of people from Luxembourg have been trying to access and sign up to Uber over the past few months,” according to Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty, the firm’s head of operations for EMEA. “We hope that by having a dialogue with policymakers, we will be able to provide better mobility to the city and the country.” Uber approached the Luxembourg government last year about offering its services.

Gore-Coty held a presentation on a “new era of mobility” in Luxembourg during the “Disrupted or Disrupter” conference, organised by the consulting firm Deloitte, in December. His message was to promote Uber as a company which is increasing economic productivity, helping the environment, helping people in their mobility, and reducing car accidents and fatalities. Congestion and traffic February 2017

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jams are legendary in the Grand Duchy: “Luxembourg has the highest individual car ownership levels in the EU: more than 600 cars per 1,000 inhabitants--the 6th largest car ownership in the world. This results in a loss of 1% of EU GDP because of traffic!”

PROMOTING UBER IN LUXEMBOURG He addressed an issue which is particularly relevant in the Grand Duchy, where small villages and suburbs are not well served through public transport: “Why do we live in a world where everyone has a car? The answer is simple: public transport cannot make it to everyone’s doorstep.

In many cities around the world, people have no choice but to drive to get to work. If you can offer an alternative to car ownership and ride sharing at scale, cities will look fundamentally different to today: less traffic, lower pollution, people will have better access to transportation and spend less of their time commuting, less of their income buying cars.” He added: “Our main business is when people are going out at night, and that is often when public transport is not available anymore, taxis are busy, expensive or simply not available, but that is also the time when you don’t want people to drive their own cars after a few drinks. We have seen a tangible impact: the rate of accidents has dropped by 5% in California since Uber [has operated] there. Another impact is how these apps are complementing public transport.”

Gore-Coty admitted that these rather lofty ideals were not what the founders of Uber had in mind: “The idea was to create an app where a car would come at the press of a button. Then they started to realise that the transportation status quo that exists today in the cities was inefficient, ineffective and in many instances unequal. The good news is that there is an alternative to cities which look more and more like parking lots characterised by traffic. This alternative is possible when you are February 2017

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able, through an app for instance, to create a reliable and affordable alternative to individual car ownership, a way that allows people to get to and from their house and potentially even cheaper than using your own car and that is what Uber is about.”

In response to a parliamentary question in November 2016, the minister for sustainable development and infrastructure, François Bausch, stated that talks had been held with the firm. Questions were raised relating to the law on taxis, employment law, social security and taxation.

He indicated that the Luxembourg legislation may, under certain conditions, enable the offer of some Uber services.

The company’s UberX and UberPop services are unlikely to be offered in Luxembourg--both violate the traffic code.

LOCAL RULES UberTaxi could be considered a traditional taxi service. Uber would have to comply with the law on the organisation of taxi services. Either the taxi company or the drivers themselves have to request a taxi licence. Such a process can take months.

The number of taxi licences in the Grand Duchy is strictly limited.

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K. Peter Randall of Setl, a blockchain payments technology firm L. Bart de Liefde and Max Nilles M. Hannes Sjöblad, a “biohacker-tech activist”, spoke about how body chip implants can monitor and ultimately help improve your health

O. Hans van Grieken of Deloitte Netherlands, who moderated the conference P. Gwenaël Gavray, Adel Nabhan and Romain Mary Q. Selvaraj Alagumalai and Henk Van Eldik R. Diane Tea, Hannes Sjöblad and Gavin Hodgson S. Benoît Paquay and Didier Richter T. Peter Randall

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It must not exceed 1.5 taxis per 1,000 inhabitants; in the centre of the country, for instance, the number of taxi licences is limited to 290.

This more “traditional” Uber service may be implemented in Luxembourg, but it will take time.

Gore-Coty stated: “I have seen very few policymakers or government officials listen to this story and say: no we don’t want that.

Most of them say: that is interesting, we see that is the way the future is headed and what it can bring. But they also wonder, which is totally fair, how do we manage the transition, what is at stake with existing jobs? We have to explain how we can go through that transition together. Lots of countries find very pragmatic solutions.”

Indeed, Uber presents many advantages to a country like Luxembourg, where taxis are expensive. People who live in suburbs or remote areas are too reliant on their cars and this cannot be solved through increased public transportation alone.

Search for “Uber” on www.delano.lu

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CAR SHARING François Bausch, Luxembourg’s transport minister, says the government is trying to develop a comprehensive service for getting around the country.

Carloh, the car sharing app (97% owned by the City of Luxembourg), is one way of having fewer cars on the road and alleviates parking problems. Vel’oh!, the bike rental service, is also offered around the capital. Outside the city, there is City Mov’, a service which offers electric cars and bikes in Hesperange, Diekirch and Ettelbruck. Bausch has announced a car sharing app which will be launched in the summer this year. Furthermore, night trains are now operating on a trial basis on weekends.

For links, search for “car sharing” on www.delano.lu February 2017

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BUSINESS

Text by JESS BAULDRY

Photography by MIKE ZENARI

TREADING NEW GROUND The Iran and Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Iralux) was founded in 2015 at the start of UN negotiations to remove sanctions against Iran. Executive members talk to Delano about the progress made to develop business between the two countries.

EUROHUB SUD

Work has begun on a bridge linking a logistics and multimodal site in southern Luxembourg by end 2017.

The 185m structure between Dudelange and Bettembourg should enable easier road access.

Search for “Eurohub Sud” on www.delano.lu

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ne year after crippling UN Security Council sanctions against Iran were lifted, positive things are happening between Luxembourg and Iran, says Iralux.

“We’re in the preliminary stage.

There are investors thinking of using Luxembourg to invest in Europe,” Iralux executive board member Mahmoud Koutchesfahani explains.

There appears to be a strong interest from both the government and private sector, with several exchanges and seminars in the past two years.

The last economic mission from Luxembourg visited Iran in October 2016, with a delegation of 76 people representing 40 companies. “The outcome on the political and commercial level was extremely positive,” Koutchesfahani says of the visit.

Another improvement is the ease of access to obtain travel visas in Luxembourg and Iran, with which the chamber can assist by verifying a firm is legitimate.

February 2017

But, not everything is rosy. Fellow board member Hassan Khalili-Araghi states: “It still takes time.” Iran has huge potential, with billions of US dollars from Iran frozen around the world. And potential business opportunities span a wide range of sectors, including anything from the financial sector to pharmaceuticals, agriculture and manufacture.

Koutchesfahani says: “Therefore companies everywhere in Europe, even in the US, are pushing, lobbying in favour of relaxing sanctions or removing all of the barriers to be able to work with Iran.”

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GROUNDBREAKING A. Étienne Schneider, the deputy prime minister (holding air horn) B. Part of the 185-metre Eurohub Sud bridge C. Touring the site

www.Iralux.lu

IRALUX BOARD MEMBERS Hassan Khalili-Araghi and Mahmoud Koutchesfahani in a portrait taken at Delano’s offices

"THIS IS A BIG WORRY FOR EUROPE" PIERRE GRAMEGNA

Luxembourg’s finance minister on the prospect of the newly elected US president, Donald Trump, introducing trade protection measures. He was speaking during a Bloomberg TV interview on 13 January, several days before Trump took office.

Maison Moderne

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EXPAT WOMEN WEDNESDAY 29 MARCH

R EG ISTR AT I O R EQ N UIR ED PA P AT ERJ AM. CLU B

Ten expatriates. Ten women who came to Luxembourg and met professional success. They will tell their story and share their journey.

How did they end up in Luxembourg? What did they find here that they didn’t have in their homelands? Ten inspiring stories of women giving voice to the expat experience in Luxembourg.

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JOSÉE LYNDA DENIS

DANIELA KLASEN-MARTIN

CATHERINE LARUE

CAROLINA LAZO

LISA MCLEAN

Funds Partnership

Crestbridge

Ara City Radio

Italy & Sweden

Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH)

Architect

Canada

Venezuela

UK

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France

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YVONNE O’REILLY

KAVITHA RAMACHANDRAN

ROSA VILLALOBOS

EKATERINA VOLOTOVSKAYA

DENISE VOSS

Avanteam Consult

Maitland Group

Macquarie Infrastructure & Real Assets

Deloitte

Alfi

Ireland

India

Spain

Russia

USA

VENUE Centre Culturel Tramsschapp Luxembourg-Limpertsberg PARKING 72-74, avenue Pasteur Luxembourg-Limpertsberg

AGENDA 18:30 Welcome cocktail 19:00 Welcome speech 19:15 10 speakers 20:25 Walking & networking dinner

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BUSINESS

February 2017

INTERVIEW

Text by DUNCAN ROBERTS

Photography by MIKE ZENARI

"IT’S BEEN FASCINATING…" Before he left his post on the same day that Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States, US ambassador to Luxembourg David McKean found time to talk about TTIP, broader transatlantic relations and the challenges facing the European Union, as well as his own future plans.

Duncan Roberts: What achievements are you most proud of during your short tenure in Luxembourg and what did you personally enjoy about your time in Luxembourg?

David McKean: The highlight was clearly secretary [of state John] Kerry’s visit. I can take some credit for that, but not all. I think the secretary believed it was important to visit Luxembourg and to demonstrate that as a member of the EU and Nato it is an important country. We had a very full year. Every month we had a major event and the ongoing work of the embassy.

Is there anything that you regret not having had the time to achieve?

One thing I did a lot in the fall was to visit high schools in anticipation of the election. I talked to a lot of students. That was something I wanted to continue to do, there were a few dozen more schools I would have loved to have had the opportunity to visit. The kids in this country are quite sophisticated and quite worldly, and I got lots of good questions wherever I went. It was interesting to have a better understanding of their perception of the United States.

Has being in Luxembourg given you a new perspective on the EU and transatlantic relations?

I don’t think it changed my perspective as much as deepened it. I’d spent a fair amount of time in Europe before,

so I think I knew it quite well. The time here reinforced my view that we have so much more in common in terms of values and aspirations than that which separates us.

It’s a relationship that we can’t take for granted. You always have to pay attention and to nurture that.

Two months after the presidential election, how has reaction to the result been in Luxembourg?

People here know that I’m a political appointee of president Obama and that I’m a close friend to secretary Kerry. I think both of them were greatly admired, not just in Luxembourg but in Europe in general. To their credit, I think a lot of people in Luxembourg, as in the United States, are waiting to see what the Trump agenda will be. Because we don’t know.

How do you think the Trump administration will approach the United States’ relationship with the European Union?

It’s difficult to know. Bear in mind that the very first visit secretary Kerry made as secretary of state was to Europe. It sent a very important signal to Europeans that he and the president understood how critical our relationship is with the EU.

It will be interesting to see where Rex Tillerson goes first. That will give a first glimpse of how they are viewing their priorities. President Trump has not said much about the EU. He has talked about Nato, and has said what has been the Obama policy for eight years, and that is that member nations have to step up to the plate and provide a greater percentage of their GDP to the collective defence of Europe. Now, Trump has said it in a much louder and harsher tone, but it is essentially the same policy.

Given president-elect Trump’s statements on free trade and the uncertainty in Europe, with elections in France and Germany this year, is TTIP dead in the water or could it be revived?

Congress had an opportunity at the end of last year to ratify the transpacific partnership. It was an agreement that it had fully negotiated and had a lot of support only a year ago.

It was an important agreement I think. It involved not only the eight Asian countries but also five Latin and North American countries. The fact that multilateral trade agreement was not passed sent a very strong signal, I think, that the future of

DAVID MCKEAN The former ambassador hopes to stay involved in the public policy arena

" IF YOU’RE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN NEGOTIATIONS, YOU HAVE TO SOMEHOW ENSURE THAT EVERYONE’S A WINNER." February 2017

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" THERE IS CLEARLY A POWERFUL UNDERCURRENT OF CHANGE THAT IS REVERBERATING AROUND THE WORLD."

A NEW US AMBASSADOR? There has so far been no news of a possible nomination by president Donald Trump of a successor to David McKean as United States ambassador to Luxembourg.

Indeed, as of 26 January the Trump administration had only made one appointment, Nikki Haley, as ambassador to the United Nations, and two nominations (the ambassadorships to China and Israel), while a further 57 ambassador posts stood vacant.

February 2017

TTIP is in serious jeopardy. That was a big mistake, in my view.

One of the things it did, from a geostrategic point of view, was that it sent a very strong message to the Chinese that the United States was going to continue to be a major player in Pacific trade. At some point had they been able to meet the necessary labour and environmental standards, they would have been welcomed.

But congress punted on it and the president opposes it. So given that, I don’t think TTIP has any chance of being revived any time soon.

And again, I don’t think we really understand how president Trump is going to approach the issue of trade.

He talks about wanting good trade agreements, but that almost seems to suggest he wants one-sided trade agreements. If you’re going to be successful in negotiations, you have to somehow ensure that everyone’s a winner. And that’s very, very difficult… but necessary.

Do you think the election result in the United States, and the vote by the UK to leave the EU, will have an impact on the elections in France and Germany?

Everybody is speculating about this because there is a global populist movement; a rejection of what many view as elite governments, what many view as failed policies of the status quo. There is clearly a powerful undercurrent of change that is reverberating around the world. It was briefly checked in Austria in December.

I think it would be devastating if Merkel is not re-elected to the chancellorship, because she has been a very, very important source of stability for Europe these past few years.

Are you optimistic about the future of the EU? What do you think it needs to do to regain the trust of its citizens?

President Obama said in his speech in Hanover last April that it is remarkable how the European Union has achieved since its inception. It has grown into an organisation of 28 countries, single currency. But most importantly it has provided a real measure of stability and coexistence in Europe.

However, beginning in 2008 with the global financial crisis, it’s being tested in some very, very serious ways. I think Europeans are going to have to do a lot of soul searching and give a lot of thought about what the European Union means to them. Because there is always this difficult balance between the self-interest and sovereignty of nations and the collective security and well-being of the union. People have to decide if they can have both and how they can have both. I believe they can, but it’s going to require some compromise. So, it’s a word I don’t like, but I think Europe is at an inflection point.

Do you think Europe has the right leadership at the moment?

Well, again that remains to be seen.

I think Merkel is critical to this-Germany is in the strong position.

There are strong leaders in Europe, but there are others who are more narrowly focused and are perhaps not providing the national or Europe-wide leadership that is required.

If more leaders were stepping up to the plate, Europe would be in a better position. It’s that simple. We don’t have enough support for the union at the moment.

Was the job everything you expected it to be?

Actually it’s been an absolutely wonderful experience. The issues are interesting, whether they be Europewide or focused on Luxembourg. The people are interesting. It’s been fascinating peeling back the layers of Luxembourg and getting to know a broader section of society.

I’ve loved visiting the different parts of the country. It’s diverse in a lot of ways--not just the people representing 170 countries, but geographically from the Mullerthal to the Moselle, it’s got incredible landscapes.

Finally, what does the future hold for you professionally? Are you planning to write another book?

I’ve been in government and politics now for 25 years. I think our country is very divided at the moment. We’ve got some serious struggles ahead.

I don’t know exactly what I’m going to do, but I hope to stay very involved in the public policy arena. I think it’s too important.

The whole World War II experience here has been incredibly eye-opening.

I’ve been developing a screenplay with a friend. It’s about a man and woman who escaped from Auschwitz and were separated. They both survived the war and were reunited 40 years later. An incredible story.

I’ve also been looking at the story of Camp Ashcan, which was in Mondorf where the German high command were put as prisoners after the war. It’s a sort of precursor to the Nuremberg trials, but it’s not a very well-known part of the postwar history. One of my predecessors, John E. Dolibois, was one of the lawyers involved in questioning Goering and others. I always like to have a project.

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Text by DUNCAN ROBERTS

Photography by LALA LA PHOTO

AN EMOTIONAL FAREWELL

SNAPSHOTS

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he American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg’s farewell luncheon for ambassador David McKean at the Cercle Munster was attended by around 80 guests. “It is a happy occasion to see everyone here, but also a sad occasion to say goodbye to someone who we all love and appreciate,” said Amcham chairman Paul Schonenberg.

The ambassador warned that he may be a little bit provocative at times. “I know that is unusual for an ambassador, but I’m leaving in three days so I’m not that worried about getting fired,” he quipped. Addressing four key foreign policy areas--the Iran nuclear deal, climate change, Nato and the European Union, and Russia--the ambassador challenged the veracity and intention of Trump’s statements to date.

In an emotional farewell, speaking for himself and his wife Kathleen Kaye, McKean wrapped up by saying that although people often referred to Luxembourg as a small country, “ironically it has made our world a lot bigger”. www.amcham.lu

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AMCHAM LUNCHEON A. Susan Farrell, Kathleen Kaye and Mary Rose De Vries B. Belgian ambassador Thomas Antoine and Vincent Bechet C. Christian Barkei, Nicholas Pnevmatikakis and Michel Bulach D. Paul Schonenberg, former US ambassador David McKean and US chargé d’affaires Alison ShorterLawrence E. Roger Behrend, Will Bakker and Carla Rosen-Vacher F. Mary Rose De Vries and Annica Törneryd G. Vicki Hansen, Eva Moynihan, Roger Behrend and Torsten Reinhardt H. Francis Pedrini, Stéphane Compain and Francisco Malpica I. Antoine Rech and ChristianCharles Lauer Search for “Amcham farewell” on www.delano.lu

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FINANCE

Text by STEPHEN EVANS

Photography by MIKE ZENARI

TECH OUTSOURCING BILL MAKES WAVES Could thousands of IT jobs be at risk if draft law 7024 increases the ability of financial sector firms to outsource? Or does this just bring the law into line with on-going practice?

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inancial sector trade unions have predicted law 7024 could cause as many as 5,000 or even 13,000 jobs to be lost. Thierry Seignert, president of the IT employers’ organisation Finance & Technology Luxembourg, called the move “premature and risky”. Worrying comments, but do they match with reality?

“The provisions of draft law 7024 regarding outsourcing are not entirely new,” said Marc Mouton, a partner with the law firm Arendt & Medernach. “Already in 2003, the CSSF [Luxembourg’s financial regulator] published analysis according to which data may be transferred to third parties if there is customer consent, so this change is largely about the law catching up with reality,” he added. He was not in a position to make a guess about the impact of this change other than to challenge talk of a revolution.

OPENING UP COMPETITION Draft law 7024 features a range of measures around reforming professional secrecy rules, with this including novelties regarding IT outsourcing.

Firstly, data could be transferred to almost any regulated financial entity in Luxembourg in the context of a service agreement, not just to the support Financial Sector Professional firms, as specified in the 2003 IT outsourcing law, or to banks. However, the main changes regard the ability to transfer customer data in the context of outsourcing arrangements, either inside the same financial group or to a third party. Whilst for intra-group outsourcing schemes, February 2017

MARC MOUTON Many protection rules will remain in place under the pending legislation

the prior information of clients would be sufficient, the consent of clients would need to be sought where third-party service providers are used.

In both cases, there would have to be legal or contractual safeguards against data being used for other purposes by the recipients of the customer data.

This change is not as radical as it might appear, Mouton argued.

“We are only talking about reducing professional secrecy restrictions here, whilst data protection and regulatory requirements will still remain in force and continue to apply to outsourcing arrangements.” He believes the latter will remain a significant constraint on full-blown outsourcing.

Businesses will need sufficient experts in Luxembourg to reassure the CSSF that there is a sufficient level of IT governance, that crisis management procedures are workable, and that outsourced processes are being properly monitored.

Financial businesses have been seeking this legal certainty for some time, arguing that Luxembourg risks making itself uncompetitive if it persists with a stance that some see as protectionist. Better to risk losing some jobs to help preserve the majority, goes the argument. Moreover, there is a lack of skilled IT staff in the country. Some see the potential for a net win if others follow the likes of the banks Pictet and Julius Baer, which manage their group data from Luxembourg.

There are currently around 5,000 people working for support PFS firms, so it would seem unlikely that all these jobs would disappear even in the most extreme scenario. Mouton sees no rush to outsource on the back of this reform, but nor is it likely that this change will have no effect. But with several banks struggling to be profitable, it is a risk the government is willing to take.

548 pages packed full of business opportunities.

Now available on newsstands and on eshop.maisonmoderne.com

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AUTOMOTIVE

Text by MARTINE HUBERTY

Photography by MAISON MODERNE

NO CHILD’S GAME

GET THE PICTURE

THE CAR INDUSTRY

In Luxembourg, the automotive components sector employs approximately 9,000 staff in about 30 companies. [1] Here’s how the sector is picking up speed. www.automotivecomponents.lu

R&D HUB Many companies, such as Goodyear, IEE, Elth, Guardian and Delphi have major R&D centres in Luxembourg.

These technical centres employ approximately 2,000 people. [2]

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY In December 2016 IEE, a producer of sensing solutions, was awarded the Fedil Innovation Prize for VitaSense, the company’s sensing system to detect children left behind in vehicles and provide this information to the vehicle’s warning systems. [4]

February 2017

NEW INFRASTRUCTURE Plans for an “Automotive Campus” in Roost were unveiled in March 2016. It will contain the R&D facilities of several companies, common laboratories, conference rooms, exhibition rooms and restaurants. In the first phase, IEE and Goodyear will have a base there. [3]

UNI LINKS The University of Luxembourg has a dedicated research programme in vehicular software and sensor systems which currently runs ten projects in collaboration with numerous companies based in the Grand Duchy. [5]

LOCAL PRODUCTION Luxembourg-based companies provide an increasing number of automotive components and technologies including: engine management systems, air conditioning systems, carpets, interior coverings, occupant sensing systems, pedestrian protection systems, interior input devices, battery housings, temperature sensors, safety valves, steel and aluminium foil, and synthetic materials. [2]

[1] www.luxembourg.lu; [2] Luxembourg Board of Economic Development; [3] Economy Ministry; [4] IEE; [5] www.uni.lu

GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION All car manufacturers in Europe, such as BMW, Daimler-Chrysler, Fiat, Ford, PSA, Renault-Nissan, Toyota and VW use products that are “Made in Luxembourg”. Automotive components are also exported to assemblers in the US and Asia. [2]

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Text by MARTINE HUBERTY

WHY A EUROPEAN BAD BANK COULD BE GOOD The head of an EU banking agency floated a solution to the problem of toxic nonperforming loans during a talk in Luxembourg.

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uropean Banking Authority chairman Andrea Enria presented a proposal to create a European “bad bank” during a conference at the European Stability Mechanism in Kirchberg. Enria’s goal was to trigger a debate among policy makers on finding a solution to the problem of toxic non-performing loans.

Banks currently face several impediments to sustainability: NPLs (which is a misallocation of capital), costs (restructuring, regulations and IT spending), competition (from fintech, P2P and payment systems), and low interest rates (impacts investment margins). While interest rates are exogenous, and costs and competition require long-term planning, NPLs are urgent and actionable.

In total, the EU’s NPLs amount to over €1trn (5.4% of their loan books). A breakdown by countries from June 2016 shows that the percentage and actual value of NPLs of gross loans vary greatly: Italy has NPLs of 16.4% (or €276bn) out of its gross loan portfolio, Greece 46.9% (€115.1bn), Portugal 19.7% (€40.8bn), Ireland 14.6% (€32.8bn), Cyprus 47.4% (€21.4bn), Hungary 13.9% (€5.7bn), while Slovenia has 19.2% (€3.3bn) and Bulgaria has 13.7% (€2.4bn). Luxembourg has the lowest ratio of 1% (€2.2bn), along with Sweden (€10.9bn). The highest percentage of these NPLs stem from small and medium-sized enterprises (EU average of 16.7%), followed by large corporations (7.6%).

The International Monetary Fund considers a ratio of 5-10% of NPLs to have a significant adverse effect on banks’ abilities to lend. Along with

this comes weak economic growth.

Enria explains the market failures and impediments: banks have a low incentive to dispose of these loans as a loss; there is an information asymmetry between buyers and sellers on the quality of borrowers; and there is a first mover disadvantage.

"ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY" The EBA chairman proposes, therefore, to create a European bad bank (or an asset management company) to complete the recovery of European banks. A single EU AMC would provide more liquidity and an increased ability to deal with crises.

This AMC would take over and manage the sale of the loans. It would buy NPLs from banks at their “real economic value”--a level to be determined by the AMC. Individual shareholders would not be safeguarded and would bear a loss if these NPLs are sold at a lower price than the net book value. The EU Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive and state aid rules would still apply. There would be no burden sharing across EU member states; each country would bear the losses of its national banks.

Klaus Regling, managing director of the ESM, welcomed the proposal: “It does not foresee a mutualisation of risks, which politically is an advantage.” He noted that since the

crisis, financial integration has decreased: “Cross-border banking remains the exception rather than the rule and banks and their clients have a much stronger home bias today than before the crisis. This hinders economic risk-sharing and therefore makes the euro area economy less resilient.”

However, during the conference Regling identified a few stumbling blocks: corporate governance, funding and the role of governments. Furthermore the sheer size of the funds poses a problem. He suggested that this was a good start, but it would take time, politically and institutionally, to set up.

Indeed, in a year dominated by elections (in the Netherlands, France and Germany), this issue is more likely to be discussed in the back corridors and among officials rather than reach the consultation and negotiation stage.

" CROSS-BORDER BANKING REMAINS THE EXCEPTION RATHER THAN THE RULE." KLAUS REGLING

ANDREA ENRIA The European Banking Authority chairman speaks during a conference organised by the European Stability Mechanism in Kirchberg on 30 January

LESSONS FROM JAPAN European Banking Authority chair Andrea Enria warned the EU could face a longer period of low economic growth, or stagnation, than Japan in the 1990s, even though European bank’s non-performing loan recognition was faster than Japan’s. “Asset quality remains poor, with only slightly improving NPL ratio.”

February 2017

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Text by WENDY WINN

Photography by MIKE ZENARI

TRAVELLING CAREFREE REQUIRES SOME HOMEWORK Have you ever driven to work with the nagging worry that you forgot to turn off the coffee pot or shut the garage?

It’s even worse if you’re away on holiday. Worrying about a disaster or being robbed will rob you of some pleasure at the very least, and your peace of mind--not to mention all your earthly possessions--is worth protecting.

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And since people will be able to see inside the house, give them something to look at. “Have lights come on randomly with timers. The hallway light for 30 minutes, an upstairs light, the dining room. Someone scoping out your house will have second thoughts about breaking in.”

If these precautions don’t keep intruders from trying, make as much trouble for them as possible, says Lopes. “If it takes them more than three minutes to get in, they will not go in at all. Where possible, barricade doors from the inside with tables and other pieces of furniture. Close and lock all the interior doors between rooms. Put glass bottles and breakables on the windowsills, so that they will break noisily if someone opens the window from outside.” Get the idea?

It’s Home Alone, minus the BB gun and the microwavable mac ‘n’ cheese.

arco Lopes is a little like Kevin in the film Home Alone: he’s got plenty of ideas about how to trick thieves into thinking you’re home and thwart their efforts to get inside.

But he’s a lot more experienced and knowledgeable than young Kev! Co-director of Doucescal (www. monteescaliersluxembourg.eu), which specialises in adapting homes to meet impaired mobility needs, Lopes is a lot of people’s go-to guy for repairs, " MICE CAN GET IN THROUGH construction projects, renovations, THE SMALLEST OF CRACKS." lighting and more, which is why we NADINE EWERT asked him for some tips.

“Many people stop their mail, Of course, there are expert crooks but you also need to make sure out there, but there are also experts junk mail doesn’t pile up, which is at catching them. Lopes says you a clear sign that nobody’s home. can call on the police for help before Put a “no publicity” sticker on your anything happens, not just afterwards. mailbox or ask a neighbour to “Tell the police when you’ll be away empty it for you regularly,” Lopes and give them your address, and advises. “Garbage bins left out are they’ll provide some surveillance,” also a sign that no one’s home, so he says. A patrol car drive-by is good make sure that someone brings preventative medicine. “Also tell them in. Ask someone to set your your commune, especially in the bins out on the garbage day too, winter. They will shovel your paveeven if they’re empty.” ment if it snows, just like they do for older people and for empty and abandoned homes.”

OUTSMART THIEVES “Another sure sign that nobody’s home is when all the blinds are closed. TURN OFF TAPS, Don’t shut your house up like a BUT NOT HEATER bunker. Leave some of the blinds And what about the old ruse of hanging partly open, have someone open and out a “beware of the dog” sign, even shut them for you, or install electric if you only have a pet rock or a chai pet? Lopes nods his head. “Yep, that blinds that work on timers.”

February 2017

PERSONAL BUSINESS

NADINE EWERT Take simple steps to make your home unattractive to pests February 2017

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MARCO LOPES Don’t let thieves know that you’re not home

CONTINUED

could be good too.” Having a sign that says “alarm” is also effective, particularly if you really have one.

Turn off the water if you’re gone for a week or more. If you don’t know where you turn the water off, the knob should be near the water meter.

Don’t, however, turn off the heating: turn it down to frost protection level (sometimes marked with a snowflake symbol) because if it’s off entirely, your pipes can freeze. Nico Backes of the heating, bathrooms and alternative energy firm Nico Backes Sàrl (www.nicobackes.lu), says he had a client who went on a ski holiday a few years ago and came back to find every radiator in his home--and he had 14 of them--had burst. “There were icicles hanging off them and a sheet of ice on the floors from the escaped water.” The client had gone from skiing on the mountains to ice skating in his living room. “By setting

" HAVE LIGHTS COME ON RANDOMLY WITH TIMERS."

the heating at 18 degrees, you’ll save energy and save your pipes and radiators from freezing as well,” Backes says.

DON’T BE BUGGED BY PESTS And what about the electricity? Well, you can’t turn flip all the breakers if you’ve got timers set for lamps or blinds, but do pull out plugs that won’t be in use. Just not those of the fridge or freezer unless they’re empty, but Lopes advises anyone leaving home for two weeks or more to empty both completely and leave the doors wedged slightly open. Stock some pasta and a bottle of red for your return--no refrigeration needed.

You might have done everything you can to prevent thieves from breaking in, but there are other creatures who want to steal from you too and it’s warmth, food and water that they’re after. “Close any gaps in the walls of

the basement and garage,” says Nadine Ewert, marketing manager for the pest control firm Rentokil in Luxembourg and French-speaking Belgium (www.rentokil.com). “Mice can get in through the smallest of cracks.” Also make sure there is no standing water around inside or out (e.g., watering cans and empty pots) because to rodents and bugs, it’s like a “free beer” sign in a bar window. Provisions in the pantry, besides canned goods, can also attract them. And ladies, you win the “seat down” argument here: to be on the safe side, don’t leave your home without closing the toilet seats. “It’s very rare that a rat climbs up through the toilet, but I have heard of it happening, even in a 6th floor flat,” says Ewert. Give it a flush before opening so you won’t have to say “oh, rats!” when you’re back home.

Lopes takes it a step further and puts the rubber stoppers in all of his drains before going on holiday.

He also covers up the garage drains.

“If the pipes get dry, it will attract sewer flies, and they’ll multiply.” That’s the same reason he pours a little water into the basement and garage drains on a monthly basis, to keep the water in the “S” curve of the pipes from drying out. If the water in the pipe is gone, so is the natural plug keeping sewer odours and flies at bay.

REST ASSURED AND GET INSURED If you’ve taken steps to prevent pests from moving in while you’re gone, the last thing you want to do is bring them home with you when you return, but that’s happening more and more, says Ewert. We’re talking about bedbugs--tiny bugs but a big problem. “They can be picked up from hotels, even very good hotels, which is why we advise clients to unpack their suitcases in the hotel room, put their clothes away in the drawers and wrap the closed suitcase up in plastic. And wash all your clothes in hot water as soon as you’re back.”

If you did bring back bedbugs, you’ll soon know it by the bites and by the small spots of blood in the sheets. Call a pest control service immediately to save yourself stress and money.

February 2017

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Insurance companies can also keep an eye out for your home while you’re away. LaLux for example offers a “Happy Holiday” service that entitles clients to five home-visits a year, to check on things, water plants, put out the trash and take in the mail. It isn’t cheap, but neither are holidays.

What’s really awful is having to pay for a holiday that you didn’t even get to take. You won’t have to do that again if you buy cancellation insurance.

At current rates it’s about €130 annually for family coverage up to €5,000 through LaLux (upgrade when and if needed).

“A lot of people don’t know about it, but it’s a good idea. I always do it myself,” says Sylvie Wagner-Theisen, a LaLux insurance agent (www.lalux.lu).

With this type of insurance, you don’t have to remember to do it before you go--it’s good for a whole year--and immediate family members who live with you are also covered. WagnerTheisen got to test out the policy herself last year when a back injury prevented her from taking a cruise. “I wasn’t happy about it, but I was happy I had insurance.” Cancellation insurance also covers you if you can’t travel because your roof caved in, your mother-in-law died or your child is in the hospital--not only if you are personally sick or injured.

But what if illness or injury doesn’t prevent you from travelling, but strikes you after you’ve already made the 15-hour flight and three connections to reach your dream destination?

Knock on wood! But forewarned is forearmed, especially if you’ve headed to places where medical costs are high. This type of coverage, from LaLux’s DKV unit (www.dkv.lu), costs just 75 cents a day; it isn’t just that anyone can afford to buy it, it’s that no one can afford not to!

Luxembourg’s national health insurance fund (www.cns.lu) will not reimburse for what you pay for medical services abroad, only for what services would have cost you in Luxembourg.

There can be a big difference. “One of my clients didn’t get the extra coverage, and she had to go to emergency in the USA--at a cost of $1,800,” February 2017

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SYLVIE WAGNERTHEISEN Cancellation insurance covers a number of scenarios that can foil your travel plans

"A LOT OF PEOPLE

DON’T KNOW ABOUT IT, BUT IT’S A GOOD IDEA."

she says. And remember that it isn’t just the US that has higher health costs--many EU countries and Switzerland do too. Add in another plus: it covers repatriation if you need to be brought back to Luxembourg for medical care--and this 75 cents a day seems very well spent.

And, of course, having house insurance will lessen the blow if despite

your efforts, your house is robbed or the pipes burst. You’ll be covered for most emergencies, except for rats in the toilets or bugs in your bed. But relax. Once you hit the ski slopes or sink back into the jacuzzi, you’ll stop worrying about things you can’t control.

Especially if you’ve done all you could to take care of the things you can control before you left. Schéi Vakanz!

TOP TIPS > Stop your mail at the post office > Put a “no publicity” sticker on your mailbox > Have someone take in and set out your rubbish bins > Leave blinds partly open > Have lights turn on in rotation, using timers > Have someone open and shut blinds, or use electric blinds on a timer > Barricade doors from inside > Shut and lock all interior doors > Place breakables on windowsills > Turn off water > Set heating at frost-protection level (18°) > Unplug all electrical plugs not being used in your absence > Empty and unplug fridge and freezer and wedge doors slightly open > Plug up all the drains > Plug up all cracks and gaps in garage and basement > Don’t leave standing water around, inside or out > Don’t leave food out > Unpack your clothes in hotel rooms and wrap closed suitcase in plastic > Wash all clothes at 60° and up as soon as you return > Inform the local police of your absence > Inform the commune of your absence > Get cancellation insurance > Get additional medical coverage > Relax and enjoy your holiday!

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Interview by JESS BAULDRY

LUXEMBOURG’S PISTACHIO QUEEN

February 2017

values because Britons were so antiEuropean. I wasn’t surprised by the Brexit vote because the few years I lived there, everything I heard on the news regarding Europe was completely negative. When you grow up in Luxembourg, being European is part of your everyday life. It’s part of you.

Although I am not sporty, I am super proud when a Luxembourger wins at international sports.

Would you like to live abroad?

I feel at home here, but I could feel at home in Buenos Aires or Spain. I’m more attracted to Mediterranean culture or America. I’m not attracted to Asia and could never live in Africa because of their concept of time.

I don’t have the patience for that…

It would definitely be cheaper to build a factory somewhere else. But I’m resisting. Luxembourg is my home.

I think Luxembourg has given us a lot so we’ve the philosophy that we give back to the country we are in and I want the company to continue here.

Where is your favourite place in Luxembourg?

The Pétrusse and the old town... In summer, I often go with my son to the lake in Echternach. When we have visitors it’s either Vianden, Echternach or the Mullerthal or any other old towns. < www.ireco.lu

" I LIKE BEING LUXEMBOURGISH AND HAVING A LUXEMBOURGISH PASSPORT BECAUSE NO ONE HATES US."

A FAMILY TRADITION Ireco was founded in 1971 by Iranian engineer Abbas Rafii, who first introduced pistachios into Europe. He was continuing a family tradition begun by his father, whose pistachio orchards in Iran were confiscated during the Islamic revolution.

The firm buys pistachios only from California, processing around 20% of the EU’s annual consumption of the US state’s production.

PROMOTING NUTS IN LUXEMBOURG Parissa Rafii promotes the health benefits of eating nuts in her capacity as ambassador to Luxembourg for www.nutfruit.org.

CELEBRATING LUXEMBOURG In 2017 Maison Moderne and Nvision will 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. If you know somebody who you think deserves to be on the 100 list, let us know. celebrating@ maisonmoderne.com www.celebrating luxembourg.com

Maison Moderne

year to figure things out and that year turned into ten years. In 2000, after the passing of my best childhood friend, I decided I didn’t want to have any regrets in life so I considered what was on my bucket list. One of the things was to learn Spanish. So, I went to Madrid for six months.

Then in 2002 I went to university to study Persian and development studies. In 2005, I did an MA in diplomacy and #CELEBRATING international relations, at LUXEMBOURG SOAS, London. In 2011, I became a mother.

When you speak to non-Luxembourgers about Luxembourg, what do they say?

Parissa Rafii, president of Luxem- Most people don’t even listen when bourg-based nut producers I tell them where Luxembourg is.

Ireco, is one of a number of When I say “it’s a little country personalities to be featured in between Belgium, France and Gerthe “Celebrating Luxembourg” many”, they say “OK”. Then, when series, presented by Delano and they introduce me to someone else, other titles published by Maison they say “she’s from Germany”. Even Moderne. Throughout the year, some Europeans don’t know where Celebrating Luxembourg pro- Luxembourg is. But, it impresses me files the people who contribute when I meet someone from India or positively to the Grand Duchy’s the US who knows about Luxembourg and what it is known for. international reputation.

What advantages and disadvanJess Bauldry: What do you do in life? tages does being a Luxembourger Parissa Rafii: It’s been five years since bring you? my father retired as president of I was born here and don’t have the Ireco. I’m the president of the com- merit of having chosen Luxembourg. pany and I do purchasing, which I My parents did. But I like being do much better in than sales, since Luxembourgish and having a LuxI’m not diplomatic! Ireco buys and embourgish passport because no processes pistachio nuts from Cali- one hates us. Luxembourg until now fornia, cashews from India and Viet- exemplifies how to integrate foreigners nam, macadamias from South Africa into society. I also love the fact that and Australia, and peanuts from no one understands Luxembourgish when you travel and you can have Argentina and the US. Can you summarise the key dates a private conversation even in a crowded place. in your career and life?

I was born in 1970. I began working When was the last time you were at Ireco in 1991 when I didn’t know proud of Luxembourg and of if I wanted to study business, human being a Luxembourger? resources, translation or work with When I was in London, I would disabled children. I gave myself a defend Luxembourg and its European

Visit us in store and see our new exciting collections

Open from Monday to Friday from 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.

69, parc d’activités Mamer-Cap • L-8308 Capellen │ Tel.: 26 30 30 1

kichechef.lu

BUSINESS

AGENDA

TEN EVENTS

Delano presents a selection of upcoming business, informational and networking events for Luxembourg’s international community. Starting times omitted from all day happenings. Advance registration and fees may be required, so consult the website indicated for details.

All events are held in English unless otherwise noted.

CANADA ROUNDTABLE

CHINESE NEW YEAR

BITCOIN COFFEE BREAK Tue 28 Feb

Bitcoin Meetup www.meetup.com The group says: “Feel free to come to talk about bitcoin-blockchain.

Newbies or experts are welcomed as long as everyone may appear humble facing this revolution.”

Technoport, Esch-Belval, 16:15-17:45

HUMANITARIAN LAW Wed 1 March

Tue 14 Feb

Wed 15 Feb

Chamber of Commerce www.cc.lu Conference organised with Cancham Benelux on “bilateral business and economic opportunities” with Canada.

Guest speaker is the Canadian ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, Olivier Nicoloff.

Chamber of Commerce, Luxembourg-Kirchberg, 10:30-12:30

Chamber of Commerce www.cc.lu Luxembourg’s prime minister and the Chinese ambassador, among many others, help ring in the Year of the Rooster. Cocktail chatter tip: roosters are loyal, proud and punctual.

Chamber of Commerce, Luxembourg-Kirchberg, 17:30

FIND MENTOR FAST

University of Luxembourg www.uni.lu Julie Tenenbaum and Thomas Hallier of the International Committee of the Red Cross present a “Lunchtime seminar in law: humanitarian assistance and the protection of humanitarian workers from an operational and a legal perspective”.

Weicker Building, Luxembourg-Kirchberg, 12:00

LUC FRIEDEN

FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY

Wed 15 Feb

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

February 2017

Sat 11 – Sun 12 March Game of Code www.gameofcode.eu Coders of all stripes get cracking during this dev fest. Challenges in virtual reality and open data, plus a Hack4Kids.lu track. One of last year’s top teams pictured.

Forum Geesseknäppchen, Luxembourg-Hollerich, Saturday 09:00 to Sunday 17:00

YOU FOR BREAKFAST Wed 15 March

BCC www.bcc.lu The British Chamber of Commerce says: “Attend a breakfast forum: ‘Connecting with others, the art and science of communication’.

First topic: ‘All about you!’”

Badenoch & Clark, Luxembourg-Gare, 08:30

SUPPER CLUB Wed 15 Feb

Tigfi www.tigfi.org Claude Marx, the director general of Luxembourg’s financial regulator, the CSSF, addresses the financial ethics club on “The road to transparency: closing the gap”.

Cercle Munster, Luxembourg-Grund, 11:30

HACKATHON

The Network “The Network – Luxembourg” on Facebook Its second “Speed Mentoring Workshop”, which is “speed dating with an entrepreneurial twist”.

“Registered participants will rotate among volunteer coaches throughout the evening.”

Hôtel Le Royal, Luxembourg-Centre, 19:00

Mon 6 March Amcham www.amcham.lu The former finance minister of the Grand Duchy and ex-vice chair of Deutsche Bank in London speaks on “Positioning Luxembourg for growth and prosperity” post-Brexit at this luncheon.

DoubleTree by Hilton, Luxembourg-Dommeldange, 12:00

Wed 15 March Hub Dot Luxembourg www.hubdot.com The women’s networking group, which uses a system of coloured dots to help break the ice, hosts “an evening of inspiring stories and a celebration of food that ‘makes a community’.”

B13, Bertrange, 19:00

Christopher Policarpio/Creative Commons > Maison Moderne archives > Alias 0591/Creative Commons

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ALFI EUROPEAN ASSET MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE Bringing Asset Managers and Investors centre stage European Convention Center, Luxembourg 21 & 22 March 2017

#ALFIEAM17

www.alfi.lu/eam17

LIFESTYLE 69

UPFRONT

The diar y VOL(T)AGE OUTLET Luxembourg fashion brand Vol(t)age has opened a store in the city centre.

The store sells the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s iconic V-Neck scarves as well as its collection of slogan sweaters, jackets and raincoats.

JO MALONE Fans of Jo Maloneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elegant scents can now buy colognes, soaps, oils and lotions from a dedicated store in the centre of the capital city.

Maloneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique selling point is that her products rely on matching just two fragrances to create subtle yet distinctive perfumes.

The Escape Hunt, 2 place de Paris, Luxembourg-Gare www.luxembourg. escapehunt.com

February 2017

www.ryanair.com

Jo Malone, 29 rue Philippe II, Luxembourg-Centre www.jomalone.com

Vol(t)age, 18 rue Philippe II, Luxembourg-Centre www.vol-t-age.com

PLAY SHERLOCK The Escape Hunt is the latest adventure space to set up in Luxembourg.

Teams can dress up as Sherlock Holmes and tackle three mysteries with a Luxembourg connection using a wide set of skills, careful observation and, naturally, the power of deduction.

RYANAIR ADDS BARCELONA Passengers will have more options for flying to Barcelona from Luxembourg starting next October when Ryanair opens a new route for the IATA Winter 2017/2018 season.

NEW BRASSERIE A smart brasserie in the city centre, Au Pâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tit Max serves lunchtime specials and also has an interesting set menu priced at â&#x201A;Ź36 for three courses, with a choice of two dishes for each course. It is also open for breakfast and afternoon tea.

Au Pâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;tit Max, 5 avenue Monterey, Luxembourg-Centre www.auptitmax.lu

WINTER REFRESHMENT Hosted by Gabriel Boisante at Paname, Almdudler recently launched a campaign promoting the herbal soft drink as a unique ingredient in refreshing winter cocktails, including an Almstrudel with rum and cinnamon sticks. www.almdudler.com

REGISTER FOR POSTLAF The ING Night Marathon Luxembourg may be full up, but the first big run of the season--the 10km Postlaf--is still open for registration. The fun run takes place in the morning of Sunday 12 March. www.postlaf.rtl.lu

URBAN DANCE

BREAKINâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; CONVENTION SEEKS TALENT Following a successful launch in 2016, the global festival of hiphop dance theatre that is Breakinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Convention returns to the Grand Duchy this June. Since 2004, Sadlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wells Theatre in London has produced and presented the Breakinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Convention festival. Curated and hosted by UK hip-hop pioneer, Jonzi D, the festival has received acclaim from critics and dancers alike.

Luxembourg-born, London-based dancer Kendra Horsburgh was the driving force behind bringing the festival to the Grand ThÊâtre last year. The inaugural Luxembourg event, held over two days, proved a great success, attracting artists and fans from the Grand Duchy and the Greater Region.

Breakinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Convention Luxembourg 2017 is now appealing to local dancers, graffiti writers, DJs, emcees, rappers and beatboxers to apply to take part in the festival on 17 and 18 June. The organisers say they are looking for companies that are unique and who are â&#x20AC;&#x153;using hip-hop and funk-style dance techniques in a different and exciting way.â&#x20AC;? And while they say they want artists to â&#x20AC;&#x153;break the conventions of hip-hop dance theatre,â&#x20AC;? they are also looking for companies and individuals who have a story to tell or a concept to explore and who are â&#x20AC;&#x153;making a statement about life today,â&#x20AC;? be it political or social.

However, applicants should not be timid or worry that they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a big enough company or budget for a large set. The organisers have plenty of advice for participants, but perhaps the best is: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Start with your idea and remain true to it.

Dare to be different.â&#x20AC;?

The submission deadline is 17 February, with compulsory auditions held over the weekend of 4 and 5 March. www.breakinconvention.com/touring/lux

Anna Katina > Almdudler > Breakinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Convention

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CELEBRATING BURNS Around 170 people gathered to celebrate the life of Scottish poet Robert Burns at Luxexpo’s Réimerwee restaurant at the end of January. Guests dined on the traditional haggis, neeps and tatties, washed down with whisky.

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ks direc tor Andy Bausch tal Iconic Luxembourg film ior citizen comedy Rusty Boys, about his latest film , senas a film-maker. and how he has grown

D.R.: You have said that Rusty Boys was made to provide older actors with good roles.

How did they react to this opportunity?

A.B.: That’s not the main reason I chose to make a senior citizen comedy. But the thought of being able to give maybe a last major role to some of the oldies, to put them together in a film with younger actors, was something I liked a lot. Fernand Fox and Pol Greisch, the two oldest “rusty boys”, were on board immediately. They never questioned anything--there was deep trust and, in the evening of the last day of shooting, both of them told me how they loved it and how they felt younger during the two-month shoot.

D.R.: What inspired you to work with Frank Feitler on the script? How did that collaboration work?

A.B.: I was asked by the Film Fund to write a second version of the script by working together with another scriptwriter. The only Luxembourg writer I respect and like to work with is Frank Feitler. You mustn’t forget that in the 90s we wrote several scripts together, Three Steps to Heaven, a German TV film for ZDF… and we even worked on some films that were never made, even a Western. It was easy and the team work was admirable. It just felt like the last time we worked together. Frank is considered an intellectual writer, sure, but he is as much cowboy as me. And we like the same drinks.

D.R.: How do you feel you have developed as a director since Troublemaker all those years ago?

A.B.: Technically a lot, I guess. After 11 feature films, 13 feature documentaries and a dozen films for German TV, you simply feel confident. I always was an actor’s director and people like to work with me, so, sure over the years I developed in my storytelling and my screenplays, but I hope that I have managed to maintain a style… a Bausch style.

Sometimes you just tell stories and direct with gut instinct. I just think if my crew and I have fun on the set, later on the audience will have fun too. www.rustyboys.lu

Julien Becker > PTD

Interview by DUNCAN ROBERTS

Lala La Photo

TARTAN ARMY A. Piping in the haggis B. Toasts are an integral feature of a Burns Supper C. Fiona Urqhart (left) and guests D. Guests at the traditional Burns Supper

February 2017

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Text by ALIX RASSEL

Photography by LALA LA PHOTO

s ’ n e r d l i h c s d i a l Bal charities SNAPSHOTS

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ussia’s community and culture were highlighted during a glamourous fundraising gala in January. The Russian Charity Ball, organised by the Russian Club of Luxembourg, supported SOS Villages d’Enfants Monde and the Podsolnuh (sunflower) Foundation.

The Podsolnuh Foundation helps to combat primary immunodeficiency which threatens the lives of many children throughout Russia.

According to the club, it has donated around €230,000 to various charities over the past five years. Last year’s ball raised €75,000, or about 45% of all donations received.

“I love the elegance of the dresses and the extravagance,” Natalia, originally from Kiev, told Delano at this year’s edition. “It is like a fairytale.”

“I really enjoy the music and the Russian culture,” said Harry, a native Dutchman attending the event for the fifth time.

“Russians really know how to have a party and celebrate,” stated Nina.

Anastasiya Sergeeva, a harpist originally from St. Petersburg, said she had one principal purpose: “For me it is all about giving to charity whilst entertaining the guests,” she smiled. “The reason I am here is for the charities and the children; that is the essence of the event for me.

Giving something back to those in need.”

Search for “Formal ball” on www.delano.lu www.ball.russki.lu

February 2017

RUSSIAN CHARITY BALL A. Irina Boechat, Nadejda Muller, president of the Russian Charity Ball, Svetlana Huss and Laertes Boechat B. Étienne Schneider, deputy prime minister of Luxembourg, and Jérôme Domange C. Christian Kaempf, Renato Favaro and Cécile & Carlo Thelen D. Roland Schmit, Joseph Catafago, Manon Schmit, Aniela Bettel and Mariette Toussaint E. Alexey Ivanov and Anne Schweizer F. Lisa Gambhir and Jan Könighaus G. René Peters and Raisa Sjomina H. Tatiana Kogut, Anna Firsova and Olga Krasnopeeva I. Anna Biren J. Students from the Kalinka Russian school perform

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Autocars Emile Frisch Autocars Autocars Emile Emile Frisch Frisch Tél. (+352) 49 61 51-151-1 Tél. (+352) Tél. (+352) 49 49 61 61 51-1 www.emile-frisch.lu www.emile-frisch.lu www.emile-frisch.lu info@emile-frisch.lu info@emile-frisch.lu info@emile-frisch.lu 06/03/13 06/03/13 16:4516:45

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Text by TONYA STONEMAN

Photography by MARION DESSARD

d a e h a g n i g Char les--from BMW, the latest electric vehic Delano takes the five of d Volkswagen--for a spin.

Nissan , Renault, Tesla an nt to get behind the wheel of one yourself.

Here’s why you might wa

F

or Luxembourg, 2017 will represent a major transition toward the “circular economy”. A part of this initiative includes the roll-out of 800 fast chargers for 100% electric cars and plug-in hybrids, which will take place between now and 2020. The city’s new charging infrastructure will be powered entirely by renewable sources in keeping with the government’s efforts to minimise Luxembourg’s carbon footprint by encouraging people to buy electric cars.

If you are in the market for a new car, now might just be the perfect time to consider going electric. In the past few years, manufacturers have begun investing seriously in the development of electric car technology, which has resulted in drastic improvements and some truly revolutionary options for drivers.

And it’s only going to get better.

Owning an eco-efficient car in Luxembourg will be pretty enticing in the coming years, but what is the best choice for the planet and for your pocketbook? At the moment, there are a few options ranging from affordable to luxury (but the pool is getting bigger every year). This year, two manufacturers stand out as particularly impressive: Tesla and BMW.

TESLA MODEL X AND MODEL S One of Tesla’s greatest contributions to the electric car is showing people that a car can be simultaneously safe, sustainable and high performing. The company has made the electric car chic.

February 2017

" THESE ARE THE PERFECT CARS FOR LUXEMBOURG BECAUSE OF ITS SIZE."

The Model S, which starts at about €78,000, comes in a range of different battery sizes: the 60D has 340hp with a range of 200-250km, the 70D with 340hp has a range of 300-350km, and the 90D has 420hp with a range of 400km. The battery is 75% recyclable. The Model X is an SUV that retails from about €162,000.

It’s an impressive vehicle with automatic winged doors for easy access and a very spacious interior.

Both come in self-driving versions with a stellar safety level.

If you test-drive either of these cars, you won’t want anything else.

It’s like sitting in a spaceship. The designers have done away with all

buttons, so the single instrument is a billboard-like 15-inch touchscreen glowing in the dash. The car communicates with your cell phone so your daily appointments show up on the screen. The car knows where you’re going and how to get there.

It becomes an extension of you.

The batteries are under the chassis, so you are very low to the ground and you can go from 0-100km in 2.5 seconds. Of course Tesla offers a variety of luxury options including a free Spotify account and universal internet access.

In keeping with the company’s upscale yet environment conscious image, the Model S has a “bio weapon

defence mode,” an air filtration system that removes particulate exhaust pollution, allergens, bacteria and other contaminants from the air.

The battery range varies depending on temperature and speed, but these Teslas get around 370km on a full charge. All energy consumption information (battery charge, how much you will need to complete your trip, location of Tesla super charging stations that will allow you to get a full charge in 45 minutes) is available on the display. Using a high voltage line, it will take 6-8 hours to charge the battery, which can be adapted to voltage in any country.

One setback of owning a Tesla electric car is the ongoing software upgrades, upon which the automatic pilot relies. This and the fact that Tesla hasn’t been able to keep up with production demands have kept a lot of customers waiting. That said, the company is a clear industry leader. You pay twice the money, but you also get more than twice the car.

BMW I3 AND I8 When BMW’s design team was tasked with developing a revolutionary design to match their revolutionary electric car technology, they hit the target head on.

Currently, you can buy an i3 or an i8; an enhanced model is in the works.

“Most people have ideas about driving an electric car, but you have to drive this one to experience it,” says Stephanie Mastrangelo at Bilia-Emond BMW. “You will be surprised by how quiet it is and you will believe it can fly.” Indeed, electric car technology allows these vehicles to accelerate more quickly than their diesel and petrol counterparts.

The i8’s 266kW engine goes from 0-100km in 4.4 seconds.

Although relatively small to accommodate easy parking, the BMWi series cabin has an airy and spacious feeling. All of the drive components are integrated into the underbody so the interior is

CEDRIC The Gra HENRY is a sma nd Duchy own an rt place to electric car

February 2017

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incredibly spacious. It feels like a loft with clamshell doors. Moreover, interior features are composed of natural fibres like virgin wool and eucalyptus wood. The car cell is made entirely of carbon fibre.

Luxury options are available, including a Harman Kardon sound system. The self-parking mechanism is fully automated and will leave you wanting to parallel park at every opportunity.

The i3 battery has a range of 200km, but you can get an extender (cost €4,000) that will give you an extra 100km. If you charge the car at home, it will take 12 hours for a full charge, but you can reduce that to 4 hours with a BMW i Wallbox (cost €1,000).

The battery is guaranteed for 8 years or 100,000km.

If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, you can bet on the BMW i series. Eighty percent of the car is completely recyclable. The car starts at €35,790 and goes up from there.

BMW I SERIES + Easy to park, spacious interior − Long charging time € Starts at €35,790 www.bmw.lu

February 2017

TESLA MODEL X + Chic, best performance − Continuous software upgrades € Starts at €78,000 www.tesla.com

on performance and all around desirability, but its steering and feedback are more natural than that of the Renault Zoe. VW has taken a different approach from its competition by basing its electric vehicles on existing cars.

This allows them to drive costs down through shared parts, and gives them the flexibility to build as many or few cars as they choose, as they run on the same production lines.

The 2016 e-Up, an adorable sub compact with a range of 144km on a full charge, is similar to the 2015 model but has a revised front bumper and grille, and rear light clusters. The interior fittings are near identical to the standard. It goes from 0-100km in 12.4 seconds and costs €26,900.

VW differentiates itself through its energy recovery system, which is fairly intuitive to use. In place of the traditional gearstick is a shifter that allows drivers to select from four energy recovery modes. There are also three driving modes--normal,

Tesla

VOLKSWAGEN E-GOLF AND E-UP Volkswagen has released electric versions of two of its cars: the e-Golf and the e-Up. Compared to the BMW i3, the e-Up city car trails

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The Enovos mobicard lets you enjoy the whole range of electric mobility solutions in Luxembourg.

The mobicard gives you access to all public electric car charging stations throughout the country, including the public Chargy network. It also gives you 24/7 access to City Mov’s electric cars as well as e-bike sharing systems in a large number of towns and cities across Luxembourg. enovatemobility.lu

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eco and eco plus--that adapt to your personal preferences.

The 2017 e-Golf has dropped to €30,500 and has a 100kW electric motor and a battery range of 300km.

The interior is spacious and options include automated emergency braking and parking assist.

NISSAN LEAF I recently checked out a Nissan Leaf through a car sharing programme.

The Leaf SV and SL start at around €33,000 and €35,455 respectively and the 2017’s are nearly identical to earlier models, except the 30kWh pack gets about 172km of range.

Even with the larger battery, I found that a round trip journey from Luxembourg to Metz wasn’t possible.

Thankfully, there’s an app that will give you all the charging stations in your area and I found one close to home that was available.

Still, retrieving the car the next day before driving to work (it took 6 hours to charge) was a chore.

The drive back into Luxembourg was quite stressful as the car lost charge faster than it had on the route home. By the time I entered the Grand Duchy, I did not have enough charge to get my kids to school or even take them to the train station.

In the end, we slid into my office with less than a kilometre left on the gauge and they had to take a bus to the gare and make their way to school from there.

BATTERY IMPROVEMENTS While electric cars are not yet ideal for commuters or long distance, February 2017

VOLKSWAGEN

E-GOLF + Natural handling − Slower acceleration than the other cars Delano tested € Starts at €30,500 www.volkswagen.lu

the good news is that battery longevity is being improved. Porsche claims that its four-door Mission E will be able to drive 500km on its battery, which will take 15 minutes to charge.

Audi claims its e-Tron Quattro will get 500km as well. Both cars are slated to hit the market in 2018. Volkswagen’s I.D. concept car, which will get 482km, is set to hit the market in 2020.

Also in production is Tesla’s Model 3, an affordable electric sports sedan, that will start at around $35,000.

Tesla anticipates the battery will get about a 350km range; and larger batteries with longer ranges are expected. It will go into production this year and should be on the Luxembourg market in 2018.

There will be a big backorder, so you might think about signing up early.

Historically, electric vehicle manufacturers haven’t wanted to get too far ahead because demand wasn’t there. And the demand wasn’t there because the product wasn’t compelling enough--but we’ve reached the tipping point. There is now a mass market for sustainable

mobility. In Luxembourg, in particular, EV cars make sense. The country is small and the electric grid will soon be in place to support the transition.

“These are the perfect cars for Luxembourg because of its size,” says Cedric Henry, a BMW “product genius” in the capital. “You can reach the entire country.” The social and environmental benefits of driving an electric car are obvious and more and more people are going electric.

In fact, some forecasts predict half of all new cars sold in 2027 to be battery-powered.

WHERE TO FIND OTHER ECO-EFFICIENT CARS IN LUXEMBOURG

NISSAN BY LENTZ www.nissan.lu RENAULT www.renault.lu

California Air Resources Board

RENAULT ZOE The 2017 Renault Zoe ZE40 comes with 41kWh of batteries that are good for 400km. Although Renault notes an expected real world range of 300km, this kind of mileage is impressive for a car that consistently wins EV awards.

It only takes about half an hour to charge for an 80km drive and the Quickcharge option is available on Q-series cars. Renault has kept everything that was already great about the Zoe, but has added many of the latest comfort and infotainment features. And while the range has increased dramatically, the price hasn’t.

The new Zoe is listed from €29,390 for the Entry/22kWh version, and €31,890 for the Life/41kWh edition.

PETIT BISCUIT

01 MAR ROCKHAL

Special Guest: NEWTON FAuLKNEr

04 MAR ROCKHAL

ESCH/ALZETTE (LUX)

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S O U LWA X

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GETTING INVOLVED

Text by ALIX RASSEL

Photography by LALA LA PHOTO

Linking up s n a i n a m o R

lisation (Avris) for Interaction and Socia living and n tio cia so As ge ua ng for Romanians The Romanian La cohesion opportunities creates networking and rg. relocating to Luxembou

A

lthough Romania became part of the European Union on 1 January 2007, Romanians were unable to legally work in Luxembourg without documentation until seven years later.

“Back in 2008, the Romanian embassy in Luxembourg made a call out for volunteers to help write a guidebook about living and working in Luxembourg,” explains Oana Marangoci, vice president of Avris. “As Romanians required a work permit for Luxembourg at that time, the guide was more about integration into the community and legal obligations.

The guide still exists today, but is in the process of being reformatted.”

It was as a result of this collaboration that a group of friends formed a more ‘official’ community for Romanians in Luxembourg by organising social and networking events. “At the beginning these were mostly aimed at women and children who had followed their spouses for work,” Oana adds. “From these very humble beginnings, we began to arrange more regular meetings and to integrate into the local community, sharing Romanian culture with expats and local residents.”

Avris, officially established in 2014, now has around 45 official members and approximately 400 guests who participate in regular events.

“Most of our members are Romanian or Moldavian, where the Romanian language is widely spoken,” adds Dana Moldoveanu, president of Avris. “However, we also have a couple of active members who are not Romanian by birth but have a Romanian spouse, so speak the language fluently.”

In March 2016 Avris took part for the first time in the Festival des migrations, des cultures et de la citoyenneté, organised by Clae, an NGO. February 2017

Madalina Stoian became the new vice president of Avris and her passion for cooking prompted the initiative to take part in the festival. Madalina created a team of ten volunteers in collaboration with another Avris member who owns a shop selling Romanian products and together they prepared homemade, high quality traditional Romanian food for the stand. “Through previous experiences, we noticed that food and language are very strong bonds to connect an individual to their roots,” Oana explains. “That is why we focused on providing traditional foods.

People are very friendly at Clae and the atmosphere tends to be a lot cosier than at the International Bazaar.”

Avris will be participating in this year’s Festival des migrations, des cultures et de la citoyenneté from 3 to 5 March, again at Luxexpo in Kirchberg.

“As the festival is very close to International Women’s Day, we are hoping to promote the two events together,” Oana adds. “We hope readers will drop by our stand to find out more.”

FOUR FOR AVRIS Oana Marangoci, Brindusa Mihailescu, Dana Moldoveanu and Madalina Stoian

ROMANIAN-LUXEMBOURG CONNECTIONS According to the Romanian embassy, there are currently 4,000 Romanians living in Luxembourg.

Culturally, Romania has an important reputation in the European film industry, producing award-winners like The Death of Mr. Lazarescu and 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days. Here in Luxembourg, Romania is one of the countries represented at the Cineast festival.

Historically, in the 12th and 13th centuries there was a migration from Luxembourg to Sibiu (Hermannstadt). The cities shared the honour of being European capitals of culture in 2007. There is still a small community speaking a language very close to Luxembourgish there. www.avris.lu “Avris ASBL” on Facebook

Offrez des émotions à votre Valentin(e) grâce aux tickets-cadeaux!

© Utopia s.a. Part of Kinepolis Group

Disponibles en caisse de votre cinéma Utopolis

plus d’infos : utopolis.lu

Where are you going to eat today?

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02/11/16 14:03

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Text by ISABELLA EASTWOOD

e g a k c a p y a d i l o H vs. à la carte

dent traveller and lidaymakers: the indepenpeople to take ho of es typ o tw r ide ns ny has moved ma Traditionally, we co st course of ac tion? e advent of the internet the carefree voyager. Ths into their own hands, but is this really the be trip ing the task of plann

D

o package tours risk limiting your experiences to a standardised format, or does self-booking land you in tourist traps? Here’s what you need to know, no matter whether you’re an autonomous nomad or an all-inclusive junkie: maybe it’s time to switch things up a little.

First up: holiday budget. À la carte booking often starts out cheaper, but it’s the spending in-between that hits the bank like a truck on ice.

Money goes on food, clothes, souvenirs, nights out, activities, maybe a tattoo. Whatever your planned cut-off point may be, chances are you’ll end up of passing your mark, especially once you give in to the laissez-faire holiday attitude.

In comparison, while the initial amount of an allinclusive deal will be higher, it will also be a lot closer to your final total. This will only be the case, however, if you’re 100% sure what the offer you pay for consists of. It’s easy to fall into “additional fee” traps, for extra drinks or food. Professional travel agents should be able to avoid these pitfalls, but if it’s just you, be realistic about bargains.

As Monika Evrard from We Love to Travel (www. weloveto.travel) warns, a last-minute booking in southern Spain for mid-August at €199 is a lot more likely to deceive than to be a blessing in disguise.

Booking at your own leisure will save you service costs, but you’ll miss out on the professionalism of a certified travel agent. With both job and reputation on the line, it’s in your agency’s interest to negotiate the best deals available. It’s their job to peruse the wide world of the web in order to find the best bargains out there, whether all-inclusive, extravagant or affordable.

PREP TIME As an independent booker, the internet is your frenemy. The choice is abundant, the reviews subjective, and the photos ambiguous. Online bookings run the perennial risk of producing either a fantastic find, or a dismal disappointment.

Extensive research limits the likelihood of a horrific holiday, if you have the time, patience and knowledge to do so. Doing it on your own makes it your responsibility: if your chosen hostel is in fact inhospitable, you can do little but tough it out or pay a fortune to find more comforting grounds.

February 2017

Most digital crusaders will know how to avoid dubious deals, averaging out location, price and reviews. However, if you deem subjective accounts unreliable and online reviews are your personal idea of hell, then just don’t do it. The price of a travel agent includes a professional guarantee of value, with some travel agencies, such as LuxairTours (www.luxairtours.lu), performing separate quality and value assessments.

Simply put, quality is only guaranteed if the necessary work, time and planning goes into it.

If you just want to kick back and relax from the moment you leave your house with no additional input, then go for a travel agent and an allinclusive plan. All-inclusive offers relaxation on arrival while à la carte bookings require continuous input. Prearranged drinks, food, activities mean no fuss, but limit spontaneity, flexibility and freedom to get up and go out. Services like Cruisopolis (www.cruisopolis.lu) organise one-off deals that whisk you off from your doorstop, with a preplanned programme in place from the get-go.

What is paradise to some can be claustrophobic to others: tight schedules and deals provide less room for movement, but are also less demanding.

Legally, you’re more secure with a travel agency. On your own, one airline’s delay is at your cost. Marc Barnich of Cruisopolis explains that the travel agency takes on “full responsibility of fulfilment of services” as well as the protection and care of the customer “from the beginning to the end of his holidays”.

Lidia Mele of LuxairTours elaborates: all the problems you might encounter during the duration of your trip, such as delays, strikes, cancellations, theft, will be taken care of. In order to create a seamless and positive experience,

"YOU WILL HAVE SOMEONE TO TALK TO AT EVERY STAGE OF YOUR TRAVELS." LIDIA MELE

Sven Becker

TRAVEL

February 2017

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MONIKA EVRARD Book yourself for a flexible and spontaneous vacation

GUT INSTINCT If you worry about individual and corporate responsibility, there are certain ways you can go about making sure you support the local economy.

Staying at a resort, consuming solely provided goods and services doesn’t have harm the local economy. If all-inclusive is your choice, you can specify to your travel agent that you wish to stay in a hotel that has a fair and honest working relationship with the community and make sure your excursions are locally planned. In comparison, roaming along independently does foster more involvement with regional culture, especially if you stay at local hotels, B&Bs, and spend time eating February 2017

out and exploring your environment. The latter might not be as clean, as safe or guaranteed quality, but hell, it’s authentic and full of surprises.

What it comes down to in the end is largely personality and preference. As Evrard puts it: “It depends on your attitude towards life in general.” If you enjoy being flexible, spontaneous and completely autonomous, then it’s a no-brainer: go solo! Combing through offers, possibilities and opportunities helps create a comprehensive understanding of and feel for your destination.

It can also lead to you stumble across something you might never have considered.

At the same time, endless choice and proliferating potential hotels, spots and events can make booking stressful, as the incessant fear of falling short of “the perfect plan” looms ever on.

If, on the other hand, you want to remove yourself from all sense of responsibility and worry from the moment you leave your home, and have someone take care of you, then having someone do it for you is the way to go.

"IT DEPENDS ON YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE IN GENERAL."

WHICH WAY TO GO?

Delano asked three Luxembourg travel bloggers for their take.

Jorge and Anabela Valente of diariesofmagazine.com: “All-inclusive is the ideal solution for those looking for comfort and rest.

We try to immerse ourselves into the culture, try to meet the locals, eat what they eat, go where they go. We rarely do any booking beforehand, it provides a feeling of freedom.”

Fabienne of luxembourgmeetstheworld.com: “All-inclusive can push you to stay in your resort because you don’t want to spend the money twice, but it’s perfect for families with children who just want to stay in one place and relax. À la carte is higher risk, but offers a lot more choice.”

Anouk of letzflyaway.com: “With à la carte, you can sit on your couch at home, browse through the infinite offers available and choose what’s best for you, book or cancel your itinerary, add new plans all in the convenience of your home.

All-inclusive trips cater mostly towards travellers with a certain budget, who want to know exactly what they get for their money and avoid unforeseen situations”.

Marion Dessard

“you will have someone to talk to at every stage of your travels.” This additional security can be especially reassuring if you plan longer, more complex trips.

For each kind of travel, there are particular target audiences. All-inclusive arrangements are catered more towards seniors and families, according to several travellers Delano spoke with at Luxexpo’s Vakanz Fair in January. Travelling with children becomes more cost effective with all-inclusive deals, and even the more adventurous voyagers agreed that, the further the destination, the more likely they were to seek the help of a professional. However, these rigid categories blur as companies expand their services to appeal to more people. In this respect, Evrard highlights the agency’s ability to plan a North American road trip, while LuxairTours offers a variety of brochures incorporating varying types of experiences.

Where are you going to eat today?

The answer is at your bookstore.

10â&#x201A;Ź Available at newsagents and via eshop.maisonmoderne.com

Independent restaurant guide in Luxembourg since 1994

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ROMANCE

s y a w e v i t a n r Ten alte s â&#x20AC;&#x2122; e n i t n e l a V d n e to sp a fine way dinner at a restaurant isideas. tic an rom a for ds od Sure, paying over the love, but the Delano team has a few other to celebrate the day of

Lata Gouveiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grund Club initiative hosts a special Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day concert showcasing the work of local songwriters and featuring a host of talented local musicians and singers.

These gigs are a great way to meet like-minded people who truly enjoy making, and listening to, music. Maybe youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find a songwriting partner.

Tuesday 14 February, 20:00 neimĂŤnster, rue MĂźnster, Luxembourg-Grund www.grundclub.com

GIVE YOURSELF SOME LOVE

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget that the most important relationship you have is with yourself. Treat yourself to your favourite food, put that face mask on, have a bath, listen to Taylor Swift (that goes for men, too) and go to bed early for a good nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sleep. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll look better than everyone else who has been on a night out! www.taylorswift.com

February 2017

TIE A LOVE LOCK

This initiative, attaching a love lock to a specially designed sculpture in Schengen, allows citizens to symbolically demonstrate their attachment to the idea of a borderless Europe as outlined in the Schengen Treaty. But one can see the appeal for lovers who may wish to enjoy a glass of local wine while looking out over the Moselle river.

Schengen quay

SEE AVANT-GARDE CLASSIC

For something completely different, hunker down with your loved one to watch Alejandro Jodorowskyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gloriously wacky and visually stunning Santa Sangre (Holy Blood).

Roger Ebert says the 1989 film is packed with â&#x20AC;&#x153;horror, poetry, surrealism, psychological pain and wicked humour.â&#x20AC;?

Tuesday 14 February, 18:30 CinÊmathèque, place du ThÊâtre, Luxembourg-Centre www.cinematheque.lu

GO POTTY, GET PAINTING

MAKE A PLAY DATE

Paint personalised â&#x20AC;&#x153;his and hersâ&#x20AC;? mugs or decorate other kooky crockery for the one you love at Nordic Stella, the paint-it-yourself ceramic workshop in Luxembourg Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rue du Nord. Check the website for the drop-in session timetable or to book a personalised event.

Nordic Stella, 3 rue du Nord, Luxembourg-Centre www.nordicstella.lu

Not your traditional romantic dinner: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t play with your foodâ&#x20AC;? participants will â&#x20AC;&#x153;play while eatingâ&#x20AC;? to make the â&#x20AC;&#x153;meal a moment of companionship and sharing,â&#x20AC;? says Mudam. Expect some â&#x20AC;&#x153;unexpectedâ&#x20AC;? games from the host, Charlotte Brocard. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free and â&#x20AC;&#x153;no reservation needed-just bring your good mood.â&#x20AC;?

Wednesday 15 February, 19:00 Mudam, 3 parc Dräi Eechelen, Luxembourg-Kirchberg www.mudam.lu

SHOW YOUR CAT SOME LOVE

DO DANCE OF THE HEART

Have you been neglecting your significant other, i.e., your cat lately? Clean out its litter, give it some catnip and play hide and seek. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have a party! Afterwards curl up together for some cuddles and much-needed bonding.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a cat? The DĂŠierenasyl (see no.5) or SOS Animaux has abandoned cats available for adoption. www.sos-animaux.lu

Of all the partner dances, nothing quite matches the sensuality and romance of tango. Tango Argentino teaches drop-in sessions on Tuesday lunchtimes at Dance Factory in the capital.

The same day, it also teaches level 2, early evening, and organises late night Milonga La Primera dances at the Brasserie de lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ArrĂŞt in Merl. www.tangoargentino.lu

BOND WITH A BOW-WOW

You can always count on manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best friend to make you feel loved. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a dog? Then why not offer to walk one of the scores of homeless pups living at the animal shelter in Gasperich. Simply drop by to walk a dog for a couple of hours from Monday to Saturday after 1 p.m.

All you need is a photo ID. DĂŠierenasyl, 80 rue Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Luxembourg-Gasperich www.deierenasyl.lu

CURE RELATIONSHIP BLUES

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re happily single but still get the blues around Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, watch Kramer vs Kramer, Blue Valentine (starring Ryan Gosling, in our photo) or Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. That should cure it. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re up for a good cry and let it all out, watch The Way We Were--a classic romantic drama. www.netflix.com or www.itunes.com

Anna Katina > Lala La Photo > Sven Becker > Marcy Leigh/Creative Commons > Lugdivine Unfer

HEAR SONGWRITERS

THÉÂTRE DES CAPUCINS

TUESDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2017 AT 8PM THURSDAY 2ND, FRIDAY 3RD & SATURDAY 4TH MARCH 2017 AT 8PM

LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING

BY JOE PENHALL

© URBAN RUTHS

IN ENGLISH WITH NICKEL BÖSENBERG, LARISA FABER, OWEN SHARPE DIRECTOR ANNE SIMON DESIGN MARIE-LUCE THEIS

© STEVELAWTON

PRODUCTION LES THÉÂTRES DE LA VILLE DE LUXEMBOURG

© PHIL MATHEWS

THÉÂTRE DES CAPUCINS I 9, PLACE DU THÉÂTRE I L-2613 LUXEMBOURG INFORMATION WWW.LESTHEATRES.LU BOOKING WWW.LUXEMBOURGTICKET.LU I TEL.: + 352 47 08 95-1

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EXPATS

Text by DUNCAN ROBERTS

Photography by SVEN BECKER

Sentimental journey ica mbourg from South Afr When she flew to Luxe life, Pat da Silva brought to set tle down to a new t had great sentimental value. with her some items tha d revels in recounting She has kept them all anobjec t. the stories behind each

“Just before my mum g we left for Luxembo It was someave me this old-fashiourg, ne thing I alway s found sped biscuit barrel. cial.”

IN MY SUITCASE

PAT DA SILVA Pat da Silva and her family moved to Luxembourg in 1989 when husband Tino landed a job at Cargolux. Luxavia was still flying a route to Johannesburg, so travel to and from the home country was much easier back then. They had with them their 15-year-old daughter Tracy and younger sons Nicolas, then 9, and Christopher who was 2.

As she talks about the objects she had in her suitcase when she first arrived in Luxembourg, Pat becomes quite emotional. “When I look at them, they bring back memories.”

Pat worked in finance, with spells at Maitland and the Bank of New York on her CV. She is perhaps the bestknown South African in Luxembourg-the founder of the South Africa Club in the early 1990s and later the head of the South Africa Stand at the Bazar International, which she still helps run with her good friend Elaine Harris (see cover story).

February 2017

e. at a friend’s plac in the corridor won it at a card game-be to ed us in “This zebra sk her German boyfriend--he Just before I left, he died.

It belonged todgering him to give it to me. y suitcase.” and I kept ba e over, it came with me in m So when I cam

ddingt s my we “I had s cleaned la for dres especially hen week hoto. But wmy this p st arrived we fir se did not r suitca through fo come time, and ce some it did a pie when dress was of theing out.” hang

“My English perfume bodance partner gave m dance and ttle. We did ballroo e this down, and hwe were very close. I m and Latin But every e moved back to E let him like to findtihme I look at it I thinkngland.

Iw im one day and say ‘I’mould sorry’.”

“My mum and it wa received this shaw we moveds another thing shel at the age of 14 sentimentato Luxembourg. I gave me when ke l things to hand dowep lots of these n to my kid s.”

ET WHAT I REEGHRIN D B G IN V A LE

aving my “I really regret leeing them all family behind. t,SeI was crying.” at the airpor

February 2017

LIFESTYLE

QUICK GUIDE

Text by DUNCAN ROBERTS

Spring notes

ntemps Musical urist Of ficeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Pri eight week s.

To y Cit rg ou mb xe Lu e er Th place at three venues ov festival this year takes a high calibre of artists from a wide ted As usual, it has attrac hin the jazz, blues and world music scene. spec trum of genres wit

ECLECTIC BILL This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Printemps Musical programme features another truly eclectic line up of artists from around the world. The festival has come a long way since its inception in 1983, when the programme had a strong classical leaning.

Now it attracts some of the best talents in jazz and world music, with nine concerts spread over two months allowing fans to get to as many of the shows as possible without feeling overwhelmed.

Some of the artists are veterans and established greats like Steve Gadd or Billy Cobham, others may be new discoveries for some concert goers, such as Akua Naru or Snow Owl (photo).

So there is something to suit all tastes this year. www.printempsmusical.lu www.luxembourg-ticket.lu

February 2017

BJ SCOTT â&#x20AC;&#x153;SATIN DOLLSâ&#x20AC;?

The Belgian based US blues singer is no stranger to Luxembourg.

This time she brings with her a show dedicated to some of the greats of jazz, including Billie Holiday, Nina Simone and Dinah Washington.

Friday 24 February NeimĂŤnster

BILLY COBHAM AND LUXEMBOURG JAZZ ORCHESTRA Approaching his 73rd birthday, the legendary jazz drummer returns to the Grand Duchy for a show with the local Luxembourg Jazz Orchestra. They will perform his Broad Horizon album, originally recorded with the Frankfurt Radio Big Band.

Wednesday 8 March den Atelier BELEM & FRIENDS Belem is diatonic accordion player Didier Laloy and cellist Kathy Adam. Together they experiment with chamber music. They are joined for this performance by singer Nicolas Achten. Also taking to the stage are quartet Ensemble Quartz and duo Constantinople.

Friday 10 March NeimĂŤnster

REBEKKA BAKKEN Norwegian jazz singer Rebekka Bakken incorporates tinges of folk into her music, but it is her singular voice that makes her really stand out from the crowd. This tour includes a tribute to the great Tom Waits.

Tuesday 14 March den Atelier

AKUA NARU Described as the â&#x20AC;&#x153;first ladyâ&#x20AC;? of global hip-hop, Akua Naru was born LaTanya Olatunji and grew up in New Haven, Connecticut. But she travelled the world and sought out her roots in West Africa before landing in Cologne.

Wednesday 22 March den Atelier

NOA & GIL DOR Israelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Noa sings in six languages and plays percussion, guitar and piano. She performs here with her longstanding collaborator, guitarist and arranger Gil Dor. Thursday 23 March Conservatoire de la Ville de Luxembourg

SNOW OWL Colombian bass guitar virtuoso Juan GarcĂ­aHerreros, now based in Vienna and known by his stage name Snow Owl, has won multiple awards and collaborated with some of the greats of jazz and world music. He plays a special six-string contrabass guitar.

Wednesday 5 April NeimĂŤnster

YURI BUENAVENTURA Yuri Buenaventura is another Colombian artist on this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Printemps bill. The salsa and tango singer is hugely popular in France. His latest album, Paroles, features many different styles, including mambo and cha-cha-cha.

Wednesday 5 April NeimĂŤnster STEVE GADD BAND A drummer whose credits include Paul Simonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;50 Ways to Leave Your Loverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Rickie Lee Jonesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chuck E.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s In Loveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Steely Danâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ajaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and Van McCoyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Hustleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; has little else to prove. But Steve Gadd has done so much more and his credits include work with the likes of Dr. John, James Brown, Kate Bush and Paul McCartney.

Last year the Steve Gadd Band released an acclaimed live album, Way Back Home.

Friday 21 April den Atelier

THE VENUES

DEN ATELIER Opened in 1995, the converted garage is the grand-daddy of independent live music venues.

It was the first venue to regularly attract major international pop and rock artists, but retains its intimate ambience.

54 rue de Hollerich, Luxembourg-Gare www.atelier.lu

NEIMĂ&#x2039;NSTER The former abbey and prison is in a beautiful setting on the Alzette river below the Bock rock. The abbey regularly hosts concerts including a Sunday jazz brunch.

28 rue MĂźnster, Luxembourg-Grund www.neimenster.lu

CONSERVATOIRE The auditorium of the capital cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music school was once home to the national orchestra and is now used more sparingly for public concerts.

33 rue Charles Martel, Luxembourg-Merl www.conservatoire.lu

Andreas. H. Bitesnich Bastien Internicola

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Conférences

Stands

Evénements

Service clé en main et organisation

YES, we do.

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ON STAGE

Text by DUNCAN ROBERTS

14 shows you must see

MOULETTES Idiosyncratic Brighton-based quartet Moulettes have released three albums of experimental but harmonic music that has been labelled art rock, but incorporates elements of folk and jazz. The band itself says it plays its own brand of â&#x20AC;&#x153;charismatic, idiosyncratic yet poppy brand of progressive, psychedelic neo-classical folk rock.â&#x20AC;? A new album, Preternatural, has just been released.

22 February de Gudde WĂŤllen, Luxembourg-Centre www.deguddewellen.lu February 2017

MIAH PERSSON & IAN BOSTRIDGE Master singers Two major singing talents perform with the OPL. British tenor Ian Bostridge, who was an artist in residence at the Phil in 2011, sings the Nocturne song cycle by Benjamin Britten. Swedish soprano Miah Persson then sings â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Das himmlische Lebenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as the OPL plays Mahlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 4th. The programme opens with Brittenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Passacagliaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; from Peter Grimes.

16 February Philharmonie, Luxembourg-Kirchberg www.philharmonie.lu

MĂ&#x153;NCHNER PHILHARMONIKER Rachmaninov rules Valery Gergiev conducts the Munich orchestra in a programme dominated by two works by Sergei Rachmaninov. It opens with Debussyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun, then launches into the Russian composerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Second concerto for piano and orchestra with soloist Daniil Trifonov (photo). The programme ends with the Symphonic Dances.

17 February Philharmonie, Luxembourg-Kirchberg www.philharmonie.lu

ANDY SHAUF Gorgeous organic Canadian singer-songwriter Andy Shauf comes to Luxembourg on the back of his third solo record, The Party. Critically acclaimed by the likes of Exclaim, which compares Shauf to the songwriting greats of the 60s and 70s, the record has â&#x20AC;&#x153;gorgeous instrumentation, subtle arrangements and an all-round organic feel.â&#x20AC;? Support comes from sister act Tasseomancy.

17 February Rotondes, Luxembourg-Bonnevoie www.rotondes.lu

TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB Indie popsters With their third album, Gameshow, Irish indie trio Two Door Cinema Club have fully embraced the â&#x20AC;&#x153;wave of popified guitar musicâ&#x20AC;?, as the NME puts it.

The title track is a catchy but lightweight number that does sound like the band is attempting to claim ground that Foals have well covered. Elsewhere the music is in the vein of the likes of their erstwhile support band Bastille.

24 February den Atelier, Luxembourg-Gare www.atelier.lu

LUCKY CHOPS Brassed up The six musicians who make up New York City brass ensemble Lucky Chops met during band class at LaGuardia High School in midtown Manhattan. They decided to put together the sextet to redefine what brass was all about, and now they play modern versions of familiar tunes as well as their own music.

The result is joyous and raucous and sure to get the audience moving.

24 February Rockhal, Esch-Belval www.rockhal.lu

LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING MĂŠnage Ă trois Anne Simon directs Nickel BĂśsenberg, Larisa Faber and Owen Sharpe in Joe Penhallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s threehander. The story centres around Richie, a â&#x20AC;&#x153;friend from hellâ&#x20AC;?, who turns up unexpectedly to stay with a couple, Neal and Rachel, who are struggling as overworked doctors. Variety described the play as â&#x20AC;&#x153;absolutely terrificâ&#x20AC;? when it was first staged in London in 1997.

See interview page 92.

28 February & 2-4 March ThÊâtre des Capucins, Luxembourg-Centre www.theatres.lu

Dario Acosta/DG

next month ourgâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stages over the otive mb xe Lu tes na mi do sic em Mu and opera highlights to or so. From song cycles y electronica to Irish folk and am songwriters, from dre gramme is packed with aural delights .

Australian jazz, the pro

Rich Gilligan Philippe Levy-Stab Lacey Terrel Herman Sorgeloos

MARK EITZEL Songwriter supreme Originally scheduled for last October, Mark Eitzel makes his fourth visit to Dudelange.

The frontman of the muchmissed American Music Club, Eitzel is one of the most underrated songwriting and vocal talents in the United States. He packs his technically crafted songs with acerbic wit and raw emotion. His latest solo album, Hey Mr Ferryman, was released at the end of January.

28 February opderschmelz, Dudelange www.opderschmelz.lu

ANNE TERESA DE KEERSMAEKER Irrepressible energy The Belgian â&#x20AC;&#x153;grande dameâ&#x20AC;? of contemporary dance, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker is a regular visitor to the Grand ThÊâtre. She brings with her this time one of her most ambitious works, Rain, which is set to Steve Reichâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Music for 18 Musicians played live by the Ictus Ensemble. It features ten dancers who create â&#x20AC;&#x153;an irrepressible collective energy.â&#x20AC;?

1 March Grand ThÊâtre, Luxembourg-Limpertsberg www.theatres.lu

THE GLOAMING Reel good Labelled â&#x20AC;&#x153;the coolest supergroup since the Million Dollar Quartetâ&#x20AC;?, Irish-American ensemble The Gloaming features Martin Hayes, Iarla Ă&#x201C; LionĂĄird, CaoimhĂ­n Ă&#x201C; Raghallaigh, Dennis Cahill and Thomas Bartlett. Last year the bandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s second album, 2, was hailed as â&#x20AC;&#x153;exquisiteâ&#x20AC;? by The Guardian, which also said they â&#x20AC;&#x153;specialise in subtlety and surprise rather than foot-stomping playing.â&#x20AC;?

5 March Philharmonie, Luxembourg-Kirchberg www.philharmonie.lu

SARAH MCKENZIE Aussie jazz Now resident in Paris, Australian jazz singer, pianist, composer and arranger Sarah McKenzie has just released her second album. A follow-up to 2015â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s We Could Be Lovers, Paris In The Rain is her love letter to the City of Light. The record includes original songs and standards, sung in both English and French, that explore more textures than her debut.

9 March Philharmonie, Luxembourg-Kirchberg www.philharmonie.lu

NHK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA With Janine Jansen Artist in residence Janine Jansen performs with the NHK Symphony Orchestra from Japan, which is making its first appearance in Luxembourg. Jansen will perform Jean Sibeliusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Concerto for violin and orchestra, which the Finnish composer wrote in 1904.

The orchestra, conducted by Paavo Järvi, will also play Shostakovichâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 10th symphony.

1 March Philharmonie, Luxembourg-Kirchberg www.philharmonie.lu

THIEVERY CORPORATION Deep vibes Rob Garza and Eric Hilton make the sort of cool eclectic ambient music that you just know will be featured on film soundtracks and in advertising campaigns.

Their second album, The Mirror Conspiracy, is a skilful exercise in style that Pitchfork called â&#x20AC;&#x153;the soundtrack your mediated soul requires.â&#x20AC;? The band has a new album, The Temple of I & I, out in February.

2 March den Atelier, Luxembourg-Gare www.atelier.lu

THE BLACK HEART PROCESSION Indie rock vets Formed 20 years ago, The Black Heart Procession have been described as â&#x20AC;&#x153;purveyors of all things disconsolate.â&#x20AC;? Their music is dark and brooding, spectral and timeless with â&#x20AC;&#x153;theatrical undercurrentsâ&#x20AC;?, according to AllMusic. For its 20th anniversary tour, the band will be performing debut record, 1, in its entirety and then will play some other tracks for their encore.

11 March Rotondes, Luxembourg-Bonnevoie www.rotondes.lu February 2017

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February 2017

INTERVIEW

Text by DUNCAN ROBERTS

Photography by MARION DESSARD

The lives we lead

lzburg , direc ting a projec t in Sa Anne Simon , fresh fromshowcase her talent at the Capucins is about to once again e Penhall’s Love and Understanding. with a production of Jo

I

t was Tom Leick, director of the Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, who first suggested Joe Penhall’s 1997 play Love and Understanding to Anne Simon as her project for the season.

“I thought, hmm, relationship drama, that’s not really 100% my cup of tea. But then I read it and I thought it was absolutely brilliant.” Although it is a relationship drama, Simon says the play is also very much about theatre: “The drama only evolves when a third person arrives; but there is something so theatrical about him. He appears at the beginning of the play, but he could be a deus ex machina. Which is brilliant as the opening of a play.”

CASTING SHAKE-UP Once she was sold on the play, Simon definitely wanted to work again with Larisa Faber, who starred in last year’s All New People at the Capucins. “She has a great comic talent. The language is comical and so quick and snappy, which is something Larisa can work with really nicely.” German actor Nickel Bösenberg may seem like an odd choice for the play, says Simon. “But he works for the role. It may be more work to perform in English, but I like the way he works with the language--it almost adds another level of consciousness. He is very precise with language.” His character is a bit German; a bit stiff and rigorous, she jokes.

The last piece of the three-hander jigsaw is British actor Owen Sharpe. “I thought it would be interesting to shake up those Luxembourg ensembles where everybody knows everyone; where we know what to expect.” She thought it would also help the rehearsal process and make the

development of the play more interesting.

Sharpe was cast following a series of auditions held in London.

Faber and Bösenberg play two NHS doctors, Rachel and Neal, who are so overworked they seem to live their lives in parallel--they barely see each other.

“The NHS problem itself has something tragi-comic about it,” says Simon, who spent some years in London. But Rachel and Neal’s relationship is truly shaken up by the arrival of Richie, an old friend who turns up unexpectedly. Richie is described as “a decadent, self-deceived and deceiving drifter, who has spent the best part of his twenties and thirties bumming around the world in search of instant kicks and pretending to be a brooding Graham Greene creation, but coming across as something a lot closer to Dr. Gonzo.”

SHIFTING DYNAMICS Simon says that the play highlights some familiar problems of communication, how sometimes we use circuitous routes, or put

on a mask, to say something that could be said straight out. “I mean here it is very over the top, but it’s something we all do.

It is very much about having the courage to say things or to change something if we are leading lives we are not happy with. That dilemma between the life they are leading and the life they could have creates really interesting tension within each character, that then is transported into the triangle.” The play revolves around the shifting dynamics of the triangle, says the director.

Love and Understanding has a naturalistic soap opera quality about it, but the play sounds not a million miles removed from the dark edgy verbal humour used to explore the human psyche in All New People. “It is more British, so probably even edgier. Although I have to say that dark British humour and American Jewish humour are not that far removed from another. In terms of language it is perhaps even quicker and sharper.”

See page 90 for details

" IT IS VERY MUCH ABOUT HAVING THE COURAGE TO SAY THINGS OR TO CHANGE SOMETHING IF WE ARE LEADING LIVES WE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH." ANNE SIMON

February 2017

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CINEMA

Text by DUNCAN ROBERTS

d e t s e t n o c y l t o H festival

carefully selec ted y Film Festival features ople The 7th Luxembourg Citecial screenings and a chance to meet the pe sp , ns tio sec n tio eti comp vies being shown. behind some of the mo

W

hen the seventh edition of the Luxembourg City Film Festival opens on Thursday 2 March, its organisers will breathe a sigh of relief safe in the knowledge that they have once again managed to put on a programme packed with films that will spark debate among audiences and provide a fresh insight into many of the topics that concern contemporary society.

But finding films and gaining authorisation to screen them, coordinating logistics and ensuring that time slots are available at the cinemas, never mind inviting guests to Luxembourg and organising travel and accommodation and a team of hosts to look after them is a real challenge --and one that is only ever complete once the festival starts (and sometimes not even then).

But after six years on the front line, festival coordinators Alexis Juncosa and Gladys Lazareff, backed by an artistic committee that makes the final selection as well as a team of determined assistants and volunteers, are by now seasoned soldiers in the fight to get the best possible programme together.

14 TO WATCH This year’s choice includes Julia Ducournau’s fascinating coming-of-age cannibal story Grave (Raw in English). The story of a Belgian medical student (Garance Marillier), a virgin and vegetarian, who comes to crave the taste of flesh following some extreme induction rituals forced on freshmen by older students (including her older sister, played by the beautiful Ella Rumpf), the film is also a fine study of the relationship between the siblings.

Strong female performances are something of a hallmark of this year’s festival. Mylène MacKay delivers a powerful turn as the titular heroine in Nelly, a nuanced Canadian film based on the life of novelist and former sex worker Nelly Arcan.

Margita Gosheva returns to the festival screens as an ice-queen government PR executive in Bulgarian political drama Glory, directed by Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov, the team behind 2015 competition winner The Lesson (which also starred Gosheva).

More familiar female faces include Jessica Chastain as a smart and ruthless lobbyist in Washington political drama Miss Sloane and February 2017

Rachel Weisz opposite Timothy Spall in courtroom drama Denial, based on the infamous libel case brought against Deborah Lipstadt by Holocaust denier David Irving. One of the world’s highest paid actresses, Fan Bingbing stars in another legal drama, though one with a generous helping of the surreal and violent, as a woman taking on the Chinese bureaucratic machine in I Am Not Madame Bovary. And rounding off our list of impressive females is Brenda Blethyn, who voices the great Raymond Briggs’s mother (with Jim Broadbent the father) in the animated adaptation of his graphic novel Ethel and Ernest (a Luxembourg co-production, no less).

Then there is Tim Sutton’s innovative but disturbing Dark Night, which evokes the lead up to a mass shooting in a multiplex cinema. Also from the States comes border patrol thriller Transpecos, the feature film debut of director Greg Kwedar set in the badlands of western Texas near the Mexican border.

The latest film by Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki, The Other Side of Hope, features his usual dose of dark comedy against the backdrop of a refugee seeking asylum. And another critically acclaimed director, though one who has lost his ways of late, Terrence Malick, is represented at the festival with his brand new film Song to Song starring Ryan Gosling, Michael Fassbender and Rooney Mara.

The documentary competition often includes some of the best films in the festival. This year’s batch features the poetic words of civil rights activist James Baldwin in Raoul Peck’s essential I Am Not Your Negro. Rat Film is a study of urban America in decay. And Tower is a stunningly made docu-thriller with dramatised animated scenes about one of the first mass shootings in the United States at the University of Texas in 1966.

Declaration of interest: Duncan Roberts is on the artistic committee of the Luxembourg City Film Festival.

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" IT’S RARE TO SEE SUCH CONFIDENCE IN A FIRST FEATURE, YET DUCOURNAU SEEMS TO KNOW WHERE SHE’S GOING AT ALL TIMES…" JORDAN MINTZER (THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER) ON “GRAVE”

RECOMMENDED VIEWING A. Rachel Weisz stars as historian Deborah Lipstadt in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Denialâ&#x20AC;?

B. Margita Gosheva goes nuts for power in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gloryâ&#x20AC;?

C. Fan Bingbing tackles the Chinese bureaucratic machine in â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Am Not Madame Bovaryâ&#x20AC;?

D. Jessica Chastain is a smart lobbyist in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Miss Sloaneâ&#x20AC;?

E. Aki Kaurismäkiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Other Side of Hopeâ&#x20AC;? features the Finnish directorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trademark dark humour F. Brenda Blethyn and Jim Broadbent voice the leads in Luxembourg co-production â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ethel and Ernestâ&#x20AC;?

G. Border patrol thriller â&#x20AC;&#x153;Transpecosâ&#x20AC;? explores the badlands of western Texas H. The words of civil rights activist James Baldwin are central to the documentary â&#x20AC;&#x153;I Am Not Your Negroâ&#x20AC;?

I. Garance Marillier gives a bravura performance in Belgian horror film â&#x20AC;&#x153;Graveâ&#x20AC;?

J. Terrence Malick packs his latest, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Song to Songâ&#x20AC;?, with some of Hollywoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hottest actors K. Mylène MacKay is fascinating in the title role of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nellyâ&#x20AC;?

L. Documentary â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rat Filmâ&#x20AC;? is a powerful essay on the four-legged creature and a critique on urban America

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LUXEMBO RG CITY FILM FESTU IVAL

Thursday 2 to Sunday 12 Mar Various locatio ch ns Luxembourg Ci in ww w.luxfilmfe ty st.lu

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February 2017

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LIFESTYLE

KIDS

Text by WENDY WINN

Getting a reel education TO SELFIE OR NOT TO SELFIE Video artist Clara Thomineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s workshop is just one of the many opportunities to gain firsthand artistic experience and hands-on skills. It will also tackle the question of what kids put online, and how.

Saturday 11 March Casino Luxembourg CRAZY COMEDY The Crazy CinĂŠmatographe for Kids line-up of silent comedies includes live music from pianist Hughes MarĂŠchal and live entertainment

by Fränz Hausemer.

Monday 6 to Friday 10 March (3 shows each day) Tent in the Capucins courtyard

N

ow in its 7th year, the Young Audience section of the Luxembourg City Film Festival provides the opportunity to learn in many ways. First, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the rich school of exploring experiences that you can attend just by watching a film, and on top of that, there are hands-on activities for various ages including workshops with cool themes like animation, 3D and virtual reality.

Even the youngest of children--from the tender age of 3--can learn from the experience of going to see a film; even very short animated films that touch on themes like friendship. The festival is a pioneer in offering the â&#x20AC;&#x153;My First Cinemaâ&#x20AC;? programme to tiny tots who are already learning how to â&#x20AC;&#x153;readâ&#x20AC;? visuals in a world where they are exposed to everything from emoji on their parentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s phones to video games and iPads designed for their age group.

The festival programmers have also catered specifically to older children in age groups 5 to 9 February 2017

and 9 to 12. Kids can also help pick out the Coup de CĹ&#x201C;ur prize winner; and the choice wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be easy with films like Melusine Productions 3D adventure about an orphan sparrow, Richard, who thinks heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a stork (photo).

The challenges in the films selected for older teens are even more heart-wrenching and reflect contemporary realities. They tackle, for example, what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s like to be in love in times of civil war, to be an Afghan refugee forced into marriage and a 16-year-old victim of cyber-bullying...

High school students can vote for their favourite films as members of the Youth Jury.

And if thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not enough of a reel education, there are workshops, literary sessions, concerts, an open screen night (bring your own film!), live cinema and more.

LUXEMBOURG CITY FILM FESTIVAL 2 to 12 March www.luxfilmfest.lu

ANIMATION MASTERCLASSES Study the evolution of animated film and meet local Oscar winner StĂŠphan Roelants to explore animation as a way to provide cultural and social education.

Sunday 5 March Quartier GĂŠnĂŠral

Melusine Productions

From toddlers to teens, the capitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s big annual film festival has something intriguing to offer to young audiences.

THURSDAY

Open Days @ISL

9 MARCH 1.30 pm-3.30 pm UPPER SCHOOL

TUESDAY

7 MARCH 9.00 am-11.00 am LOWER SCHOOL

Register on: www.islux.lu * Whether you are interested in applying or just want to learn more about the life and education at the International School of Luxembourg we warmly welcome you to join us at the ISL Open Days.

The Open Days will begin with a presentation by our academic leaders and students introducing the academic programme and the approach to learning at ISL. Following the presentation, our Admissions team will be offering a guided tour of the school providing further information and answering questions.

At ISL our mission is to provide an outstanding education and inspire our students to engage in both academic and enriching extra-curricular programmes. Our students set high expectations for themselves, enjoy school and the community is constantly rewarded by their achievements.

ISL has earned its outstanding reputation through its studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; successes, its rigorous educational programme, its excellent and dedicated staff, its caring community and its engagement in global issues. With over 40 nationalities in our student body and more than 20 nationalities within our staff, friendship, international mindedness, diversity and inclusion are ways of life in our multi-cultural environment.

*Beside the Open Days we also offer individually tailored tours of the school almost every day of the week. More info on www.islux.lu

LIFESTYLE

THE BACK PAGE

What’s your question?

Gentle reader, indeed you will have heard many German carnival/après-ski songs (the differences are starting to blur) on Luxembourg’s carnival parades and balls. This music is indeed an acquired taste.

Luxembourgers do have their own songs, but there aren’t enough to fill a whole evening’s dancing with. Many of the old ones have been forgotten or are not popular anymore. The German songs are so well known over here that everyone can sing along--even non-German speakers get the melodies and chorus quite quickly and join in!

rg’s e fac ts” from Luxembou ions est You won’t get “alternativ qu ers sw t as she an favourite advice columnisquette and presidential visits . eti ok bo ce Fa l, va on carni

Dear Auntie Eleanor, I have heard that carnival is kind of a big thing here in Luxembourg.

Where is the best parade?

--Carole in Bonnevoie Gentle reader, you are right, many Luxembourgers love the season of carnival to chase away the winter blues and be silly!

Fortunately, there are several parades on different dates, they are fun and kids love it too.

Diekirch is arguably the biggest one, with more than 60 wagons and groups, and takes place this year on 26 February, starting at 2:30 p.m. Be sure to take the train, as parking will be a nightmare and it allows you to have a few beers.

There are other “cavalcades” in Remich (26 March) and Esch (19 March). For grown-ups only, be sure to note all the different carnival balls dotted around the country as well, especially the “Altweiberbal” (literally “old women ball”, where women let loose), which kick off the carnival season. Make an effort to find a fun fancy costume (which still can keep you warm if you go to a cavalcade) and join the revelries!

Dear Auntie Eleanor, I don’t know how tech savvy you are, but is it acceptable to create a fake Facebook account?

--Philip in Weimerskirch Gentle reader, as a silver surfer, I am fully versed on the ways of the worldwide interweb and I can tell you it is absolutely February 2017

AUNTIE ELEANOR

unacceptable! Facebook asks people to use their authentic identities for accountability.

If you’ve multiple personal profiles and Facebook knows this, you may be asked to close them. If you want an account for your pet or organisation, best to opt for a page rather than a profile. Creating a fake Facebook profile is not only a violation of Facebook’s Ts and Cs, it could also land you in court. If the photo used in the fake profile is of someone else,

you have misrepresented your identity, stolen intellectual property and possibly committed identity theft.

It’s beyond me why anyone would take the trouble!

Dear Auntie Eleanor, why do they sing so many German songs at Luxembourg’s carnival parades? Don’t they have their own songs?

--Aurélie in Huncherange

Dear Auntie Eleanor, if Donald Trump planned a state visit to Luxembourg, would the natives be up in arms as they are in the UK? --Boris from Merl Gentle reader, much to our chagrin, no US president has ever made an official visit to our beautiful country--though secretaries of state Madeleine Albright and John Kerry have both recently been here.

The closest we ever came was when Ronald Reagan infamously made a side trip to nearby Bitburg during a state visit to Germany in 1985 (incidentally, I do like to bop along every now and then to the little ditty, ‘Bonzo goes to Bitburg’, that the Ramones wrote about that controversy).

So it would set a precedent if Mr. Trump were invited by the Grand Duke for a state visit.

In any case, for someone seemingly obsessed with the size of things, surely the president wouldn’t be seen dead in our tiny country even if he might temporarily be fooled by the title Grand Duchy.

ASK 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.

Illustration by Maison Moderne

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