Happy Buergbrennen!

Sonndeg, 14 Februar.

Just a quick post today from Luxembourg, where people are celebrating Valentine's Day by burning giant crosses.

No, really! For Luxembourgers, today is not only Valentine's Day; it also happens to be a beloved tradition called Buergbrennen. And although I am celebrating a typically American Valentine's Day (read: eating chocolate and watching chick flicks with girl friends), I thought it might be fun to tell you a little more about how the average Luxembourger is spending their 14 February.

Traditionally celebrated in parts of France, Germany, and Belgium, this holiday is now celebrated in Luxembourg on the first Sunday of Lent, Buergsonndeg. Despite these religious associations, Buergbrennen originated as a pagan festival that marked the annual triumph of spring over winter. Today, locals gather together to construct Buergen, massive bonfires topped with wooden crosses, and to eat traditional food. Then, as the sun sets, they then march in a torchlight procession and set fire to the Buergen, using the flames to chase away winter and mark the beginning of spring!

PS. Is this not strange enough for you? Then check out the town of Remich, which marks the beginning of Lent with the burning of a straw person. The Luxemburger Wort has the scoop!

There's No Place like Home for the Holidays

Sonndeg, 27 Dezember.

I had a wonderful December in Luxembourg. From exploring Luxembourg City and watching the Luxembourg Light Nights spectacle with my roommates to visiting Christmas markets in Metz, Trier, and Brussels, it was truly an amazing month. However, I am so thankful that I was able to head back home for Christmas. I got to see family and some of my best friends, go to Target (more times than I'm proud to admit), and eat as much chips and queso as my stomach could handle.

I guess they're right -- there's no place like home for the holidays!

The First and Best "Quatorze Juillet"

Mardi, 15 juillet.

Bonjour and Happy Bastille Day!

Bastille Day -- or le quatorze juillet as it is commonly referred to in France -- has been celebrated annually in France since the 1880s. It commemorates the storming of the Bastille fortress by the French people in 1789, an event that kicked off the French Revolution. Although le jour national is celebrated all over France (and in countries with French ties worldwide), the biggest and best celebrations happen, of course, in Paris.

After a day of parades and special events, the day concludes with a fireworks display at the Tour Eiffel. This year, the celebrations kicked off around 9:30 with a live concert.