The Luxembourg I love.
I was speaking yesterday with a Polish person who lives here and "struggles to understand" the country. I hear this a lot.
Let me share with you 3 keys that can help you solve the riddle:
#1 History
To love Luxembourg as an immigrant like me, you need to know its history. The creation in 963. The centuries of Waltz with successive rulers. The providential birth of the Steel industry in the mid XIXth century. The independence. The heroic reign of Grand Duchess Charlotte. The co-creation of Europe. The 1970 energy crisis. The birth of the financial industry in 1981.
Luxembourg was already a country welcoming foreigners before that date, but the last 4 decades turned it into a true eldorado where anyone willing to work was welcome.
Trust me: this will not change in the near future.
#2 Lifestyle
Surely, rents are too high right now - a global trend - but come on: I lived in Paris... Luxembourg offers a paradisiac lifestyle by comparaison IF YOU LIVE HERE! Philharmonie, Rockhall, La Coque, Mudam, restaurants of all kinds, nature everywhere: from Bonnevoie, I reach everything in 10 minutes. And I am only a few hours away from any city in Europe.
#3 The population
I will say it with all my love: the true beauty of Luxembourg's population lies in its rural origins. Up until recently, a majority of the population was working in farming or in the steel industry. This is what people do not understand when they arrive: a singular culture made of linguistic chicanes, early distanciation and weird moods.
But once you stay here long enough and demonstrate a commitment to contribute to the local economy and social life, you are welcomed with open arms and enjoy long term friendships! Where else will you see locals encourage you to take the Luxembourgish nationality?
The key is to visualise yourself in a village, not in an international capital. A vibrant village, with an extremely active market visited by the whole world!
This is how you will understand the true nature of our society. How you will love it. And be loved in return. ❤️
Let's make it happen.
