Some details of the Esch2022 line-up had previously trickled through but organisers during a press conference on 28 October offered a bigger overview of the multifaceted programme.

More than 130 projects, resulting from a call for applications, have been selected to be part of the and nearly 2,000 events will be spread over this cultural year. However, it is difficult to find strong events that stand out with the programme is above all a large accumulation of projects carried out by the partners. Esch2022 is only a large net that draws in all this effort and individual goodwill.

The territory at the heart of everything

What ultimately connects all these projects is a strong link between the south of Luxembourg and the eight neighbouring French communes, the history and future of this region, a former mining basin, a land of migration, but also a little-known nature reserve. Each of the communes making up the Esch2022 territory will be honoured, in turn, for a period of one month. The first three municipalities will be Käerjeng, Pétange and Bettembourg.

Another common thread in the programme is the citizen participation inherent in many projects. Amateur practices are widely present, as are workshops (there are no less than 360 of them).

Remix...

This context makes it possible to develop the leitmotiv “Remix Culture which brings together “all the possibilities of culture and what defines us as human beings, together and individually,” announced Françoise Poos, director of the cultural programme.

The four sub-themes previously stated remain: “Remix Yourself” which explores identities and openness towards Europe; “Remix Nature” whose central pivot is sustainable development in the context of the climate urgency; “Remix Europe” which attempts to break down clichés to create a new European home based on the circular economy, well-being and equality; and finally “Remix Culture” whose focus through contemporary art allows for a coming together of technology and history.

In addition to the projects led by local actors, three international partnerships have been set up directly by the Esch2022 team for the exhibitions in the Möllerei in Belval, with the ZKM I Centre for Art and Media Karlsruhe, Ars Electronica and HEK (House of Electronic Arts in Basel). And an open-air concert by the Black Eyed Peas has just been announced by the Rockhal.

The Esch2022 project comes with a price tag of €138m.

This story was first published in French on . It has been translated and edited for Delano.