We alluded to Game of Thrones
 the last time we wrote about Luxembourg’s winter traditions and the celebrations over the next two months or so in various towns and villages around the country also have something
of a medieval fantasy atmosphere about them.

The first Sunday of Lent, for example, is Buergsonndeg. Now legendary among expat residents who have never seen such a thing, this celebration and involves the lighting of a huge fire, often in the shape of a cross,
in village and neighbourhoods. The fire represents the victory of the sun over winter and is supposed to herald in spring.

Local associations such as scout troops
or the volunteer fire brigade will organise the collection of combustible material for the fire--the Buerg--and
the festivities will include the ubiquitous grill selling sausages and pork chops as well as a drinks stand selling champagne, beer and even Glühwein if the weather is cold enough.

Incidentally, the word Buerg
in this case is not derived from the German word
for castle, but from the Latin comburere, meaning 
to burn.

This year, Buergsonndeg falls on Sunday 22 February so look out in your neighbourhood for activity--though once again the Ville de Luxembourg will not be hosting a fire in the Pétrusse due to the construction work on the Pont Adolphe.

Carnival in Luxembourg might not have the exotic flavour of celebrations in Rio or the soul of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, nor, indeed the ritual and ceremony and strange language of Karneval in Mainz, Cologne or other German cities, but it is celebrated by one and all.

The carnival period stretches over several weeks and takes in parades, usually on a Sunday, through the streets in towns such as Diekirch (15 February), Esch-sur-Alzette (8 March) and Pétange and Remich (both 15 March) as well as huge costume balls.

And fire plays a part in a special tradition in Remich on Wednesday 18 February, when a straw man effigy is taken on to the bridge over the Moselle, set alight and thrown into the river.