In the late morning, groups of people began to gather on the square between Boulevard Royal and Rue Aldringen. "We haven't raised the prices here," says Pascale Biever, secretary of the Tornado stock car team based in Hamm. The sales the team makes at its grill stands are its main source of funding. And the braderie in the capital city represents "a big ticket", with 80 kilos of chips sold, more than on the eve of a bank holiday. This year, with attendance levels reaching the same "as before Covid", Biever is delighted.
The same is true of fashion store Manalena, where about 15 people at a time are flipping through the clothes on the racks. "There are a lot of people and they are buying more than in the last two years," says saleswoman Lena Dylewick.
The further you go towards the city centre, the narrower and noisier the streets become. The red "5 euros" labels at Only caught Josette's eye: "I hadn't been to the sidewalk sales for several years. I wanted to go for a walk," she says, having made the journey by car and tram. "If I see something, it's good!”
“It's impressive, we're understaffed, there really are a lot of people," says Philippe Haziza, head of the Version Originale sneaker shop. Even if "it's only at the end of the match that we know the score". But it will be difficult to compare with the pre-pandemic period, since the shop has moved he explains.
Summer shopping
Further on, Patrick waits in the sun with a pushchair, while his wife rummages through Jacadi's boxes. "We came for a walk with the good weather and found something for the little one," he smiles.
Lush, which had previously dropped participation in the sale because of covid, has reopened its stall and has found "as many people as in 2019," according to manager, Murielle Graas. For the cosmetics shop, which does not offer promotions, a day of sales represents a "good Saturday".
For The Kooples, it's more like "a summer month", says assistant manager Safouen Krichen. However, Monday morning was "slow", according to manager, Angela Giglia. "There are a lot of shops around that are not participating," she explains. "And in people's minds, prices have gone up everywhere." Although some shoppers feel otherwise. "I got some good deals," says Lucienne, carrying several bags in her hand. She is a regular at the braderie, and doesn't see any increase compared to previous editions. "There are still some good promotions, at 50% or 60% off.”
A place for politicians
2022 also marks the return of the political party stands, gathered in Place d'Armes. "It gives the impression that all parties are the same", regrets , a déi Lénk member of parliament . She is nevertheless pleased with the crowd, to whom party members are handing out invitations for their anti-cost-of-living party. "A young sociologist who has just arrived in Luxembourg came to find out what we want to do to integrate these new residents,” she said.
Visitors to the Fokus stand, which is a little more isolated, "don't seem to be sure of the established parties and want an opinion that is not yet known,” says , founder and spokesman of . "The good thing is that everyone is interested.”
This article was originally written in and has been translated and edited by Delano.