As our Paperjam colleagues report, Esch 2022’s cultural and artistic offerings will sprawl across the Belval site, with the terrasses near the old blast furnaces (Hauts Fourneaux) serving as the main focal point. 

Originally it was under discussion for the Halle des Soufflantes, the “All We Need” building, to serve as the main site for the programme, but it is confirmed this will not be the case. Le Fonds Belval will therefore be muscling in via constructions, restorations and getting the facilities in order by the anticipated start in February 2022, which will be the third time the grand duchy holds a capital of culture title. In 1995, the title was given to Luxembourg City; in 2007, the programme covered the greater region, albeit the main focus was again on the capital. 

But it’s the first time Esch-sur-Alzette gets such a moment in the spotlight. As organisers have stated on the programme website, “It is hard to think of any region in Europe, where we might get a better and clearer sense of a possible future for our continent than here in Esch and southern Luxembourg. It was here that the process of European integration was developed within the European Coal and Steel Community against the background of what had happened during the war.”

For more information, visit esch2022.lu/en