Mark Kitchell

Senior analyst relations manager, Amazon Web Services

What brought you to Luxembourg? A great work opportunity. However, my family has deep connections to Luxembourg as my father was a GI in WWII, and arrived here in March 1945, before entering combat in Germany.

What do you like best about the country? Luxembourg is welcoming to expats, much more than other places. I also love the history here, especially that the memory of the liberation is never forgotten.

And what does it still need to ‘make it happen’? A bit of the 24-hour culture, which exists in great cities. My dream is to be able to order pad thai at 2am!

What’s at the top of your list of hidden gems? Amazing motorcycle roads. Being able to leave the city and be riding curvy, country roads in minutes.

Do you have a favourite Luxembourgish word? Gromperekichelcher.

How do you make friends with native Luxembourgers? I got lucky; my best friend here is my neighbour. I have lived in many places and the secret to making friends is to be friendly yourself.

Luxembourg keeps the memory of its liberation in WW2 alive, says Mark Kitchell. Photo: US Embassy in Luxembourg 

Lama Alogli

Expenses controller and accountant, EY

What brought you to Luxembourg? I studied at the University of Luxembourg. Now, I work for EY. I decided to spend my life here. All beautiful things have happened to me in this small country.

What do you like best about the country? I have travelled and met so many kinds of people, but the kindness and pure hearts of the Luxembourg people are the best.

And what does it still need to ‘make it happen’? What made me happier was to establish an integration project with Radio Ara. I am still planning to found new projects for Luxembourg.

What’s at the top of your list of hidden gems? Gromperekichelcher.

Do you have a favourite Luxembourgish word? Ech hunn dech gär. 

How do you make friends with native Luxembourgers? Mostly from attending local events, but, unfortunately, we aren’t able to do that now due to covid-19.

Hynek Dedecius

Translator, CinEast artistic director

What brought you to Luxembourg? I got a job at the Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union.

What do you like best about the country? The unique multicultural environment, solid cultural offer, numerous tourist attractions, nice nature. It is also safe, green and very much family friendly.

And what does it still need to ‘make it happen’? No cargo planes waking me up every morning, please!

What’s at the top of your list of hidden gems? Besides the CinEast festival definitely the cosy Ancien Cinéma Café-Club in Vianden and getting lost in the Mullerthal’s rock labyrinths.

Do you have a favourite Luxembourgish word? Gromperekichelcher... yummy!

How do you make friends with native Luxembourgers? Through other friends, at cultural events and in front of the local school.

Lynn Frank

Co-founder of parents support group Passage

What brought you to Luxembourg? We wanted a new adventure. We stayed because of the amazing mix of people, cultures and communities.

What do you like best about the country? It is a brilliant place to bring up children. Also, it has a proud heritage of Scouting, giving young people opportunities to learn life skills outside of the classroom.

And what does it still need to ‘make it happen’? Listen more to the voices of the young people, especially from the international communities. Maybe welcome a little more rebellion than conservatism.

What’s at the top of your list of hidden gems? The bike path from the city Grund through to Hesperange. There are some lovely bridges to play ‘pooh sticks’ on.

Do you have a favourite Luxembourgish word? Gromperekichelcher. Naughty but nice.

How do you make friends with native Luxembourgers? Volunteer for a local charity.

Lynn Frank co-founded parents support group Passage. Photo: Mike Zenari 

Avishai Tene

Tattoo artist, founder of Ink Junkies Tattoo

What brought you to Luxembourg? I was invited to the Vianden Tattoo Convention. I made it one of my regular stops. After a few more years on the road, I got myself a tiny apartment near the Gare.

What do you like best about the country? The nature! Coming from a city located deep in the Israeli desert, I am in love with the green and water flow.

And what does it still need to ‘make it happen’? English. Luxembourg should have official government documents available in English. That would make the life of expats here much easier. 

What’s at the top of your list of hidden gems? The walk down from the Vianden observatory to the city. I did this trail on my first visit ever to Luxembourg.

Do you have a favourite Luxembourgish word? Äddi. This word sounds so cute and it means that, from that moment, I am free.

How do you make friends with native Luxembourgers? Through my art. We start with a tattoo and end up as friends.

A version of this article was first published in the April edition of Delano magazine. To subscribe, visit the Maison Moderne shop.