The Meaning and Origins of Fete Internationale de l'Amitie

Fete Internationale de l'Amitie (International Friendship Day) Sandweiler is such an international village with 54 different nationalities. This event originally started off to encourage the residents of Sandweiler to meet one another and to allow them to introduce their countries, traditional food dishes, beverages and cultures to the community. There is an entrance fee of Euro 3.00, you can purchase a tasting glass, with the logo of the Fete Internationale de l'Amitie, for Euro 2.00. If you do not want to keep this glass, you can return it and collect your Euro 2.00. There are usually between 14 and 20 countries that participate, there is a stand for each country. You are able to sample typical dishes, beverages and have an introduction to the country. All are welcome, it is a fun filled day for all!

Don't miss Fete Internationale de l'Amitie this year on November 23rd. Check the Calendar for more details.

A Historical Timeline of Luxembourg's Annual International Bazaar

The first Bazaar was organized by the "English-Speaking Protestant Church Community" 43 years ago, in 1960. It was termed a "Christmas Bazaar" and was held on 18th December from 3-6 pm at the Chateau Collart in Dommeldange, possibly due the success earlier that year of a "Cake
Afternoon". The variety of goods on sale consisted of home-made cakes, jams and marmalades, "Christmas Favours", English books and a "great number of items suitable as Christmas presents," with coffee, tea and "flaming hot punch" also available.

Musicians played and sany Christmas Carols, and a tombola was held with prizes including a turkey.

Upon researching the original records, one can trace letters of thanks to the British Ambassador, the American Ambassador and the American Women's Club. The first Bazaar raised 24,000 Belgian Francs which was donated to charity, including the private orphanage on Avebue Gaston Diderich.

The 2nd "Christmas Bazaar" was held the following year in 1961 at the Foyer Europeen in Rue Notre Dame, and profits went towards the Clinique d'Enfants "Fondation Jean-Josephine Charlotte". The 1962 Bazaar made 2,000 Belgian Francs.

The 1963 Christmas Bazaar then took on an international emphasis with eight nationalities having their own stalls: the American stall, the Italian stall, the French stall, the Belgian stall, the German stall, the Netherland stall, the Swedish stall and the British stall, as well as Books and Records, "Children", Afternoon Tea, Handwork and Jewellery, Plants and a Tombola. The proceeds were then distributed to the International Famine ReliefFund (Oxfam in the UK) and others to reflact the more international mix of the event. The 1962 Christmas Bazaar raised 134,000 Belgian Francs.

The 1964 "Annual Bazaar" moved to the old Fair Halls on Limpertsberg. The records report (translated from an article in the Luxembourger Wort of 9/12/1964) that "the atmosphere was international of course, the flags of the represented nations adorned the hall, six and even more languages were spoken, the scouts of the European School and the young folk in national dress sold raffle tickets...".

A look at the 1965 records shows that the Grand Duchess opened officially the "International Bazaar" for the fist time. The following nations were, by then, also represented: Austria, Bulgaria, Israel, Luxembourg, Spain and Switzerland. Also "Whilst this is no longer a Church Bazaar it still falls upon the ESPCC in Luxembourg to finance it...." The 1965 Bazaar was not followed by a dance. One Luxembourg charity and one international charity were supported.

In 1966, regarding an opening ceremony dedicating the completion of a new room at the Clinique d'Enfants "Fondation Jean-Josephine Charlotte" in the Avenue Monterey, an inscribed plaque would be permanently installed in the new room, mentioning support from the International Bazaar.

In 1966, the Steering Committee of the International Bazaar proposed (not agreed) to create an ASBL - "Bazaar International" - to be composed of all representatives of groups and countries presenting stands at the Bazaar.

In the 1970s the Bazaar moved up to the Kirchberg.