Buergbrennen 2024: Where and when will Luxembourg burn the winter away? (2024)

Buergbrennen also presents a perfect opportunity to see neighbours and others around the neighbourhood, from local personalities to different clubs.

At the end of the article, you will find a list of all the different locations where a Buergbrennen will take place in Luxembourg this Sunday.

Usually, every village, big or small, organises their own Buergbrennen. Wood, straw and other materials such as old Christmas trees are gathered in advance to be burnt in a large, open area on a pyre with a cross or a torch.

Often, a torch procession is organised that marches through the different villages before the torches are then used to set the pyre on fire. However, there is also a common tradition for a newlywed couple or a local personality to light the bonfire.

Traditionally, Buergbrennen takes place on "Buergsonndeg" (Torch Sunday). However, nowadays local clubs also tend to organise them on Saturdays and even Fridays.

Many of the local clubs managing Buergbrennen arrangements — such as the scouts — organise the event to allow young kids to participate in the traditional festivities. Friday and Saturday events allow parents to enjoy the glow of the bonfire without worrying about an early Monday morning school run the next day.

An old tradition

The tradition's purpose is to communally chase away the cold, and symbolically burn away the winter. This practice is not just limited to Luxembourg. In neighbouring regions in France and Germany, the tradition of burning the winter away with a bonfire has a strong foothold.

For example, in the Swabian-German area, Buergbrennen is called 'Funkenfeuer'. In Zurich, Switzerland,people torch a 'Böögg' during the 'Sechseläuten'. For our French neighbours, the tradition is called the 'fête des brandons'.

Originally, 'Buergbrennen' was a pagan tradition and used to take place at the beginning of spring. The celebration symbolises the return of spring, marking the triumph of warmth over the cold.

In the past, farmers and wine growers used the Buergbrennen bonfire to predict future weather conditions: "As the smoke goes on Buergsonndeg, so goes the entire pre-summer." Experts also note that the word 'Buerg' itself has nothing to do with a castle but is derived from the Latin word 'burere', meaning 'to burn'.

Read more about the history of Buergbrennen here.

The Buergbrennen of the 'Buergfrënn' inNiederanven

One of the biggest Buergbrennen in the country is in the municipality of Niederanven,taking place this Sunday, organised by the 'Buergfrënn'.

The group has been working hard for the past two weeks to build their bonfire. However, the actual process begins in November every year, when two architects devise blueprints for the bonfire.

Once a proposal has been decided upon, materials can be gathered. This year, the team gathered 2000 pallets and 70kg of nails to build the bonfire on a field betweenNiederanven and Munsbach.

An evolving tradition

This weekend, bonfires will be lit across the country, symbolically saying goodbye to winter. While bonfires in the central and southern parts of the Grand Duchy are usually organised by local fire departments or scout groups, in theÉislek region, the task is often taken on by youth clubs.

However, due to space constraints in many places, alternative solutions need to be found. For example, in Hosingen, alongside the youth club, members of the FOAH association also lend a hand. Over time, this has led to the tradition taking place on Saturdays instead of Sundays. FOAH President Roland Heinen explains:

"I think we are all getting a bit older. We all have families and kids and it's just more fun this way as people have more time available on Saturday evenings. Often Buergbrennen falls on the final day of the Carnival holidays. Then on Monday, school starts again and understandably, people don't really want to be out and about with their kids until 9 or 10pm. Therefore, we decided to do it on a Saturday, it is more comfortable this way and more people are able to join."

Due to environmental protection concerns, things like tyres are not permitted as bonfire material. However, this is not considered an impediment to the structure of the bonfire in any way.

When and where?

When and where will you be able to attend a Buergbrennen and chase the winter away later today?

Note: events taking place on Saturday have been removed.