August 17, 2018 A stroll down Schueberfouer memory lane

With Luxembourg's Schueberfouer opening just a week away, Luxembourg Times examines the history of the traditional funfair

The smell of fish frying and "Gromperekichelcher" mixes with loud squeals from above your head. Once again the Glacis car park is being transformed into the big fun fair that is Schueberfouer opening next Thursday celebrating the start of the 678th edition.

This year it will run from 23 August until 11 September.

Originally established in the Middle Ages as a trading fair by King of Bohemia and Count of Luxembourg "Jang de Blannen", or John the Blind, farmers from across the region would come together to trade and sell their goods.

They were given military protection seven days before and seven days after the fair to travel in safety.

From these humble origins at the St Esprit plateau, the fair moved to the Glacis in 1610 and has over the decades turned into the Schueberfouer we know today - an exuberant fair with impressive rides, where locals and tourists alike go for a beer, a shot of "Hunnegdrëpp" a "Mettwurst" or traditionally fried fish or of course Gromperekichelcher.

Experiencing the biggest change at the beginning of the 20th century when electricity was first used at the Glacis and the first travelling circuses were appearing across Europe, German engineer Hugo Haase introduced the "Figur-8-Bahn," which was Luxembourg's first large fairground roller coaster, at the Schueberfouer in 1910.

Up to the outbreak of the First World War, the rides became increasingly popular; however, from 1914 to 1918 the Schueberfouer stopped in Luxembourg, just as it did in 1940 when Nazi forces occupied the country. The fair was once again cancelled in 1944, but this time for a more pleasant reason, as allies were liberating Luxembourg.

Although the fun fair we know as the Schueberfouer today has over 180 rides, numerous snack bars and other stalls, the opening ceremony and the "Sheep March" testifies the Luxembourgers' affection for tradition and history.

Strolling through the fair, shepherds dressed in the traditional blue coat and red scarf, and a flock of sheep remain key to the opening ceremony.

More recently, a new mascot, the sheep "Lämmy", was introduced as a more contemporary twist to the age-old tradition.

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