Schifflange, as part of the Minett UNESCO Biosphere, is a municipality with a rich industrial history and an exciting future. It is also the final stop on our tour of the 11 member municipalities of the biosphere reserve, where we have been talking to the mayors this year about their municipality, our region, and the future of the Minett.

Our “Minett-Location” of the month: Lallengerbierg

In the 43rd episode of the Minett Mash-Up Podcast, we climbed the Lallengerbierg, our location of the month. This beloved recreational area, spanning 282 hectares, not only offers a fantastic view and is home to around 500 different butterfly species, but it is also the main habitat of the Woodlark in Luxembourg. Various hiking trails, such as the Minett Trail or the Schifflange auto-pédestre trail, make this place a highlight for nature lovers and the residents of the villages at the foot of the Lallengerbierg.

In this episode, we delve into the importance of the Lallengerbierg for Schifflange, not just for its natural beauty, but also as a symbol of the connection between nature and the region’s industrial past. Mayor Carlo Feiereisen is also asked why he chose this location for the recording and what the Lallengerbierg means to him personally.

Our guest: Carlo Feiereisen

Our guest in this episode is Carlo Feiereisen, who has been the mayor of Schifflange since the beginning of August. In the interview, we discuss his new role, which he took over following a planned transition from the former mayor, Pol Weimerskirch. He talks about how he has settled into the new position in the few months since his appointment and how this transition, which was set out in the coalition agreement, proceeded.

Besides his role as mayor, Carlo Feiereisen is also a member of the board of directors of Agora and on the committee of the municipal syndicate PRO-SUD. In the podcast, we discuss his vision for Schifflange up to 2029, specific passion projects he wants to implement, the regional development of southern Luxembourg, particularly concerning the redevelopment of industrial brownfield sites, and how Schifflange is linking its industrial past with modern urban development, exemplified by the Metzeschmelz project.

Other topics in our conversation include his professional background as a nurse anesthetist, the international character of the municipality with over 10,000 residents, and infrastructure projects such as the international high school soon to be established in Schifflange. We also touch on the symbolism of the Schifflange steelworks as a link between past labor and the future, and Carlo Feiereisen shares his personal connection to the industrial heritage with us.

© CNCI & Minett UNESCO Biosphere

Our quiz:

Question A: In what year was the agreement on the redevelopment of the former Esch-Schifflange steelworks as part of an urban development program signed?

1. 2018
2. 2020*
3. 2022

 

Question B: How many people work in Schifflange today compared to the time when the steel industry was at its peak?

1. Approximately the same number – just in different sectors
2. About half as many, after the steelworks closed
3. More than ever – due to growth and new economic activities*

 

Question C: According to legend, how many days (or nights) did one have to drink from the Marxeweier to avoid dying a bachelor or an old maid?

1. 5 days
2. 8 days*
3. 13 days

 

Links to the topics of this episode:

• Schifflange Bird Ringing Station – Station for ringing migratory birds in the Brill
• Lallengerbierg – One of the core zones of the Minett UNESCO Biosphere
• Municipality of Schifflange – One of the 11 municipalities of the Minett Biosphere
• Paul Weimerskirch – Predecessor of Carlo Feiereisen as mayor of Schifflange
• Metzeschmelz – Urban development plan for a brownfield site between Esch and Schifflange
• Musée vun de Schmelzaarbechter – Museum dedicated to the work at the Esch-Schifflange steelworks
• Ferro Forum – Collective of dedicated volunteers committed to preserving knowledge about steelworks
• International School Schifflange – Project of the municipality together with the Ministry of Education
• Esch Hospital – officially CHEM, regional hospital for the south of Luxembourg with 3 locations in Esch, Dudelange, and Niederkorn
• Legend of the Marxeweier – local legend brought back to life for Esch2022
• Renaturation of the Alzette – This project was launched around Schifflange nearly 30 years ago

 

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