Mayors' Day
Laurent Schwaller, who oversees the Schueberfouer for Luxembourg City, told RTL on Tuesday morning that organisers were pleased with the opening days of this year's fair. For him, however, success is not measured by visitor numbers alone. "What matters first of all is that nothing happens, that everything runs smoothly and there are no incidents", he said.
Attendance has also been encouraging so far. While the weather has been somewhat mixed, Sunday benefited from good conditions and drew strong crowds. Over the course of the fair's 20 days, organisers inevitably have to contend with a range of weather. The ideal conditions, he said, would be temperatures of around 20 to 25 degrees with a mixture of cloud and sunshine. Rain, however, does not necessarily keep visitors away. "Luxembourgers go to their Fouer. They come even when it rains", he said.
Tuesday also marks the 21st edition of the Schueberfouer's traditional Mayors' Day. A total of 54 mayors from across Luxembourg are taking part this year, serving customers at 18 restaurants and other establishments around the fair. Schwaller said the event has developed into an established tradition, offering mayors an opportunity to meet both one another and members of the public in a more relaxed setting.
The number of participating mayors also highlights how far the Schueberfouer's appeal extends beyond Luxembourg City. All municipalities are invited to take part, although participation is voluntary. Some mayors are away on holiday at this time of year, while others deliberately keep the date free in their calendars so they can attend.
Asked whether politicians always prove competent waiters, Schwaller joked that "what happens at the Fouer stays at the Fouer". The mayors receive some guidance before starting, while several already have experience in hospitality. Their work also serves a charitable purpose: fairground operators make a donation equivalent to the mayors' "wages", with the proceeds going to a charitable organisation each year.
Another long-standing initiative took place on Monday, when non-profit organisation Stemm vun der Strooss brought people experiencing difficult circumstances to the fair. Guests were invited by fairground operators to enjoy the attractions and were also treated to meals at two restaurants. Around 500 people who might otherwise struggle to afford a visit to the fair will attend through such initiatives this year, with the costs covered by Luxembourg City and the fairground operators. "It is very important to us as organisers that the Fouer is for everyone", he said.
Affordability remains a recurring topic, particularly as food prices have risen. Examples of EUR6 for a Mettwurst and EUR7.50 for Gromperekichelcher were raised. Schwaller said each operator proposes their own prices, although the City monitors them to ensure they remain within a reasonable range. Visitors can find both more expensive and cheaper options, including snacks for around EUR3 or EUR4.
The fair also includes two family days offering reduced prices, as well as half-price offers on the final day. There is no admission fee and public transport to the fair is free. "You can walk around the Fouer without spending anything. You can spend a lot, or you can spend very little. There is something for every budget and every taste."