The Fouer
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 would be temperatures of around 20°C to 25°C 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 marked the 21st edition of the Schueberfouer's traditional Mayors' Day. A total of 54 mayors from across Luxembourg took part, serving customers at 18 restaurants and other establishments around the fair. 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.
Asked whether politicians always prove competent waiters, Schwaller joked that "what happens at the Fouer stays at the Fouer". The mayors' 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 will attend through such initiatives this year, with 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, potato fritters, were raised. Schwaller said each operator proposes their own prices, although the City monitors them to ensure they remain within a reasonable range. He also pointed out that 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."
The maximum fee charged by Luxembourg City for a pitch at the Schueberfouer is EUR2,250 for the full 20 days, with the precise amount calculated according to the size of the space occupied. Despite those costs, demand from operators remains high. The City receives around 600 applications each year for approximately 200 available places, meaning roughly 400 applicants are unsuccessful.
Safety measures at the Glacis are regularly reviewed. The City has had a dedicated safety monitoring system and safety concept in place for years and works closely with specialists including the police and the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS). Before the fair opens, rides, restaurants, and other installations are inspected by conformity assessment and inspection group LuxControl to ensure they have been set up correctly.