Description
The Schueberfouer is Luxembourg's leading annual funfair. It is held from late August to early September at the Glacis, a vast open space near the city centre. Work to erect the traditional entrance gate on the northern side of the fairground usually begins in July. The first fairground workers – the restaurant operators – generally start arriving in late July. At this point, the large car park is gradually cleared to make room for the fairground workers' trucks and equipment.
The large rides start arriving at the Glacis from other countries – Belgium, France, Austria, Germany and Luxembourg – a few days before the fair opens.
Fairground workers come to the Schueberfouer from all over Europe.
But the Schueberfouer offers much more than just rides and thrills. Its eateries – which are unique in the Greater Region – along with its booths and aisle of hawkers (Allée Scheffer) all hark back to the fairs' origins as Luxembourg City's annual market. You can't go to the fair without tasting gebakene Fësch (fried fish), Gromperekichelcher (potato pancakes, a Luxembourgish specialty) or crispy waffles, or picking up some Schappnougat to enjoy at home – that is, if you don't finish it before you get there.
Background
Our Schueberfouer has a lengthy history and is one of the few uniquely Luxembourgish traditions that survive to this day. Before it was established, there had long been plans for a large annual market in Luxembourg City.
But it was John the Blind, King of Bohemia and Count of Luxembourg, who founded the fair through the Charter of 20 October 1340. Among other things, this charter ruled: "Every year, it [the fair] shall mark the start of the vigil of the feast of St. Bartholomew and shall last for eight full consecutive days." This is why the beginning of the Schueberfouer is always tied to 24 August, the Feast of St Bartholomew.
The name "Schueberfouer" derives from "Schuedbuerg", the first place where the fair was held, which is located on what is now the Plateau du Saint-Esprit. "Schuedbuerg" became "Schuedbermiss" and then "Schuebermëss". According to other sources, there is a connection with the German word "Schober", which used to mean a covered place to store hay.
Up to the French revolution
For nearly 450 years, until the French Revolution, the Schueberfouer was a large market, which came to include a cattle market known as "St Bartholomew's Market". For a long time, the Schueberfouer stood at the crossroads of some of Europe's most important trading routes and was itself a major centre of trade and commerce. It was a place where fabrics, porcelain and all types of goods were sold.
As the fair grew over time, it became too big for its original site. The "Fouer" relocated to Limpertsberg in 1610 (to a place near its current location, north of what is now Allée Scheffer) after this area was cleared of trees to fortify the city.
The transformation of a market into a funfair
In the 18th century, new attractions were added and the "Fouer" gradually became what we would now consider a fair. There was music, dancing, games of skill, eating and of course drinking. The first rides were introduced in 1844.
In 1893, to allow for the urban development of Limpertsberg after the fortress was demolished, the Schueberfouer moved to its current site, the Champ du Glacis.
The beginnings of the modern Schueberfouer
A small Ferris wheel and a figure-8 roller-coaster appeared in the early 20th century.
Since then, increasingly mechanised and sophisticated rides have taken over the fairgrounds, but have not upstaged the eateries and hawkers. The Schueberfouer, with its 670-year history, has been able to preserve its own unique blend of tradition, market, funfair and cultural event. It remains strongly rooted in Luxembourg's collective consciousness, making it the number-one gathering place and highlight of the summer season – today more than ever.
Lämmy the mascot
Lämmy is the Schueberfouer's mascot. The fair's sheep mascot – yes, Lämmy is a sheep – was drawn by Emile Schlesser, a comic strip artist who was born in 1986 and who signs his work as Milli.
Poster
In January 2020, the City launched a competition to design a poster advertising the Schueberfouer. This year, the Schueberfouer posters feature the visual design created by Amarylis Hibon, who came in second place.
Champ du Glacis: where to find the restaurants, rides and shops
In 2017, the layout of the Schueberfouer was completely overhauled, both at street level in order to accommodate the tram line, as well as underground in terms of utility infrastructure. After having been tried and tested over the past two years, this layout will be mostly retained for this summer's fair.
The main eateries will once again be located in the north west of Champ du Glacis, while the rides and vendor stands will share the rest of the site.
With its 4.44 hectares, this year's Schueberfouer will be just as large as the one in 2019. The funfair can be accessed via eight visitor entrances (designated "E1" to "E8").
Entrance gate
The main entrance gate measures 18 x 18 metres and features various lighting effects. It was created in 2007 by a group of artists led by Rik Van Kerchove.
It is regularly maintained and repaired.
The company commissioned to assemble the gate has the necessary experience and is responsible for ensuring that the structure meets all current safety standards.
Fouershop
A travelling "Fouer Shop" will be open at different times on the fairgrounds. At the shop, visitors can buy their very own Lämmy mascot in the form of a stuffed animal or keychain, T-shirts and polo shirts, pins, stickers and other Schueberfouer souvenirs.
The sales proceeds of the "Fouer Shop" will be donated to charity.
Nationalities of fairground workers
Showpeople and traders by nationality:
- Luxembourg: 41.7 %
- France: 24.1 %
- Germany: 23.6 %
- Belgium: 8.8 %
- Netherlands: 1.8 %
