In 2022, together with 10 PRO-SUD municipalities, and 8 municipalities in France, in the Communauté de Communes Pays Haut Val l’Alzette (CCPHVA), Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg’s second largest city, was European Capital of Culture.
The term “Europe” not only refers to a geographical definition, but to political, economic and cultural coexistence. It means overcoming boundaries and creating spaces of opportunity. The European idea has a very special meaning for the European Capital of Culture 2022 project as well as for the region: as a border region, it is commonplace for residents of the region to cross borders between France, Belgium or Germany – freely and without controls. As a melting pot of cultures and nations, also due to many immigrants during its time as a significant location for coal mining, multiculturalism and multilateralism are an integral part of coexistence and regional identity.