The launch of the constructions of the ephemeral installations of the Luxembourg Urban Garden (LUGA) open-air exhibition was marked on Thursday 21 November 2024 by an inaugural ground-breaking ceremony in the Pétrusse valley, where the ten urban gardens imagined by the Young Designers will be installed.
The official ceremony took place at the site of urban garden number 4, Le Portail de Naile Arslan, in the presence of Mrs Martine Hansen, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Viticulture, Mrs Lydie Polfer, Mayor of the City of Luxembourg, Mr Maurice Bauer, First Alderman of the City of Luxembourg and Mrs Ann Muller, General Coordinator of the LUGA.
‘Le Portail is a sustainable timber structure with a focus on re-use and biodiversity. The bright green portal embodies sustainability and is inspired by nature’s arches. Representing a passageway to something new, this concept illustrates how urban development can be achieved in harmony with nature. It invites us on a transformative journey, awakening us to the importance of harmony with our environment’.
This symbolic ground-breaking ceremony marks the start of preparations for the eagerly awaited event in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, which will transform urban spaces into veritable havens of biodiversity and creativity, combining urban gardens, landscape and art installations, as well as agricultural projects and living spaces from 7 May to 18 October 2025.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to the Board members of the LUGA asbl, in particular its chairman Pierre Schmitt and vice-chairman Gerber Van Vliet, for their presence and support. We would also like to thank the Fédération Horticole Luxembourgeoise, an observing member of LUGA, represented by its president Ernest Brandenburger, administrative manager Josiane Walentiny and committee member Patrick Wester.
Many thanks to all the landscape architects who are taking part in the LUGA in 2025 exhibition with their unique ephemeral creations. We are particularly pleased to welcome and promote the expertise of various European countries. Special thanks to Julie Chirol, DPLG landscape architect, who designed the urban garden Jardin Partage, and to Cassandra Provenzano and Nadine Weirich, landscape architects, designers of Le Jardin Germinatif, for their presence at this inauguration.
A special mention to the City of Luxembourg’s Parks Department for their invaluable help and commitment. Their contribution is essential to the success of this ambitious project.
Finally, a huge thank you to Niki Kirsch, initiator of the LUGA exhibition in Luxembourg.
A big thank you to the local construction companies who are promoting the unparalleled know-how of Luxembourg’s green trades by contributing to the staging of this exhibition. Thanks to their expertise and commitment, the LUGA will come to life in an innovative and sustainable way, courtesy of Karp-Kneip, GOCA, Safety Group, Ecopaysages, Vereal, Ernst & Partner, Blumenthal Jardinage et Hydroculture and Schroeder Associés.