Sonja KMEC / Catherine LORENT / Jean REITZ, Den Winter verjagen: Das Burgbrennen in Luxemburg und seine Entwicklung seit den 1970er Jahren [Burning Winter: A study of the custom of „Buergbrennen“ in Luxembourg and its evolution since the 1970s] S. 389-418
Drawing on digitized newspaper archives and an enquiry conducted in 2020/21, this article examines changes in the ritualization of “Buergbrennen” – a communal event centered around the lightening of a seasonal fire on the first Saturday or Sunday of Lent in Luxembourg. A first finding is that the number of such bonfires has increased since the early 1970s from about 100 localities to 260 recorded instances in 2020. While most stacks continue to be cross-shaped, a form recorded since the early 19th century, the (erroneous) etymology of “Burg” (castle) also inspires some castle-shaped constructions. The type of combustible material that is used has changed, notably due to safety regulations and anti-pollution acts. A series of maps show distinctive regional characteristics in terms of organizers, which appear linked to older village-based traditions in the rural North and East, while the feast was generally introduced in the South and Center by associations and clubs. A certain eventisation (combining the bonfire with other attractions) is evident in urban settings and in the context of the Esch2022, European Capital of Culture, but even without any side-effects the sensory spectacle and sociability of a bonefire enjoys (renewed) popularity in the 21st century.

Susanne SCHMOLZE, Du weißt ja das schöne Lied. Musik in Briefen und Aufzeichnungen luxemburgischer Rekruten während des Zweiten Weltkriegs [You know the beautiful song. Music in letters and reports of recruits from Luxembourg during World War II] S. 419-434
This article studies the role music had for Luxembourgish men who served in the German Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD) and Wehrmacht during the Nazi occupation of Luxembourg. It analyses references to three types of songs in war letters, diaries and memoirs: The Luxembourgish national songs Ons Heemecht (today’s national anthem) and De Feierwon, popular contemporary German ‘Schlager’ and songs about military life. Previous research on war letters, the political impact of music in general and its use in Nazi propaganda in particular allow identifying the crucial purposes of music listening and singing practices. National songs served to articulate a Luxembourgish identity as well as express protest against occupation and military service. Parodies could also serve as a form of protest. ‘Schlager’ formed an integral part of radio programmes, they were intended to boost morale and the emotional connection between recruits and their families at home; they also allowed to articulate hope for the future.
503

LOKALE GESCHICHTE

Daniela LIEB, Axis mundi. Das Merscher Monument national de l’indépendance in interdisziplinärer Perspektive (1939/1959) [Axis mundi. The Mersch Monument national de l’indépendance in an interdisciplinary perspective (1939/1959)], S. 435-461
In the context of the centenary celebrations in 1939, monuments large and small dedicated to national independence were established on many sites throughout Luxembourg. Among them, the Monument national de l’indépendance erected in Mersch occupies a special place due to its exceptional location outside the capital, its imposing dimensions and its eventful history. Its close interconnection over decades with current politically and ideologically relevant discourses and developments is similarly remarkable. The article examines some facets of this process: the idea of Mersch as the country’s geographical centre and its special relationship with the transcendent; the monument’s symbolic appropriation by circles of the Luxembourg resistance movements during World War Two: and finally, its integration into the discursive web encompassing European unification.

GESCHICHTSVEREINE

Guy Kummer, Die Geschichtsfreunde aus der Gemeinde Petingen, S. 462-463

FORSCHUNGSBERICHTE

Esther Beeckaert, Rural Transformation in the Ardennes. The Commons as Landscapes of Change, 1750–1800, PhD thesis, Universiteit Gent and Vrije Universiteit Brussel 2022; supervisors: Prof. Dr. Eric Vanhaute (UGent) and Prof. Dr. Wouter Ryckbosch (VUB), S. 464-468
Thomas Lutgen, Charles Arendt (1825-1910). Leben und Werk des ersten Luxemburger Staatsarchitekten; Dissertation an der Fakultät für Architektur der RWTH Aachen, 2023; Betreuer: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Raabe, S. 468-470
Sophie David Da Costa, Die Berichterstattung über das deutsche Kolonialreich in ausgewählten luxemburgischen Zeitungen. Masterarbeit in Geschichte, Fachrichtung Internationale Geschichte der Neuzeit, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 2023. Betreuer: Prof. Dr. Friedrich Kießling, S. 471-474
Marlène Duhr, Populäre Musik edieren. Editorische Probleme dargestellt an den Werken für oder mit Blasorchester von Laurent Menager (1835-1902), PhD, Université du Luxembourg, 2022. Betreuer: Prof. Dr. Damien Sagrillo, S. 474-477
Mady Stehres-Delvaux, L’agriculture luxembourgeoise à l’époque de l’Union économique belge-luxembourgeoise ; mémoire de master en histoire, ULB, 2023, sous la direction du professeur Serge Jaumain. S. 477-480

REZENSIONEN (S. 481-502; integral online veröffentlicht auf rezensio.net)

Michel Summer, Rezension zu:
Daniel Ludwig, Die Bedeutung von Tausch in ländlichen Gesellschaften des fränkischen Frühmittelalters. Vergleichende Untersuchungen der Regionen Baiern, Alemannien und Lotharingien (Besitz und Beziehungen. Studien zur Verfassungsgeschichte des Mittelalters, Bd. 2), Ostfildern: Jan Thorbecke Verlag, 2020; 404 S.; ISBN 978-3-7995-9401-1; 49 €.

Michel Pauly, Rezension zu:
Robert Wagner, Fort Lambert, Luxembourg: Frënn vun der Festungsgeschicht a.s.b.l., 2023; 107 S.; ISBN 978-2-919896-02-8; 20 €.

Thomas Kolnberger, Rezension zu:
Claude Frieseisen / Marie-Paule JungbLut / Josée Kirps / Philippe Nilles / Benoît Reiter und Sanja Simic, 1848 – Revolutioun zu Lëtzebuerg. Luxembourg: Chambre des Députés / Archives nationales de Luxembourg, 2023, 303 S.; ISBN 978-2-929773-32-9; 40 €.
« 1848 – Revolutioun zu Lëtzebuerg », Ausstellung vom 10.7. bis zum 2.12.2023, Archives nationales de Luxembourg, Luxemburg.

Michelle Stoffel, Rezension zu:
Renée Wagener, Emanzipation und Antisemitismus. Die jüdische Minderheit in Luxemburg vom 19. bis zum 21. Jahrhundert (Studien zum Antisemitismus in Europa, 16), Berlin: Metropol Verlag, 2022, 725 S., ISBN 978-3-86331-655-6; 36 €.
Fabian Trinkaus, Rezension zu:
Stëmme vun der Schmelz, Dudelange: Centre national de l'audiovisuel, 2023, 250 S.; ISBN 978-99959-809-3-1; 35 €.

Markus Linden, Rezension zu:
Léonie De Jonge, The Success and Failure of Right-Wing Populist Parties in the Benelux Countries (Routledge Studies in Extremism and Democracy), Abingdon und New York: Routledge, 2021, 210 S.; ISBN 9780367502515; 130 £ (fester Einband) / ISBN 9780367502522; 36,99 £ (Taschenbuch) / ISBN 9781003049258; 26,99 £ (eBook).

Alex Langini, Rezension zu:
Inventar der Baukultur im Großherzogtum Luxemburg, Kanton Mersch/ Gemeinde Mersch. Luxembourg, hg. v. Institut national du patrimoine architectural, Luxemburg 2022, 2 Bände, 1069 Seiten; ISBN 978-2-919883- 51-6 (nicht im Handel)

Koku G. Nonoa, Rezension zu:
Pascal Seil (Hg.), Mars Klein, Samthandschuh war nicht. Die Kabarett-Texte 1978-2020. Mersch: Centre national de Littérature, 2021; 274 S.; ISBN 9782919903948, 25 €.

Anne-Marie Millim, Rezension zu:
Germaine Goetzinger und Nathalie Jacoby (Hg.), Drësseg Rieden: 30 Joer Prix Servais, Luxemburg: Imprimerie Centrale, 2022, 287 S.; ISBN 978-2- 919798-06-3, 30 €.