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Commitment and celebration: Oekofest 2023

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Presidents speech in english
Article in "Luxemburger Wort"

On Saturday, Pafendall hosted the Oekofest 2023, organised by the Mouvement Ecologique and the Oekozenter Pafendall. Many visitors came throughout the day to learn about sustainable living and sustainable business at the many information stands, to take part in visits and readings, to exchange ideas and to enjoy the music programme on offer.

The Oekofest was opened at 10.30 am by Blanche Weber, President of the Mouvement Ecologique. Numerous actors from politics, administrations, municipalities, friendly organisations and trade unions took part. In her speech – the upcoming elections send her regards – she raised fundamental questions about shaping the future and commented on the current election discussions. You can find the speech in the download area, or in the video below.

The opening ceremony was rounded off by a jazzy musical interlude by the Pol Belardi Standards Trio and a satirical intervention by Roll Gelhausen, who took a cabaret look at the Luxembourg political parties. Many of those present particularly enjoyed the satirical view of the situation in these times.

The opening took place in the presence of numerous representatives from politics, municipalities, administrations, organisations, trade unions, members and interested parties. Among the politicians present were François Bausch, François Benoy, Sven Clement, Gary Diderich, Paul Galles, Henri Kox, Charles Margue, Meris Sehovic, Marc Spautz, Sam Tanson, Claude Turmes, Joëlle Welfring, Claude Wiseler, Claude Turmes, Joëlle Welfring and a number of others: an interesting mix of representatives from different parties.

Throughout the day, bands from different genres gave each other the proverbial run for their money on stage. From early morning to late at night, jazz combos and rock bands and everything in between played on a large stage that had been erected for the Oekofest on the banks of the Alzette. If that wasn’t enough for you, you could still stop by the Brasserie Oekosoph in the late evening to listen to a very last concert with a final drink.

Those who could tear themselves away from the stage programme strolled through the area and visited the information stands where people from different areas of the “Transition” provided information. Here one could learn a lot from areas ranging from solar energy to gardening.

The three guided tours were also well attended: one in which the visitors learned more about the flora of the city, a visit to the aqua tunnel and a visit to the “Site Mansfeld”.

Author Francis Kirps provided a literary moment at the Oekofest with a reading. A second reading was aimed at the event’s younger visitors.

Probably not least, many guests stayed, came and stayed because of the delicious and regional organic food offered at the Oekofest. For one thing, the Oekosoph had vegan falafel with couscous and game on offer. But also the food truck “Délice Végétal” with its range of vegan and organic dishes went home completely empty at the end of the day. Visitors were also able to sample delicious food and drinks at some of the information stands.

The organisers of the Oekofest naturally attached great importance to ensuring that the festival had as little impact as possible on the environment and the climate. To this end, they followed a strict catalogue of criteria and in return received the “Green Event” logo.

Below this text you will find a photo gallery with pictures of our celebration. These photographs by Jil Zago give a vivid impression of the events and the festive atmosphere. The photo gallery provides a visual complement to our festival descriptions and conveys the mood of our event.