On Tuesday 25 August 2015, the tradition of the annual 'Journée des Bourgmestres' (Mayor Day) was underway at the 2015 Schueberfouer.

The tradition is carried out every year, as the mayors of Luxembourg don aprons in order to serve the public in a different, fun way. 25 mayors in total participated at the 675th edition of the Schueberfouer, clambering into carriages to ride the Big Wheel before taking to restaurants and eateries to wait on members of the public.

Whilst the event represents a light form of entertainment for mayors and customers alike, it also holds important connotations for the identity and traditions of the Grand Duchy.

Dan Biancalana, who has been Mayor of Dudelange for the last two years, served at restaurant 'An der Flesch' with Mayor of Dippach Manon Bei-Roller. Mayor Biancalana first took part in the tradition last year, and said of the 2014 event "For me, it was emotional. I am the first Mayor who is not actually Luxembourgish".

Born in Italy to Italian parents, Mayor Biancalana was only able to acquire Luxembourgish nationality at the age of 21. He described how he used to witness Mayor Day at the Schueberfouer as a child, explaining, "I never thought that I myself would be here as a mayor".

Mayor of Luxembourg City, Lydie Polfer, worked with Mayor of Dalheim Joseph Heisbourg, to distribute dishes to customers at Friture Armand. Spirits were high as she delivered drink orders and chatted to diners, passing them their plates.

Today at the Schueberfouer is 'Family Day', meaning fares are half price all day. For information on where to park and how to get there, click here. To find out about new rides and attractions on offer, click here.

 

Photos by Sarah Graham