Festival of Life Promotes Cultural Diversity & Environmental Conservation

On Sunday 3 August 2025, the first edition of the “Festival du Vivant” took place at the Grand Château d’Ansembourg in Helperknapp (Mersch).

The festival, which promotes environmental preservation, cultural diversity and openness to the world, was opened by Christophe Déage, Chairman of LH Europe-Grand-Château d'Ansembourg. There followed speeches by David Foka, European representative of the Pan-African Council of Traditional Authorities, and Queen Diambi Kabatusuila of southern Congo.

The event featured guided tours of the castle’s baroque gardens, a selection of artisan stands selling handcrafted items and two concerts, the first by cellist and ambassador for the Office National des Forêts-Agir pour la forêt, Olivia Gay, and the second by soul band Malter.

The Maison de l'Afrique Luxembourg also hosted a show of traditional costumes and music, and a display of traditional African outfits by the couturier Honoré Araba from Benin was led by model Francesca Tossou.

Queen Diambi, accompanied by Bruno Théret, President of the Consular Council and the Victor Hugo Association and Founding President of Cœur Vert Luxembourg, visited the various stands from European and African countries, offering words of encouragement to the young volunteers from the Cœur Vert Luxembourg Association, which works to protect vulnerable ecosystems and has been based at the Château for the past three years.