The cultural South
The South of Luxembourg, the Minett region – also called the Land of the Red Rocks – embodies a fascinating cultural metamorphosis, where industrial heritage blends with a rich artistic scene. From the Kulturfabrik in Esch-sur-Alzette and the National Mining Museum in Rumelage, through to Belval’s renovated blast furnaces, this famous cosmopolitan and multilingual region celebrates its past while cultivating artistic, scientific and multicultural initiatives that shape its contemporary identity. Read on to meet some of the key figures involved in the cultural sector of the South and get to know their personal cultural highlights.
Sandy Artuso, Head of Finance and Operations at FerroForum
Sandy Artuso comes from the Minett region and is now project manager at the FerroForum where she manages the financial and administrative aspects. After an international and university career in literature, she became involved in the Luxembourg theatre scene, specifically as part of the Independent Little Lies collective and the LEQGF association, which is dedicated to queer feminist research.
As someone who is very active in production, Sandy is particularly fond of the Escher Theater, which she has frequented since she was a teenager. She also values summer initiatives such as the opening of the terrace of the Ratelach at the Kulturfabrik, one of the South’s iconic venues.
The video is subtitled in Luxembourgish, French, German and English.
Sandy Artuso emphasises that, at the FerroForum, they don't limit themselves to appreciating the industrial heritage: the venue also holds concerts, fairs, festive events such as the Feierowend, and even educational castings. Here, the industrial workers' past and contemporary creation meet, making this venue a veritable cultural driving force of the South.
John Rech, director of the opderschmelz regional cultural centre
The video is subtitled in Luxembourgish, French, German and English.
John Rech is a key figure in the cultural landscape of Southern Luxembourg. As director of the opderschmelz cultural centre and coordinator of the cultural department for the town of Dudelange, he combines artistic expertise with organisational skills. A former communications officer who briefly worked at the Chamber of Deputies, he has primarily travelled the world as a musician and tour manager, in particular with his solo project Dreamcatcher, and he is also a cartoon author working in collaboration with Andy Genen. He therefore brings a multifaceted approach to creation.
In Dudelange, he manages a rich programme that extends far beyond the main concert hall: two arts centres, open-air events and a series of iconic festivals such as Zeltik, Jazz Machine or Usina. As a lover of live music, he is also at his happiest in venues such as the Kulturfabrik or the Rockhal, where he finds the raw energy of these concerts deeply moving.
But his high point is still the Fête de la musique, which he considers to be one of the most beautiful events of the year.
Christian Mosar, director of the Konschthal and the Bridderhaus
Christian Mosar, director of the Konschthal in Esch and the Bridderhaus, sees, in the South of Luxembourg, a landscape in constant transformation, where culture is continually reinventing itself. He underlines the importance of iconic venues such as the Kulturfabrik, the Spektrum in Rumelange or the heritage sites of Belval, which link the industrial past with contemporary creation.
For him, the Nuits de la Culture in Esch epitomise this collective dynamic, thanks to the remarkable involvement of residents and volunteers. The South offers a unique cultural density, with accessible and varied events all week.
At the Konschthal, Christian Mosar champions a policy of accessibility and of dialogue between local and international artists through the committed exhibitions and the residences at the Bridderhaus. He highlights Luxembourg’s role as a European platform, capable of breaking down linguistic barriers in contemporary art.
The video is subtitled in Luxembourgish, French, German and English.
The Konschthal, a young institution, born in the run up to Esch2022, is establishing itself as a place of artistic experimentation and socio-political reflection, where contemporary art holds a dialogue with current global issues.
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