Ara City Radio

Josh Island was back in the studio to talk to Tom and the listeners about his new album and upcoming European Tour. After being awarded the Global Project Fund by Music LX, Josh has had a busy year, recording and touring. His new album 'In my Head' will be released tomorrow (Friday 15th September) and will be followed by a 20 date European Tour. Josh recorded the album in Portugal over the course of 3 weeks. He tells us the songs cover different topics such as love, mental well being and self development. Don't miss Josh's homecoming release party when he plays in Opderschmeltz for the last leg of the tour. Find out more at: https://www.joshisland.com/

Aurelien from Barbarian Tribes joined Tom in the studio this morning to talk about their outdoor fitness community and the upcoming fitness day they will be hosting on the 24th of September at Philharmonie. The Barbarian Tribes is a welcoming group of fitness enthusiasts that meet every day for outdoor fitness training focused on introducing fun into getting fit in Luxembourg. Participants of all fitness levels can join the sessions that are guided by professional personal trainers. On the the 24th of September the Barbarians will be hosting their annual Outdoor Fitness Day. Everybody is welcome to come down and get an introduction to the community and take part in the 60 minute fitness challenge. With food, music, activities for the kids and a welcoming atmosphere, it will be a great day out for the whole family. To take advantage of a €10 discount on tickets to the outdoor fitness day. Listeners can use the code ara23 when booking at https://www.barbariantribes.com/

With its free public transports, national health care and thriving financial sector, it’s no surprise that, when you type “why is Luxembourg…” into an internet search engine, one of the top questions is “Why is Luxembourg so rich?” Well, why is that? Was the grand duchy always so well-off? And… what does being ‘rich’ actually mean when we talk about a country’s wealth? And how will Luxembourg continue keeping up its economic well-being when lasting crises are threatening the country’s stability? That is what we’re going to answer in this episode of No Stupid Question, with the help of university of Luxembourg economy professors François Koulischer and Christos Koulovatianos.

A few weeks ago, a mysterious website started posting articles and posts about the grand duchy’s history… Their mission: make history sexy again? But who is behind this Bourgmeisterin project? And why did they make this their aim Our journalist Tracy Heindrichs talked with Julia Khalyavko, the founder of Bourgmeisterin, about how the website aims to turn the grand duchy into more than a layover country for expats arriving here.

The British & Irish Film Festival returns for it's Autumn 2023 edition on the 13th of September. Festival programmer Geoff Thompson sat down with Tom this morning to talk through the programme and let people know what they can expect. The festival will run from the 13th till the 28th of September and feature daily screenings of all genres in Cine Utopia and Cinematheque. Attendees will get the chance to contribute their vote towards the audience Prize and a a festival prize will also be awarded by a panel of expert film critics. On top of this, audience members will have the chance to engage in Q+A's with the festival's guests of honour and this year the festival will launch it's young person's short film competition for any budding young filmmakers. The full programme can be consulted at: https://www.bifilmseason.lu/

For more than two years, Brigitta Best has been suffering from Long Covid. On Voices Matter, she tells how the illness has impacted her health and her life.

On Local Matters, Jean-Jacques Schonkert, president of the Asbl Mäi Wellen Mäi Wee, explains why they keep lobbying for the right to die in dignity, although euthanasia has been legal since 2009.

Since 2009, euthanasia has been legal in Luxembourg. Access however still needs to be improved. The government has recently set up an action plan. Raising awareness about the rights and procedures is the main aim.

Friendly resident and garden aficionado Hendrik Dennemeyer was back in Ara City Radio's studio to talk with Tracy Heindrichs about gardening and what to do with your lovely greenery in preparation for September.

This week's guest Suzan Noesen talked to our journalist Tracy Heindrichs about being a full-time artist in Luxembourg, her inspirations and how her recent experience in Canada shaped her art practice.

Every year, around 1.400 adults learn to write and read with the Education Ministry's department for adult education (SFA). On Local Matters, we talk to the SFA about the challenges of teaching basic skills to adults.

Those who grew up learning not the letters a b c but rather ا ب ت , find difficulties getting adjusted in Luxembourg. The alphabetization classes are meant for asylum seekers who haven’t learned our Latin alphabet, most of them speak and write in Arabic. For Local Matters, we had a visit in the classroom.

Vicky Wishof spoke with Simon this morning about her petition to the Chamber of Deputies. From personal experience, Vicky knows that parents need more relief for chronically and irreversibly ill children while medical professionals, as well as professionals from appropriate services, urgently need more support to do quality work with families with impaired children. Her petition calls for recruiting additional medical staff and creating new access points so that families with impaired children can find the support they need. To support Vicky’s petition, please visit: https://www.petitiounen.lu/en/sign/2840?cHash=6bcd866e9d098536e45eaba3ec00df78

Our intern Faith Duggan spent 6 weeks in and about Luxembourg discovering the culture, and talks to Tracy about various aspects of the world she navigates in here and New York. This week's topic: languages.

Our intern Faith Duggan spent 6 weeks in and about Luxembourg discovering the culture, and talks to Tracy about various aspects of the world she navigates in here and New York. This week's topic: food culture.

Mark Felten, City Manager from Differdange Municipality, and Rui Miroto went on-air with Simon to discuss the upcoming 3 Beasts Festival. On Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th September at Parc Lasauvage, the 3 Beasts event promises to be a unique and immersive experience into the heart of the world of bikers. There will be stands of props, collectors and some of the biggest brands will be there to meet all your needs. Concerts and activities for children are also planned! More details can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1403134973766537?ref=newsfeed

Alexandra Tsyliya, Event Coordinator for LUkraine talked with Simon today about this Saturday’s (26th August, 2023) celebration of Ukraine's Independence Day. This year's Ukraine Independence Day celebration theme is kites, symbolizing freedom and resilience. During the festival, both kids and adults can participate in workshops on kite making and flying. Additionally, guests will have the chance to engage in beadwork, traditional Ukrainian Petrykivka painting, and vytyvanka workshops. The evening's headliner is the pioneers of Ukrainian hip-hop, rapcore, and funk culture - ТNМК, founded in the early '90s in Ukraine. Currently, TNMK is on a European charity tour to raise money for Ukrainian defenders and would like to celebrate Independence Day with a grand charity concert in Luxembourg. The event has FREE ADMISSION and start at 3pm at Hesper Park (Am Keller station, 472 Rte de Thionville, 5886 Alzingen Hesperange)

Max Felton (City Manager) and Natalia Wrona (Content Creator) from the Differdange Municipality Team joined the Breakfast Show today to talk about their upcoming Fashion Week. Scheduled to start on Saturday, September 30th, 2023 this Fifth Edition of the Luxembourg Fashion Week aims to boost activities related to the fashion and art industry, but also to underline the country's involvement in their development. The Luxembourg Fashion Week brings the "fashion community" together with national and international artists and designers, celebrities, journalists, bloggers and models from all over the world around the tagline "MADE IN LUXEMBOURG". Further details can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/LuxembourgFashionWeekOfficial https://www.instagram.com/luxembourg_fashion_week_lu/

Feel European in Schengen – that’s today’s Local Matters recommendation for summer activities in case you spend these last weeks of summer holiday in Luxembourg.

Franco-Belgian-Luxembourgish artist Marie Lavis joined Simon on the Breakfast Show today. Marie is an illustrator, animator, graphic designer who is keen to build bridges between visual art and music. She explores black and white, lines and shapes, music, emotions, movement, life and its complexity, immensity, symbols and patterns. Marie will be giving a guided drawing session at the Rotondes’ VOIE 15 on Thursday 17th August from 7pm. More details can be found at https://www.rotondes.lu/en/agenda/chill-et-draw-3. Marie’s website is https://www.marielavis.com/