By the age of seven, I had spent half of my life and most of what I remember up to that point abroad. In 1990, already working for General Motors for some time, my father was offered a three-year position at a plant in Luxembourg. My parents pondered the opportunity, accepted, and off we went! Because of the differences in architecture from what we know in the United States, I thought I’d take the opportunity to share with you some of what surrounded me at an early age.

As a child, I knew that there were some differences between Indiana and Luxembourg, such as cultural and language differences, the landscape, the food, and of course differences architecturally. My parents really took advantage of the traveling and sight-seeing that could be done, taking my brother and me along on weekend trips throughout Luxembourg and surrounding nations. For a child, I remember a good deal of our travels, whether or not I appreciated their educational value! I’ve attached some images to this blog—photographs my parents took and others found online of different landmarks around the Luxembourgish landscape!

Background:
Luxembourg is home to just under 500,000 people—up to 43% of whom are foreigners! Luxembourg has the highest population of foreigners of any European Union nation. The national language is Luxembourgish—a combination of French and German languages. It is spoken by native Luxembourgers but not my many others. French and German are the official languages of Luxembourg, spoken by most inhabitants. These are the languages used in business, in schools and in church. Luxembourg is a very small country—100 kilometers from North to South and 50 kilometers East to West, with a total area of 2,500 square kilometers or 999 square miles! The dominant religion found in Luxembourg is Roman Catholicism—with the rest being Protestants, Jews and Muslims.

What are some architectural elements that were part of your childhood? What great structures or styles of architecture have influenced you? Please share!

Photo #1:
“The Grund” (a quarter in central Luxembourg City known for pubs and restaurants but also as a residential area)

Photo #2:
American Military Cemetary and the grave of General George Patton

Photo #3:
Our home! 4 Rue Jean Schneider, Mamer, Luxembourg

Photo #4:
Another photo of The Grund

Photo #5:
The (in)famous red bridge…this was a landmark for me. During the summers, we would go back to Kokomo, and as we would fly back in for the school year, I always knew we were home when I could see the red bridge below!

Submitted by: Lee Boyland