Digging through the RTL archives, with the help of Luxembourg's National Audiovisual Center (CNA), we've unearthed treasures from the Schueberfouer's past.
These films trace the evolution of Luxembourg's largest funfair, from the 1930s to the present-day. The oldest archive we found is a film from 1931. Take a look back, through pictures, at nearly a century of funfair in Luxembourg.
The Schueberfouer is one of the country's oldest traditions, dating back to 20 October 1340. At that time, John the Blind, King of Bohemia and Count of Luxembourg, signed a decree allowing Luxembourg merchants to regularly organise a fair "beginning on the eve of Saint Bartholomew, 24 August."
Originally a livestock market, the Schueberfouer has since become the largest funfair in Luxembourg and the Greater Region. From late August to early September, it welcomes over 2 million visitors across the 4 hectares of the Glacis field (now parking lot).
The oldest of our archives dates back to 1931 and shows a visit by Luxembourg-based orphans to the funfair. Charitable organisations and benefactors provided a day of sweets and carousel rides for the children. In 1936, this regular visit by orphans was filmed by a contemporary filmmaker; this archival footage is the earliest known colour film shot in Luxembourg.
In 1939, the Schueberfouer was underway when it was abruptly stopped by the outbreak of World War II. In occupied Luxembourg, the Germans allowed it to continue from 1941 to 1943. The fair took a pause in 1944 due to active warfare during the liberation of the country that year.
Post-war films from the 1950s, '60s, and '70s were also among the cache of Schueberfoer archival materials. They depict a steady evolution towards bigger and faster rides. Across the following decades, this pursuit of thrills didn’t stop - in fact, quite the opposite.
© Théo Mey © - copyright Photothèque de la Ville de Luxembourg
While only two World Wars could stop the Schueberfouer in earlier times, it was a global pandemic that prevented the 2020 edition from taking place - while the 2021 edition faced serious, COVID-related restrictions.
However, the rides and the times keep rolling on – and in just a few short days, the 684th edition of the Schueberfouer will begin.
