The old beer mug was destroyed in a fire in 2023. / © Philharmonie Diekirch
In a heartening display of solidarity, the local carnival club "D'Jungen aus dem Schluechthaus" stepped up after the previous giant beer mug was destroyed in a fire in 2023.
Beer holds a significant place in Diekirch's identity, alongside icons like the donkey and the Sûre river. Since 1968, the Diekirch town music has organised the annual beer festival, complete with the iconic giant beer mug as part of its advertising. However, last year brought a setback when, on the evening of 24 May, a drinks stand housing the beer mug was engulfed in flames.
In 2023, a drinks stand housing the beer mug was engulfed in flames. / © Denny Bierchem/RTL Archives
With this year's festival approaching on 18 and 19 May, organisers initially feared they might have to forego the beer mug's presence in their advertising. That is until unexpected help arrived from another Diekirch club. D'Jungen aus dem Schluechthaus ("The Boys from the Abattoir"), a carnival club founded in 1973 by former workers of the Diekirch abattoir, found themselves with spare time after exceptionally opting out of this year's Cavalcade. Around a dozen volunteers from the club took on the task of constructing a new beer mug.
Thew new beer mug is currently gift-wrapped. / © Marc Hoscheid
Although our colleagues from RTL.lu were unable to catch a glimpse of the new creation during their meeting with town music and carnival association representatives due to it being already gift-wrapped, it's known that the new beer mug stands as tall as a full-grown inhabitant of Diekirch, thanks to its elevated base. This design choice not only adds to its stature but also enhances security, making it less susceptible to theft—an issue that has plagued previous editions. Paul Maas from the Diekirch town music recalled an incident where a Dutch tourist attempted to abscond with the mug through the pedestrian zone, only to be promptly intercepted by a vigilant member of the town music.
The beer mug's journey has been peppered with anecdotes, reflecting its significance to Diekirch's cultural fabric. Reminiscing about past incidents, Maas recounts how a couple of teenagers once hijacked the beer mug, boarding a bus with it. In a bid to recover the cherished symbol, town music officials made a heartfelt appeal on RTL radio, offering clemency if the mug were returned—a plea that proved successful.
The carnival club also shares a storied connection with the beer mug, as Mich Fayot recalls. Until 1998, the beer festival was held at "op der Kluuster." After a hiatus, during which the mug was temporarily stored in a hall, its reappearance in 2000 coincided with the merger of Diekirch and Mousel breweries. Sporting a specially adapted logo, the mug graced the club's float during the Cavalcade.
In 2000, the Diekirch and Mousel breweries merged. / © Philharmonie Diekirch
In 2009, the beer festival found new life in the park behind the town hall, marking the return of the iconic beer mug. Although it underwent renovation by the women of the Diekirch Town Music in 2018, tragedy struck in 2023 when flames consumed the beloved symbol.
The unveiling of the new beer mug is slated for Saturday, 11 May, at 12pm on Place de la Libération in Diekirch. Festivities will include lively marches by the town band and some free drinks at a bar on the square. With a good-natured jest, Paul Maas quips about a keg reserved for the carnival club, jesting, "And they'd better empty it," to which Mich Fayot responds with a chuckle, "No problem!"
