As far back as ancient Egypt, donkeys were used as working animals to carry loads. They still play an important role in agriculture in many parts of the world today, with their endurance and sure-footedness making them reliable working animals.
In Steinsel, donkeys took centre stage over the weekend as 'D'Ieselsfrënn Lëtzebuerg' – Donkey Friends Luxembourg – held its donkey festival next to the sports hall to mark the association's 25th anniversary. Visitors of all ages were able to get up close to the animals.
But the event was not just about petting and admiring the donkeys. The association also aims to show how versatile the animals can be and raise awareness of what proper donkey care involves.
One of the animals, Elvis, was dressed in the traditional style associated with donkeys on France's Île de Ré. Nicolas Schweicher. who owns three donkeys and who co-founded the association in 2001, explained that donkeys there were historically used to collect seaweed along the Atlantic coast.
As rotting seaweed attracted large numbers of mosquitoes, the animals were fitted with protective trousers to help shield their legs from bites, he said.
Nicolas Schweicher, who owns three donkeys himself, co-founded the association in 2001. Donkey Friends Luxembourg previously organised festivals in 2005 and 2007, and revived the tradition this year for its milestone anniversary.
The association also works with the French organisation 'Ânes solidaires' – Solidary donkeys. Joint cross-border projects are partly funded through the EU's Interreg programme.
As private donkey ownership has increased over the years, raising awareness has become increasingly important for the association. Proper care is essential, stressed Pascale Hoffmann, president of Donkey Friends Luxembourg.
Hoffmann said that in the past, the association often received enquiries from people interested in keeping a donkey in a field at home. Today, however, requests are more often from owners looking for a companion animal after another donkey has died or fallen ill, she stated.
A donkey is not simply there to graze the lawn in the garden, Schweicher explained. He added that donkeys need to be trained, should not be kept alone, and cannot simply be allowed to eat as much as they want.
He said that donkeys originate from relatively arid regions and their digestive systems are adapted accordingly. Schweicher added that Luxembourg's richer, more nutrient-dense pastures can therefore provide too much food, meaning owners need to carefully control how much their animals eat.
He also stressed the importance of training from an early age, comparing a young donkey to a child that still needs to learn how to behave.
The celebrations also included a procession through the village, giving the donkeys and their owners another opportunity to take centre stage.
