Earlier this year, the municipality of Niederanven unveiled a rainbow-coloured street as a symbol of support for the LGBTQI community. However, the initiative was met with a wave of hateful comments and ultimately vandalised, sparking conversations across the country about queer visibility and public support. In response, Esch-sur-Alzette decided to create its own Rainbow Passage in the Uelzechtstrooss, aiming to turn a negative episode into a statement of support and resilience
Esch was Luxembourg’s first Rainbow City, and with that comes a responsibility to address these issues", said Pim Knaff, a councillor in the Esch municipal council. "The council therefore decided to express our solidarity with Niederanven."
Esch-sur-Alzette, with a population of around 34,000, is the smallest city in the Rainbow Cities Network (RCN), an international coalition founded in The Hague in 2013 to promote LGBTQI inclusion. Esch joined the network in January 2014.
Cities in the RCN see it as their duty to protect and support their LGBTQ+ residents as discrimination often occurs close to home.
For Esch, this is mainly a question of responsibility, above all – it is up to the city to stand by its residents' side.
For Esch, the Rainbow Passage is more than just a symbolic gesture. "Across Europe and the rest of the world, LGBTQI rights are increasingly being questioned and curtailed. We cannot agree with that. These are fundamental rights, and here in Esch, we are committed to defending them across party lines", said Knaff.
The location was chosen for a specific reason. "The rainbow has been installed at a lovely, symbolic location, in the Brill quarter. In the past, this was known as the immigration district, and now it is our cultural district."
The passage is surrounded by the city theatre, a school, an art gallery, and the Resistance Museum. Next year, the House of Diversity will open its doors close-by.
The initiative goes beyond symbolic action. "In cooperation with Rosa Lëtzebuerg and Luxembourg Pride, we have worked to develop a full programme around this project", said Knaff.
The Place de la Résistance in Esch will play host to a street festival from 4pm on 26 September, under the name Esch in Colours. There will be a fashion show by Nadine Robert and musical performances by OKE.
As municipal councillor, Pim Knaff will present the official opening of the Rainbow Passage, and not as alderman, as Daliah Scholl took over this role from Monday.
The festivities will continue at the Esch art gallery from 9pm to 3am, with a DJ and a drag show.
