St Barbara’s Day is a longstanding tradition still celebrated in many regions, often accompanied by cannon salutes to mimic the noises which used to come from the mines. In Tétange, however, the salutes have stopped these days, says Kayl native Men Goergen.
“In the past it was a lot louder, they used gunpowder for the salutes. I remember as a boy they’d start in the middle of the night, but people were just used to it. Nowadays, young people aren’t aware, they can’t remember it at all as it was before their time. I’m now 79 years old and I’ve been taking part since I was a young boy. We even used to play in the mines as children.”
These days, gas cannons are used as a more environmental- and wildlife-friendly option. St Barbara’s Day has been a tradition in the Minette region for a very long time, says honourary mayor of Kayl John Lorent, who is also president of the celebration’s committee in Tétange. The miners’ legacy are the social rights of today.
“They are the origin of our social legislation, not just here but in all of Western Europe. Our rights come from the demands made by the mining community and other workers. It’s just a fact. So our solidarity for miners is a given. They had a very dangerous and difficult job, so it’s clear that’s where the demands came from.”
Rumelange, Kayl, Dudelange and Differdange all had mines which ensured Luxembourg’s wealth and turned the farming country into a modern industrial nation. “Bäerbelendag” is therefore part of the national list of intangible cultural heritage. It has been celebrated since 1954.
