The latest edition of the Postman’s Calendar has been unveiled, this year celebrating the nation’s monarchy. The official presentation took place on Tuesday evening.
Raymond Juchem, president of the postal workers’ union, explained that dedicating the 2026 calendar to the Grand Ducal family was a natural choice. Given Grand Duke Henri’s 25th anniversary and the historic change of throne in October 2025, the theme was a “foregone conclusion,” Juchem stated.
The calendar features an artistic depiction of the Grand Ducal Palace, with portraits of Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie, alongside the statue of Grand Duchess Charlotte. The artwork was painted in acrylics by Rol Steimes, his first time contributing to the project, with graphic design and layout by Carlo Rovatti.
Steimes described the creative process, noting they sought to capture defining symbols of the monarchy. “In my view, it was the Palace and the Grand Ducal couple,” he said. He painted the Palace based on his own photographs, after which Rovatti integrated the portraits to create the final composition.
A fixture in Luxembourgish households, the calendar provides not only dates but also public and school holidays, the new Grand Duke’s birthday, traditional Luxembourgish month names, and name days. Its enduring charm, Juchem noted, stems from this rich local detail and its long-standing tradition.
Juchem noted that the calendar enjoys particular popularity among older generations. “They all know a new calendar comes out every year with a new theme, which we as a union try to use to raise awareness about something,” he said. Throughout the year, he added, these calendars become familiar fixtures in kitchens and businesses. This enduring tradition, Juchem explained, is precisely why people anticipate its release and why it holds a special place in Luxembourg society.
However, Juchem pointed out that while the calendar is highly valued, the same appreciation is not always reflected in the working conditions of those who deliver it. He highlighted the “unfortunate situation” of three distinct employment statutes for postal workers, which result in significant pay disparities and cause considerable friction. “It is then also the role of the union, of all unions, to see that we can guarantee the best possible salary conditions,” he stated.
Juchem acknowledged the industry-wide challenge of declining letter volumes. Yet, he argued, the recent pandemic underscored the enduring importance of the profession. Without postmen, no newspapers, mail, or parcels would have been delivered, he said. With shops closed, state communications were distributed on paper by postal workers. “That’s when it became clear how important the profession still is today,” Juchem stressed, adding, “And Covid was yesterday, who knows what will happen in one, two, three years.”
Consequently, Juchem believes the profession is not on the verge of disappearing, despite the rise of digital tools. To secure its future, unions are focused on ensuring postal workers continue to have fair and stable working conditions.
Postal workers will begin delivering the calendar in the coming days.
