Greek people living in Luxembourg : 3,442 in 2019 versus 1,541 in 2011 (source Statec.lu).
What about the greek presence in Luxembourg ?
The first Greeks came to Luxembourg in the 1950s to serve in the NATO Support and Procurement Agency. In the early 1980s, when Greece joined the EU, a significant number of Greeks arrived in Luxembourg to serve in the EU institutions.
The Greek population in Luxembourg is growing rapidly in the last decade. This is mainly due to the economic crisis in Greece and the high birth rate of Greeks in Luxembourg. According to the official population figures provided by STATEC, the Greek population doubled from 2011 to 2018. However, it is believed that the number of Greeks living permanently or temporarily in Luxembourg is higher than 5,000.
Most of the Greeks in Luxembourg work at the EU institutions, the financial and the ICT sector. There are also several Greek restaurants that employ Greeks. The European School offers studies in Greek at all levels of compulsory education (primary and secondary school). Graduates of the European School can participate in the special public exams in order to be admitted to the Universities and Military Schools in Greece.
Greek Traditions and events
Greeks are very tight with their traditions and culture, especially when they live abroad and miss their homeland. Several of these traditions are associated with culinary habits and practicing their religion.
Greek Orthodox church
Thus, the Greek Orthodox Church of Agios Nikolaos (Saint Nicolas) in Weiler-la-Tour (1a, rue du Schlammesté, L-5770, Weiler-la-Tour, ekklhsia@pt.lu, +352 2667 0364) is not only a place for Greeks to practice their religion, but is also a meeting point for the Greeks in Luxembourg. Often, the Sunday service is followed by a coffee break with cakes.
Marriages and baptisms also take place in this Church. Christmas and Easter are celebrated in Luxembourg, at the Church, people’s homes and Greek Restaurants. Parties, speeches and theatre plays also assist in keeping traditions such as the carnival, national holidays and other key dates in Greek cultural calendar.
National Days
Greece has got 2 National Days : March 25, which is the uprising against Ottoman domination in 1821 and 28 October, which is the « Day of No », i. e. the rejection by the Greek dictator Ioánnis Metaxás of the ultimatum issued by Italy on 28 October 1940
Other events
- International Bazaar stand
