Join us on Wednesday 15 October 2025 for the first ever C²DH History Festival – an afternoon full of ideas, discovery and insights at the Belval Plaza shopping centre in Esch-sur-Alzette.
For this first edition of its Histofest, the C²DH invites you to dive into the stories of some of the prominent figures who have visited Esch-sur-Alzette in recent decades. From Grand Duke Jean to Pope John Paul II, from Tito to Ceaușescu, these historic encounters have left a lasting mark on the town. Were you there? We would love to hear your memories or impressions of these key moments!
The festivities will begin at 16.30 with a mini exhibition, a photo challenge and lively discussions about Luxembourg’s fascinating contemporary history. Find out more about the work of the C²DH – especially the research projects coordinated by Dominique Santana (a web documentary about Radio Luxembourg and a transmedia project about ARBED’s steel plant in Brazil), Joëlla van Donkersgoed (participatory collections related to the history of Luxembourg) and Marten Düring (the Impresso platform for analysing historical media archives), as well as the “Maison du Son” in Pétange, led by Andreas Fickers and Sebastian Döring.
Contribute to the creation of the festival’s Golden Book by looking at those of the City of Esch or the National Museum of Resistance and Human Rights: make sure you stop by the bookbinding workshop run by Danielle Köller-Willems, where you can also learn how to craft your own booklet and take home a unique handmade souvenir!
The event is aimed at people of all ages and backgrounds, including children and families.
In the evening, head to Kinepolis Belval for a great film line-up starting at 18:30, featuring two powerful documentaries:
- 18.30 – Tito Among the Serbs for the Second Time by Želimir Žilnik
- 20.15 – Nicolae by Mihai Grecu
Each screening will include an introduction and a Q&A with the directors – a unique chance to explore history through film and dialogue.
The pilot edition of Histofest is part of the EUROPAST project, funded by the European Union under the WIDERA programme (Grant Agreement No. 101079466).
Any questions? Feel free to contact Dr Dora Komnenovic for more information about the festival.
-
WHAT
HISTOFEST. History on Full Blast
-
WHAT EXACTLY
hands-on activities, project’s fair, exhibition, hologram display, film screenings with Q&A
-
WHEN
Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 16.30 – 22.00
-
WHERE
Belval Plaza 1, 2nd floor and Kinepolis Belval (3rd floor)
-
WHO
all welcome, free entry
Programme
-
16.30
Project’s fair, hands-on activities, exhibition, hologram display, book binding workshop with Danielle Köller-Willems. Give us a hand in creating the Golden Book of the Festival inspired by two exhibited examples: the Golden Book of the City of Esch and the Visitor’s Book of the Museum of Resistance. Learn how exciting the art of book binding can be. Explore first-hand some of our Centre’s projects at the project’s fair and participate in our historical photo challenge with the chance of winning prizes! Engage in a conversation with our special guests Želimir Žilnik, Mihai Grecu and a surprise guest from the past!
-
17.30
Official opening and presentation of activities. Music and food!
-
18.30 – 20.00
Film screening #1 “Tito Among the Serbs for the Second Time” including Q&A with director Želimir Žilnik (at Kinepolis)
-
20.15-21.45
Film screening #2 „Nicolae“ including Q&A with director Mihai Grecu (at Kinepolis)
© Archives communales – Ville de Differdange / Département Patrimoine historique et industriel – Ville d’Esch-sur-Alzette / Fototeca online a comunismului românesc 109/1972