Faculty of Science, Technology and Medicine
Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance
Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences
Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust
Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine
Luxembourg Centre for Contemporary and Digital History
Luxembourg Centre for European Law
Luxembourg Centre for Socio-Environmental Systems
With over 7,000 students and a personal atmosphere, Uni.lu provides fertile ground for student-led initiatives shaping campus life. The student magazine, ROUX, celebrating its third anniversary, is one such venture.
The magazine was founded in 2022 by Zoltan Tajti, a Master’s student in Modern and Contemporary European philosophy. Kristina Shatokhina, a ROUX writer, told the story of how, during a conference, Zoltan asked “cool and uncomfortable questions” to politicians, declaring that he was from the university’s student magazine. She and other students were inspired by his presence and wanted to partake in the work. ROUX was founded on that day, a “vital impulse” which led to a group of around 13-14 members and a core of 5-6 regular members.
Creating “something real” together
ROUX (like the humble sauce it’s named after) blends simple everyday ingredients (student thoughts and musings) into a foundation on which a variety of flavours and fragrances can build something nourishing. As it thickens and sets, it becomes something distinctive: an outlet for student creativity, especially valuable at the University of Luxembourg.
Its topics are inspired by interests and contributions of its members, who do the work freely in their leisure time. At first, humanities and a poetic touch took the lead, but as members changed, more computer science students joined and introduced pieces such as video game and film reviews. The topics evolve with the times and with each new generation of contributors. Always, the team sees each monthly issue as a point of pride. Every magazine captures a month’s worth of jokes, impulses and ideas, while the covers always spark glowing eyes.
The magazine aims to bring “more student life to campus”, to help people connect and create “something real” together. For half of the month, their regular meetings on campus focus on brainstorming and content planning ahead of their monthly publication deadline, and half on workshops and fun, listening to music and hanging out together in person.
ROUXPHORIA: Themed parties to connect students
In addition to regular magazine-centric activities, ROUX organises monthly themed parties called ROUXPHORIA, promoting an alternative party scene to the Uni.lu campus. The members recall how motivated attendants were to follow the dress codes: Y2K, alternative grunge, 70s party and more. “The dress code is an ice breaker; it helps people connect. Intent makes things more beautiful,” Umut Ucak of ROUX said.
Members Valère Gaube, Kristina Shatokhina, Umut Ucak and Dorian Sousa Calvo are about to graduate, like some of their peers who were the heart blood of the magazine. They are realistic each in their own way: “It may end,” Kristina noted. “Not everyone is so motivated, but ultimately, that is the destiny of many student clubs.”
“It will change but it will keep going, ROUX will adapt, as long as there’s people keeping it alive, it kind of functions,” Umut added.
“ With a bit of luck, we will find people as passionate as we were,” Valère said. “All we have to do is pass down the knowledge.”
The four enthused about the last Welcome Day (dedicated to new students): 10 new students joined, making the current meetings more workshop-like as the older members mentor and guide the new ones. They ran out of all 560 paper copies this September and 3-4 people are on a waiting list for future meetings.
‟ There is hope for a magazine running on the goodwill of its contributors who put in many hours of their busy study life towards this project of love and passion.”
Part of the cultural landscape of Luxembourg
In 2023, the magazine earned the Uni.lu’s Student Initiative Awards prize. They have multiple partnerships with and ties to the local cultural scene – they publish articles on RTL today, they send copies of the magazine to the Casino library, the Luxembourg Learning Centre and to the Bibliothèque nationale du Luxembourg (BnL). The Luxembourgish Literature Archive recently reached out to them as well to store the magazine in the national archive as a piece of cultural production by students for students. ROUX also has connections to the Atelier and the Rockhal and other venues for concerts and events.
Readers’ messages are particularly appreciated, whether it is to say a piece meant a lot to them or that they disagree with a video game review.
“A reader who communicates their feelings about a piece means we’re not yelling into the void. A magazine is made to be read. It’s all about connection.”
The ROUX magazine release one issue every month’s 3rd Thursday, except for the exam months (January and June). Those interested can follow them on Instagram to keep track of launches and events. They also have a website, to keep in touch with readers online as well.