{"id":56428,"date":"2026-01-26T10:45:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T09:45:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uni.lu\/en\/?post_type=news&p=56428"},"modified":"2026-01-26T11:05:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T10:05:20","slug":"roux-a-monthly-taste-of-student-creativity-at-uni-lu","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.uni.lu\/en\/news\/roux-a-monthly-taste-of-student-creativity-at-uni-lu\/","title":{"rendered":"ROUX: A monthly taste of student creativity at Uni.lu"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The magazine was founded in 2022 by Zoltan Tajti, a Master\u2019s student in Modern and Contemporary European philosophy. Kristina Shatokhina, a ROUX writer, told the story of how, during a conference, Zoltan asked \u201ccool and uncomfortable questions<\/em>\u201d to politicians, declaring that he was from the university\u2019s student magazine. She and other students were inspired by his presence and wanted to partake in the work. ROUX<\/a> was founded on <\/strong>that day, a \u201cvital impulse<\/em>\u201d which led to a group of around 13-14 members and a core of 5-6 regular members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nCreating \u201csomething real\u201d together<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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ROUX (like the humble sauce it\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s worth of jokes, impulses and ideas, while the covers always spark glowing eyes.\u00a0 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The magazine aims to bring \u201cmore student life to campus<\/em>\u201d, to help people connect and create \u201csomething real<\/em>\u201d 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nROUXPHORIA: Themed parties to connect students<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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. \u201cThe dress code is an ice breaker; it helps people connect. Intent makes things more beautiful,\u201d Umut Ucak of ROUX said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Members Val\u00e8re 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: \u201cIt may end,\u201d Kristina noted. \u201cNot everyone is so motivated, but ultimately, that is the destiny of many student clubs.\u201d
\u201cIt will change but it will keep going, ROUX will adapt, as long as there\u2019s people keeping it alive, it kind of functions,\u201d Umut added.
\u201c With a bit of luck, we will find people as passionate as we were,\u201d Val\u00e8re said. \u201cAll we have to do is pass down the knowledge.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The four enthused about the last Welcome Day<\/a> (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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n \u201f<\/span>\n 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.\u201d\n<\/blockquote>\n
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\n \n\"ROUX <\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\nPart of the cultural landscape of Luxembourg<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2013 they publish articles on RTL today, they send copies of the magazine to the Casino library, the Luxembourg Learning Centre<\/a> and to the Biblioth\u00e8que 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\u2019 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.  
\u201cA reader who communicates their feelings about a piece means we\u2019re not yelling into the void. A magazine is made to be read. It\u2019s all about connection.<\/em>\u201d 
 
The ROUX magazine release one issue every month\u2019s 3rd<\/sup> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n