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In the framework of the Embassy’s Town Visits program, Ambassador Wagner made her first official visit to the commune of Boulaide in the North Western part of Luxembourg situated in historical Battle of the Bulge Country on April 8th, 2008. This visit followed an invitation by Mayor René Daubenfeld and the members of the Town Council.
The Ambassador laid a wreath at the memorial to the 35th Infantry Division and is the first U.S. Ambassador since the unveiling of the Memorial in 1976 to pay her respects at this hallowed place.
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At the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century around 25% of the population of Luxembourg emigrated to the U.S. Many of those came from and around Boulaide. Mayor Daubenfeld researches their history and organizes regular trips to the American Midwest where descendants of Luxembourg emigrants still live. His program is called “Building Bridges” and so, Ambassador Wagner being herself a great supporter of the project, cultural and historical exchanges were another important topic of this visit.
In the framework of the U.S. Embassy's youth outreach programs and as a follow up to the Open Houses hosted by U.S. Ambassador Ann Wagner in late February 2008 to celebrate the Luxembourg and American Art on display at the historic U.S. Embassy Residence, Monday, April 7, 2008, thirteen students of the 3rd grade primary school in Belair-Luxembourg and their teacher were welcomed by Ambassador Wagner to view the art collection and visit the U.S. Embassy Residence. After a tour of the art collection and the residence, the children had the opportunity to meet and talk to Ambassador Wagner about their impressions on the visit and the life and work of an Ambassador. This event highlighted the Ambassador's strong commitment to diplomacy through art as well as her support of the local arts community. Most importantly it presented a unique outreach opportunity to share American culture, art and history with local children. About the Art Collection:
The art collection on display comprises: paintings and sculptures from the Ambassador’s home state of Missouri, several Luxembourgish artists’ work including works by Roger GERSON, Jean-Pierre LAMBORAY, Auguste TREMONT, Sosthene WEIS, Jean-Marie BIWER, Robert BRANDY, Tom FLICK, Ger MAAS, and Roland SCHAULS.
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On Tuesday, 19 February, 2008, Ambassador Ann WAGNER hosted a reception celebrating the Luxembourg and American Art on display at the U.S. Embassy Residence.
In addition to a collection of art from the Ambassador’s home state of Missouri, local artists - whose works are on display in the residence - art and museum directors, art students and cultural editors of various local press and media were present at this event.
Furthermore, the reception was used to announce the upcoming Open Houses to view the Art Collection and the historic residence by the general public. For the first time ever, hundreds of visitors were welcomed into the U.S. Ambassador's residence. Visitors were given copies of two booklets highlighting the American Art in Embassies and the Luxembourg Art Collection.
Through widespread coverage in the media, this event highlighted the Ambassador's strong commitment to diplomacy through art as well as her support of the local arts community. Most importantly it presented a unique outreach opportunity to share American culture and art with the local community.
On February 7th, 2008, Ambassador Wagner was the guest honor at a regional primary school complex in northern Luxembourg for the kick off of the latest edition of the picture book and DVD entitled "Luxembourg during World War II; with a special focus on the Battle of Bulge and the liberation of Luxembourg by American troops".
A group of 150 children with their teachers along with the authors of the book and DVD, the mayors of the three sponsoring communities, representatives of the Ministry of Education and members of the largest WWII commemorative societies and museums attended the event which was covered by a large panel of the national print press. A few days later, noted World War II historian Roland Gaul made two appearances to discuss the book on Luxembourg's largest radio and TV channel, RTL.
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The original book was published and financed by the Embassy in 2004 for the 60th anniversary celebration of the end of the Battle of the Bulge. Thanks to additional Embassy funding, 3000 copies of the enhanced 2008 edition are now available for distribution.
In cooperation with the Ministry of Education and the 116 communes throughout the country, the Embassy has arranged that each 5th and 6th grade teacher and class in the Grand Duchy will receive a copy of the book, which will be used as supplementary material for history classes.
Additionally, to preserve the collective memory of World War II events and in conjunction with their educational programs, the National Museum of Military History and the General George Patton Museum will distribute the picture books and DVDs to their young visitors.
On Thursday 31st, 2008, Ambassador WAGNER and the American Women's Club of Luxembourg hosted a reception thanking company sponsors, donors, and American Stand Committee Members for the great success of the 47th International Charity Bazaar in December 2007.
Every year, the International Bazaar has representation from 40 different nationalities and attendance of upwards to 30,000 visitors. The American Stand was able to raise €39,000. Beneficiaries of the money raised included 117 charities from over 60 countries. The main charity benefiting from this international effort the year is a refugee camp in Sudan. Various charities in Luxembourg also benefited from the funds raised.
On September 20, Ambassador Wagner hosted a reception for three Luxembourgian students who participated in the World Scholar Athlete Games in Kingston, Rhode Island, from June 24-July 2, 2006. The Games are a venue for young people from around the world to gather and pursue their athletic and artistic interests. More Community Outreach Highlights
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On 11 December, 2007 Ambassador Wagner hosted a reception at her residence honoring the winners of the Best of Both Cultures Essay Contest. The contest, launched in September 2006, was aimed at students attending their last two years of secondary school in Luxembourg. Students were asked to write an essay in English on the following topic: ““If you could visit the United States for two weeks, how would you spend your time? What aspects of U.S. history, culture, economics or political life would you be most interested in exploring? In return, imagine you could invite a high school student from the U.S. to visit Luxembourg for two weeks. What aspects of Luxembourg (historical, cultural, economic or political) would you have him/her discover?” The Essays were judged by four judges, two from the U.S. and two from Luxembourg. Three "Grand Prize Winners" each received a 1000€ voucher for a trip to a destination of their choice, and five additional Prize Winners received gift vouchers for a total amount of 1550€. Ten honorable mention prizes were also be awarded.
The reception was an opportunity not only to meet the student finalists from eight different schools (out of 31 total in the country), but also to reach out to their parents, the headmasters and English teachers from their high schools and the panel of judges.
On December 3, 2007, Ambassador Wagner hosted the annual mayors’ reception, a tradition that began with America’s first envoy to Luxembourg, Perle Mesta. In 2005, the Embassy expanded its relations with the mayors by launching a program that sends Luxembourg’s community leaders to the United States to exchange ideas and consult with their counterparts at all levels of American government. This year, with help of Minister for Interior and territorial Planning Jean-Marie Halsdorf and the Syndicat des Villes et Communes de Luxembourg (SYVICOL), five mayors and a city councilor made the trip to the U.S. Another Embassy program that fosters bi-lateral relations is the Town Visits program. Each year the Ambassador visits several communes and cities of the Grand Duchy where she meets with the mayors and town councils and meets with citizens and key players of the economic and cultural life of the municipalities.
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The U.S. Embassy Luxembourg and a representative from the Belgium-Luxembourg Fulbright Commission represented Education USA at the 21st annual student fair at the Luxembourg Expo Center. The fair runs over two days each fall and this year over 1500 students stopped by to get more information about pursuing higher education in the U.S. Students gained information about the education system in American by speaking to PD staff and our Fulbright Educational Advisor, who came from Brussels for the event. This annual event is hosted by the Ministry of Education and all local high school students in their last 2 years of school visit the fair as well as high school and University students from neighboring France, Germany and Belgium. Interested students received handouts and highlighters with the ‘Education USA’ website as well as e-journals and books about preparing to study in America. This fair gives PD the opportunity to reach the largest number of students at a single outreach event each year.
On November 6, 2007, Ambassador Wagner hosted the kick off of the Toys for Tots 2007 program. Originating 60 years ago, Toys for Tots is a long-standing and popular charity program in the USA and the signature charitable activity of the U.S. Marine Corps. It started during Christmas 1947 when Major Bill Hendricks and a Los Angeles California Marine Reservist group gathered and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. Under the chairmanship of the American Women’s Club Luxembourg, and in cooperation with the American Chamber of Commerce and Allied Arthur Pierre, the program aims at collecting cash donations to purchase over 400 toys which will be donated to over 50 children’s shelters, to women’s shelters, and to safe houses all over Luxembourg. Due to many giving individuals and 14 sponsoring companies more than 10,000 € have been raised this year. The toys are being distributed by Saint Nicolas on December 6. Sponsors that make the Toy drive possible are: NAMSA, U.S. Embassy, AWCL, I.S.L, JP Morgan, Schroder Investment Management, Franklin Templeton Services, Clearstream, Fortis Banque Luxembourg, MASCO, Fidelity Investment, Miami University and State Street.
The U.S. Embassy and the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State in consultation with the Minister of Interior and territorial development Jean-Marie Halsdorf and SYVICOL successfully completed the second annual edition of the Community Leaders Exchange Program which took place from 1 to 9 September 2007. Five mayors and one town councilor from Luxembourg spent one week in the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan area where they met with several local government leaders in order to foster mutual understanding about meeting the goals of local communities. They explored the relationship among U.S. federal and municipal government administrations and the characteristics of the decentralized nature of the U.S. government. They also learned about the specific approaches to issues such planning and urban growth, transportation planning, environmental protection, housing, law enforcement and public safety, hospitals, and methods for handling licensing and permits. Furthermore, the participants met with the Washington DC City Council member David Catania and the mayor and city manager of Greenbelt, Maryland. They also had a chance to participate in Greenbelt's annual Labor Day Parade and had a lengthy discussion with U.S. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin who both participated in the parade.
On June 6, 2007 a check presentation by the American Women’s Club Luxembourg 2006-2007 Board members took place at the Ambassador’s residence. One of the AWCL’s mission is to foster and encourage social, educational, cultural, and philanthropic activities in the interest of furthering American-Luxembourg relations. At the reception, checks were awarded to seven local and international charities: Foyer Sud “Fraen an Nout (EUR 4,000); Liewenshaff/Paerd's atelier (EUR 4,750); OMEGA 90 (EUR 2,000); Ligue Luxembourgeoise de la sclérose en plaques (EUR 2,000) ; CHOPPACHOPPA a.s.b.l. (EUR 500); FISCHER HOUSE (EUR 1,000) and ASHINAWAS FAMILY CHARITY in India (EUR 1750).
![PHOTO: Courtesy of Steve Eastwood/from left to right: Ray Wagner, Ambassador Wagner, Minister for Treasury and Budget Luc Frieden]( "PHOTO: Courtesy of Steve Eastwood/from left to right: Ray Wagner, Ambassador Wagner, Minister for Treasury and Budget Luc Frieden")
Ambassador Wagner hosts a reception for the Financial Services and Tax Committees of the American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg On May 14, 2007, Ambassador Ann Wagner hosted a reception honoring the Financial Services and Tax Committees of the American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg. This event featured as guest speaker Mr. Luc Frieden, Minister of Treasury and Budget, and brought together members of the financial and tax industry sector, the Association of the Luxembourg Funds Industry officers, VIP corporate members of AMCHAM, Government of Luxembourg officials, municipal officials, and several members of the diplomatic corps. In his keynote address with an audience of about 200, Minister Frieden stressed the importance of the bilateral and multilateral relations between Luxembourg and the U.S. and between the EU and the U.S. Minister Frieden spoke about his vision regarding the future of Luxembourg. He emphasized the necessity for a small country such as Luxembourg to remain competitive, to develop an attractive legal framework, to foster professional training and implement measures that will enable highly qualified professionals to settle in Luxembourg. He also praised Luxembourg’s commitment to develop its communication capacities and infrastructures such as the construction of the new airport terminal to be completed by next year.
Ambassador Wagner visits the Portuguese Cultural Center "Instituto Camões"On May 2, 2007, Ambassador Wagner made an outreach visit to the Instituto Camões, the Portuguese cultural center, with the Portuguese Ambassador to Luxembourg, Mr. Rui Félix-Alves, as her host. The Instituto Camões in Luxembourg was inaugurated in May 1999 and promotes Portuguese culture and language world-wide under the supervision of the Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs. The institute hosts exhibitions, concerts and ballets, conferences, and has a free library with a computer and Internet facilities. The institute also operates under sponsorship and cooperation with numerous Luxembourg cultural institutions. Finally, and in order to reach out to a large part of the Portuguese community living in Luxembourg, Ambassador Wagner granted an interview to Contacto, the largest Portuguese-language newspaper in Luxembourg.
On Tuesday March 13th, Ambassador Wagner helped the Miami University Alumni Association Luxembourg Chapter welcome Miami University’s new President, Dr. David C. Hodge to Luxembourg. This was President Hodge’s first trip to the Grand Duchy to visit Miami’s Luxembourg Campus. Students from Luxembourg first began to study at Miami in 1972, shortly after the Luxembourg Campus was established. The Miami University Alumni Association Luxembourg Chapter has over 100 Luxembourgish members who have earned degrees from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
AMBASSADOR HOSTS ANNUAL FULBRIGHT RECEPTIONOn February 28, Ambassador Wagner hosted the annual Fulbright Scholars Reception honoring American Fulbright Scholars in Europe and the many Luxembourg Fulbright alumni who have become leading figures in Luxembourg politics, European institutions, and the private sector. The Ambassador’s welcoming address highlighted the extraordinary value of educational exchanges, with the Fulbright Scholars being a part of the premier exchange program. Furthermore, the Ambassador saluted the evolution of the EU – U.S. relationship over the past 25 years, focusing now on partnering with allies on global issues, especially those aimed at promoting international security and stability. AMBASSADOR HOSTS AMERICAN WOMENS CLUB - INTERNATIONAL CHARITY BAZAAR RECEPTIONOn March 1, Ambassador Wagner hosted the a reception thanking company sponsors, donors, and American Stand Committee members for the great success of the American Stand at the 46th International Charity Bazaar that took place in December 2006. The bazaar – one of the most popular annual charity events in the country – had representation from 45 countries and attendance of upwards to 25,000 visitors. The American Stand was able to raise €38,000 – the most money ever raised by the American Stand as well as the most by any stand last year. Beneficiaries of the money raised include 122 charities from 59 countries: three charities which support initiatives to provide clean drinking water in Kenya, Burkina Faso, and Cameroon; ten charities in Luxembourg and two grass-roots charities in New Orleans established in response to Hurricane Katrina.
In the framework of the Embassy’s Town Visits program, Ambassador Wagner made her first official visit to the country’s second largest city, Esch-sur-Alzette (population 28,000) on February 26. With the Mayor (and Member of Parliament), Mrs. Lydie Mutsch, Félix Braz, another Member of Parliament, several municipal council members, the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Luxembourg Mr. Paul Schoenenberg, and the President of Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce Mr. Pierre Gramegna, Ambassador Wagner visited strategically important economic development areas of the city. Comprehensive discussions were held on the various opportunities for U.S. companies to invest in the technology, research and innovation sectors that are expected to grow around the future campus of the University of Luxembourg.  |
On February 28, Ambassador Wagner also visited the town of Hoscheid in northern Luxembourg. After meeting with the members of the municipal council, the Ambassador laid a wreath at the local monument dedicated to the American soldiers who fell during the Battle of the Bulge. The Ambassador also visited a primary school.
In a tradition of outreach efforts started by U.S. Envoy Perle Mesta, the Embassy continues to build on already close relationships with communities and their leaders throughout the Grand Duchy.
On March 15th Ambassador Wagner was welcomed to Munshausen by the Mayors of Munshausen, Troisvierges, Wincrange, and Clervaux. Ambassador Wagner visited the Tarkett company headquarters, a world leader in the production of resilient floorings. The Ambassador also visited the Inter Communcal Syndicate for the promotion of the Clervaux Region. Mayor and Member of Parliament Mr. Romain Schneider welcomed Ambassador Wagner to the town of Wiltz on March 19th. The Ambassador visited the gardens and social cultural center of the city.
Ambassador Ann L. Wagner welcomes American Architect I.M. Pei On June 30th 2006, Ambassador Ann L. Wagner hosted a reception for American Architect I.M. Pei to celebrate the opening of his latest project, the Musee d'Art Moderne Grand-Duc Jean (MUDAM) in Luxembourg.  | | Ambassador Wagner welcomes Mr. and Mrs. Pei to the U.S. Embassy Residence. |
In her speech, Ambassdor Wagner highlighted the American contributions to this project, in addition to the American architect the MUDAM’s opening exhibit features works of art by 22 American artists, many of whom were present.
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