Read Around the World September 2020: Luxembourg

September saw us make our merry way across Europe to visit one of the smallest countries in the world LuxembourgFun facts about Luxembourg from this website  

• Luxembourg is the second-richest country in the world.
• Nearly half of Luxembourg’s workforce commutes to work in Luxembourg from another country.
• The restaurant with the world’s largest wine list is in Luxembourg.
• Facts about Luxembourg’s political system: it is the only Grand Duchy in the world.
• June 23 is the date of the Grand Duke’s official birthday but neither Henri – nor indeed any other Grand Duke – was born on that day.
• There are 17km of underground tunnels cut out of the solid rock beneath Luxembourg City.
• Luxembourg’s motto is mir wëllebleiwewatmirsinn, which means ‘we want to remain what we are’.
• Just under half of the permanent residents in Luxembourg are foreign
• Luxembourg is one of the smallest countries in the world.
• Facts about Luxembourg: Luxembourgers love hopping. Each Whit Tuesday some 10,000 men, women, and children gather in the city of Echertnach in honor of seventh-century monk St Willibrord to take part in Europe’s largest traditional dancing procession, an event which has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Watched by around 40,000 spectators, dancers wearing white shirts and dark trousers or skirts and holding handkerchiefs perform a synchronized hopping procession around the city, accompanied by a catchy polka marching band.

This was another month where it was difficult to find a book to read that matches my criteria of an author from the country in fact my very narrow choice was The Pleasure of Drowning by Jean Bürlesk .

I was a bit dubious about this one as it is a short story collection (and you know my feelings about those) however I was pleasantly surprised as this collection was mainly fairytale retellings (and I love me a fairytale). As with all short story collections there are stories that are stronger and stories that are weaker that said there were none that I hated and a couple that I really enjoyed. Stories you may recognise include a retelling of Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Snow White and in terms of legends we have Melusina (my favourite) and Blue Beard.

All in all a collection with something for everyone and just the right blend of humour and darkness.

I have to say I also loved the authors dedications and yes I am one of those weird people who read them all.

Other readers visited Luxembourg in the following ways:

Currey from Litsy – The Expats by Chris Pavone this was rated a So-So and also The Pleasure of Drowning rated Pick.

Rockpools from Litsy – The Pleasure of Drowning rated Pick.

Did you join us on our journey? Share how you visited Luxembourg in comments.

Next month we are off to North Korea how will you choose to visit?