by Sanja Simic, Country Manager for Luxembourg
In 1848, the “Springtime of the Peoples” revolutionary movement shook Europe and Luxembourg. 175 years later, the Luxembourg National Archives and the Luxembourg Parliament organised an exhibition dedicated to this pivotal period in the country's history (APE also dedicated a prominent Highlight to the anniversary, #Constitutionsof1848).
The Luxembourg exhibition “1848 - Revolutioun zu Lëtzebuerg” opened its doors on 10 July 2023. Due to the great interest generated by it, its duration has been extended until 24 February 2024.
The entrance to the Luxembourg National Archives and the exhibition “1848 – Revolutioun zu Lëtzebuerg”(copyright: ANLux, Chambre des Députés)
As part of their official visit to Luxembourg, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and his wife Elke Büdenbender, visited the exhibition "1848 - Revolutioun zu Lëtzebuerg" with TT.RR.HH. the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, on Monday 10 July 2023. (copyright : Chambre des députés)
The exhibition in German and French at the Luxembourg National Archives highlights the reasons behind the unrest of March 1848 and addresses the question of whether a genuine revolution took place in the Grand Duchy. It also analyses the direct consequences of the events of March 1848, in particular the drafting of the country's first liberal constitution, signed on 9 July 1848, and the creation of the Chamber of Deputies (today’s Parliament). Finally, it looks at the first parliamentary proceedings and the implementation of constitutional principles, as well as at the successive adaptations of the constitution to the evolution of society up to its current version, which came into force on 1 July 2023.
Some impressions of the exhibition at the Luxembourg National Archives Copyright: ANLux, Chambre des Députés
The publication 1848 - Revolutioun zu Lëtzebuerg accompanying the exhibition can be purchased via www.anlux.lu for 40 euros. It brings together 16 articles on various subjects relating to the year 1848 in Luxembourg and aims not only to delve deeper into the issues raised by the exhibition, but also to bring together different research approaches.
The book “1848 – Revolutioun zu Lëtzebuerg” (copyright : ANLux)
In addition to the immersive and interactive exhibition held in the National Archives building, the multilingual audio guide “Luxembourg Revolution Trail 1848” is also available on the application izi.TRAVEL (by scanning the QR code below). It enables users to discover buildings in Luxembourg City that tell the story of the 1848 revolution and its antecedents.
Furthermore, four quizzes have been developed around the exhibition, which allow the visitors to test their knowledge about the 1848 events and historical context prior to their visit at the Archives, and after having seen the exhibition.
The quizzes can be viewed via the following links:
In French : Quiz 1 – Quiz 2 – Quiz 3 – Quiz 4
In German : Quiz 1 – Quiz 2 – Quiz 3 – Quiz 4
If you wish to know more about the 1848 events in Luxembourg, come visit the exhibition “1848 – Revolutioun zu Lëtzebuerg” at the Luxembourg National Archives, or click here to access the “Highlight” section dedicated to the Constitutions of 1848 in Europe on Archives Portal Europe.