Events
Les protagonistes marchent sur le tapis rouge, entourés de militaires au garde-à-vous.
The arrival of Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians at Luxembourg railway station, where they were met by His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg.

Our King and Queen travel to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for a State Visit

From 15 until 17 October 2019, Their Majesties the King and the Queen of the Belgians travelled to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for a State Visit. They were accompanied for the occasion by Rudi Vervoort, the Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region (BCR).

This State Visit to a country that is so close to Belgium on so many levels – in terms of its history, geography, politics, economy and culture – was all the more evident given that the King of Belgium and the Grand Duke of Luxembourg are cousins. The programme included numerous ceremonies, receptions and exchanges, including a State Banquet, a meeting with Xavier Bettel, the Premier Minister of Luxembourg, and Fernand Etgen, the President du Chamber of Deputies, a concert at the Orchestre Philharmonique du Luxembourg offered by Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians and a reception at the City Hall of Luxembourg hosted by Mayor Lydie Polfer. 

The protagonists are seated in an official salon.
Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians and members of the official delegation meet with Xavier Bettel, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg.

 

The importance of a rail link between Brussels and Luxembourg

Their Majesties the King and Queen travelled to Luxembourg by train to underscore the importance of a reliable rail link between Brussels and Luxembourg. The train is the most environment-friendly means of transport between these two capital cities, which are so close to each other and which are also home to many European institutions. But the rail link needs an urgent upgrade, which fortunately is on the cards. The royal train took three whole hours to cover the 200+ kilometres that separate Brussels-Luxembourg and Luxembourg Train Station.

 

Mudam, a source of cultural inspiration

Rudi Vervoort, the Minister-President of the BCR, took advantage of the opportunity to visit Luxembourg’s magnificent contemporary art museum Mudam. The building was designed by the recently-deceased architect Ieoh Ming Pei. He was accompanied by Yves Goldstein, the driving force behind Kanal – Centre Pompidou. Their visit was an excellent source of inspiration and an opportunity to discuss a collaboration for the future contemporary museum which is set to open in Brussels in 2023.

The protagonists, standing in a contemporary art gallery.
The Brussels delegation, led by Minister-President Rudi Vervoort, during their visit of Mudam, the Grand Duke Jean Museum of Modern Art of Luxembourg.
  
The protagonists walk down a glass corridor with views of the surrounding nature.
The Brussels delegation visits Mudam.

 

Circular economy in the spotlight

In addition to space industry, finance and the audio-visual sector, the programme of the State Visit also focussed on the circular economy on the initiative of the BCR. On Thursday 17 October 2019, hub.brussels and the Chamber of Commerce of Luxembourg organised a seminar, with the support of Brussels International, titled “From Linear to Circular: the Future of Construction”, in the enchanting setting of Biodiversum in Remerschen.

A view of this contemporary building in its natural surroundings on the water.
The superb Biodiversum nature and forest visitor centre in Remerschen.
  
The participants, who are seated facing the Minister-President, listen to his speech.
Speech of Rudi Vervoort, Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region, during a seminar titled “From Linear to Circular: the Future of Construction”.
The protagonists, standing, in a hall during a guided tour.
Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians and His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg visit Biodiversum in Remerschen.

The event also included an exhibition of projects by Luxembourg and Belgian companies specialising in circular economy. Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians and His Royal Highness Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg had the opportunity to speak with the exhibitors, including several Brussels-based companies: Extensa, which has been tasked with the redevelopment of the Tour & Taxis site, the innovative architect’s firm Dzerostudio and the social start-up Permafungi, which grows oyster mushrooms on recycled, organic coffee grinds. All the participants were given a Made in Brussels mushroom growing kit to take home after the event!

The participants, standing, seen from the rear in this photo, listen to his presentation.
Kris Verhellen, CEO of Extensa, discusses the renovation of the Tour & Taxis site.
  
The protagonists, pictured standing, are having a discussion.
Olivier Breda, of Dzerostudio, in the company of His Majesty King Philippe and Rudi Vervoort, Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region.

 

The State Visit ended with a visit to Schengen, an important place in the history of the creation of the European Economic Community, followed by a cruise down the River Moselle, which focused on mobility and which proved a great opportunity to sample the delicious wines of this region.