Grand Duke (Possibly) Plans to Visit Montenegro

Photo: CDM.me

Probably sometime earlier this week, Vladimir Radulovic, the new non-resident ambassador of Montenegro to the Grand Duchy, presented his credentials to Grand Duke Henri, Montenegrin media reports. Interesting to note is the last part of the article, which states that a statement of Montenegro's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration says that "[Grand] Duke Henri has accepted the invitation of the President of Montenegro, Filip Vujanović, to visit our country". So maybe a state or official visit in the works?

Stéphanie Visits "Picasso.Mania" and "Lucien Clergue" in Paris

Photo: Les Amis des Musées

On February 2, Les Amis des Musées visited the "Picasso.Mania" exhibition in Paris. Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie, who is the patron of the art-loving organisation, accompanied the group for the visit to the Grand Palais. After viewing the exhibition with hundreds of paintings by Pablo Picasso, David Hockney, Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat and others, Luxembourg's ambassador in France, Paul Dühr, hosted the group for lunch. After luncheon, the group including Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie also visited the exhibition "Lucien Clergue".

More visuals at the cour, more information on the website of Luxembourg's ambassador in France.

Hereditary Prince Alois Receives Four Ambassadors

Photo: Hereditary Prince Alois with José Borges dos Santos Júnior /
 Information und Kommunikation der Regierung, Vaduz

Today, Hereditary Prince Alois received four ambassadors for the presentation of credentials: José Borges dos Santos Júnior from Brazil, Damir Grbović from the Republic of Montenegro, Breifne O'Reilly from Ireland, and Sang-kyu Lee from Korea.

A little more information about the day's events at Volksblatt.

Guillaume and Stéphanie Visit Autism Foundation

Photo: Cour grand-ducale

This morning, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Hereditary Grand Duchess Stéphanie paid a visit to the Centre Fondation Autisme (FAL). The FAL was established in 1996 by a group of concerned parents who had gathered to address the lack of structures and services for people of all ages with autism in the Grand Duchy. The main aim of the Centre Fondation Autisme is to promote and defend the rights of persons with autism in Luxembourg, irrespective of the level of their disability. The couple visited the Munshausen site of the foundation which provides accommodation and short-term stays, a day-care centre and summertime activities, holiday camps and leisure activities, as well as administrative assistance to families. 

No visuals as of yet but we'll make sure to add them if any become available. Two pictures can be found on the Facebook page of the cour, another two at Le Quotidien.

Henri Attends Concert of Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

Photo: Nederlandse ambassade in Luxemburg

Last night, Grand Duke Henri attended a concert of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra at the Philharmonie Luxembourg. On January 1, the Netherlands took over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from the Grand Duchy. The Dutch orchestra announced that they would give a concert in each of the 28 member states of the European Union during the tenure of their country's presidency, which will end on June 30. Fun fact: the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra was founded in 1888, when Luxembourg and Netherlands will still ruled by the same person, King-Grand Duke Willem III.

No pPhotos of the concert yet on the Facebook page of the Dutch embassy in Luxembourg. Also Kkeep yourself busy with new visuals of cutiepie Amalia instead.

Kinnekskanner, the Gift That Keeps On Giving

Photo: RTL / RTL.lu

Kinnekskanner turns out to be the gift that keeps on giving: The documentary about the life and work of the Grand Ducal Family will air on February 14, starting at 6.15pm. RTL now shared pictures of the documentary in addition to the already previously seen trailers. Follow the link to the pictures to also listen to a radio interview with Deborah Ceccacci. The RTL journalist tells that she got the idea for the documentary after she followed the Hereditary Grand Duke and Hereditary Grand Duchess around for national day 2014 and interviewed them.

Prince Louis Gives TV Interview

Photo: RTL

Prince Louis gave a TV interview about his struggles with dyslexia. The interview is part of a report about the forum for learning disorders and dyslexia in general. It can be viewed at RTL, simply skip ahead to the 2:50 minutes mark. The report also contains bits of interview with Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. Also read our translation of the interview Prince Louis gave to Tageblatt a few days ago.

Guillaume Hands Out the Export Award

On Wednesday evening, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume was present to hand out the "Export Award" on behalf of the Chambre de Commerce and the Office du Ducroire of the Grand Duchy (or the Luxembourg Export Credit Agency). The prize, begun in 2011, is given out every two years in recognition of Luxembourg-based SMEs (small- and medium-sized enterprises) that have made noteworthy efforts in the area of internationalization.

The first prize for this event went to Fast Track Diagnostics, located out of Esch, while second prize went to Keller AG Porches from Troisvièrges, and third prize went to Gilles Tooling from Wecker.

Some nice photos of the event, as well as close-ups of the award, at Tageblatt and a little more information at Luxinnovation.

First Look at Kinnekskanner

#Kinnekskanner - one year in the life of the #grandducalfamily. Short Version #grandduc pic.twitter.com/PcpUvOgasU

— Deborah Ceccacci (@debora_ceccacci) February 2, 2016

On February 14, RTL will air the documentary "Kinnekskanner - a year in the life of the Grand Ducal Family" including interviews and behind the curtains footage of their life and work. Have a look at Facebook for an extended version of the trailer above.

Prince Louis Talks Struggle with Dyslexia

Prince Louis talked to Tageblatt about his struggles with dyslexia. He was diagnosed at the age of 10 with the learning disorder. As Louis is one of the members of the family we hear so little about (in their own words), we decided to provide a translation of the interview. The German original is available at Tageblatt.

Photo: Hana Noguchi / Cour grand-ducale

When did you notice that you had problems with reading and writing?

I recall having spelling tests in German. The tasks were rather easy for me, as I had help at home. Then I thought that I wouldn't need help anymore, because I felt certain and did well. When we got our next exams back, however, the whole page had red lines [meaning that there were many mistakes].

How does it feel as a teenager if one struggles with learning while others do well?

You have a big desire for normality, something that won't be fulfilled. If you start to accept your dyslexia and the problems that come with it, the frustration develops into a strong and independent personality. 

Did you face disadvantages in school? Does it explain that you continued your studies in Switzerland? 

I decided to enter the American schooling system, entering the American School of Luxembourg, as the American system has a better understanding of dyslexia. When I went to high school, the Luxembourgish schooling system wasn't very well prepared for students with learning disorders. Today, we understand better but it's still a long way to go until we have reached the same level as in the Anglo-Saxon countries. 

You finished university with multiple degrees. Can you confirm that teenagers with learning disabilities are especially driven and have a strong will to succeed in other areas?

Children with learning disorders have strong wills as they often had to face failings. These failings due to the learning disorders become normal and at some point you lose the fear of failing. It makes you stronger and you develop a strength regarding what you want and you won't give up easily.

How did your parents, Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, handle your problems?

My parents helped me a lot, especially my mother, who made sure my dyslexia was diagnosed. Most people around me didn't know how to help me and many gave up to find out what the problem was. My mother, however, never gave up to look for information, to ask questions and search for explanations. Due to her insistence, I was finally diagnosed with dyslexia.

You are a father yourself. Do you think that you are especially sensitive towards possible learning disorders of your children? And can you help them with their homework?

For me it's easier to understand what my children go through. But it's difficult for me to help them as I still struggle with spelling. Reading aloud, I'm only a little faster than my sons. I can support them morally but not practically. I hope though that my imperfection will help them to understand that perfection isn't necesarry any- and everywhere.