Event description
Liichtmëssdag is one of the most beautiful traditional events you'll discover in Luxembourg. It's also one of the children's favorite traditions. Take the opportunity to feast on delicious crêpes, as February 2 is also Chandeleur Day.
Liichtsmëssdag traditions in Luxembourg
Liichtmëssdag is one of our favorite Luxembourg traditions. It takes place exactly on February 2 every year.
Children bring light to Luxembourg villages
Luxembourg schoolchildren look forward to "Liichtsmëssdag", the eve of Saint Blaise's Day. In anticipation of the big day, they prepare for the event by making lanterns in primary class with the help of their teacher or "Joffer".
Supervised by adults or older children, on the evening of February 2, children stroll the streets of their neighborhood at dusk. Equipped with their colorful "Liichtebengelcher" lanterns, they bring light to residents and shopkeepers alike.
So don't be surprised if you see children wandering the streets with their lanterns. Perhaps they'll ring your doorbell and sing the traditional Saint Blaise song?
Then, once they've completed their tour of the neighborhood, the children gather at a local house to share the huge bags of sweets and money they've collected . But they're also looking forward to a well-earned treat of hot chocolate or pancakes!
So get your treats ready in case a small group of kids comes ringing at your door!
The Liichtsmëssdag tradition in Luxembourg
As the lyrics of the song "Léiwer Härgottsblieschen" attest, children used to beg for bacon and peas. In those days, they carried torches or candles, now replaced by handmade lanterns for safety reasons.
Liichtsmëssdag has its origins in pre-Christian times. Singing the "Léiwer Härgottsblieschen", children prayed to Saint-Blaise to protect the population from disease and provide them with enough food to get through the winter.
Pancakes to celebrate Candlemas in Luxembourg
February 2 is also the Feast of Candlemas, celebrated more widely. The name derives from the word "chandelle", which evokes light.
The origins of Candlemas
As far back as antiquity, the Romans celebrated the god Pan by carrying torches through the darkened streets.
Candlemas is celebrated on February 2, exactly 40 days after Christmas . This celebration is directly inspired by Jewish traditions. These include the presentation of newborn babies 40 days after the day of their birth.
In Christian times, Candlemas became the festival of light. The faithful took home the candles that the priest blessed in church during religious celebrations.
Want to find out about other Luxembourg traditions? Click here to find out more.
The tradition of pancakes at Chandeleur
More popularly and paganly, Chandeleur is a time to enjoy delicious crêpes.
Traditionally, the first pancake is popped for good luck in the coming year. Some people do this while holding a coin in their left hand. This brings prosperity to the family.
The gesture requires a certain dexterity. Practice makes perfect! Who's going to blow the pancakes the highest?
Recipe for homemade pancakes to delight the "Liichter".
To celebrate Chandeleur in a gourmet way, we give you our quick recipe for crêpes. After the Liichten, all the kids will be delighted to eat a few. Just enough to keep them waiting for the distribution of the spoils!
Pancake recipe serves 6:
Beat 6 eggs with 375 grams flour, 0.8 liter milk, 1 pinch salt and 3 tablespoons sugar in a bowl.
Then add 75 grams of melted butter. The dough should be smooth and runny.
Leave the dough to rest for 1 hour.
Then cook the pancakes in a hot frying pan, greased with a little oil (or butter).
For each pancake, pour a ladleful of batter into the pan and spread evenly.
Cook for about 1 minute on each side. The pancake should be golden-brown and come away easily when cooked. Now it's your turn to sauté!
Liichtsmëssdag traditionally marks the start of the Carnival period, which is rich in festive events.
- Start date :
- 02/02/2025
Location
Luxembourg
