Christos Floros

Tag: Luxembourg City

  • Celebrating the British Luxembourg Society

    Celebrating the British Luxembourg Society

    Strengthening and Building European Connections

    Last week I had the pleasure of attending the British Luxembourg Society Summer Reception at the British Ambassador’s Residence.

    A wonderful event that also serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining cultural and social connections between our nations. 🇱🇺🇬🇧

    Christos Floros with Amela Skenderovic (DP) at the British Luxembourg Society Summer Reception at the British Ambassador's Residence in 2023.
    Christos Floros with Amela Skenderovic and David Pierre Rausch.

    The British Luxembourg Society plays a crucial role in fostering connections between Britain and Luxembourg. It provides a space for individuals from all cultures and countries to come together and celebrate shared values, traditions, and history.

    The Summer Reception was a vibrant gathering of people united by a common interest in maintaining strong ties between our nations. The event served as a reminder that, despite political changes, there are people dedicated to building bridges and keeping our connections alive.

    Christos Floros with Luxembourg City Councillor Robert Philippart (Democratic Party, Renew Europe) at the British Luxembourg Society Summer Reception at the British Ambassador's Residence in 2023.
    Luxembourg City Councillor Robert Philippart with Christos Floros.

    A few words about the British Luxembourg Society

    The British Luxembourg Society has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1947.

    Through the years, it has organised various events, including the prestigious Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Lecture, which has featured renowned speakers including last year former President of the European Commission and former Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker.

    This commitment to cultural exchange and promoting bridges is a testament to the dedication of the Society and its members. I have been so lucky to be serving as a Council Member for the last 2 years.

    I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Darren Robinson, the President of the British Luxembourg Society, and Louise Benjamin, the President of the Society until this term, for their remarkable leadership and vision. Their efforts have been instrumental in driving the Society’s growth and impact.

    I believe we would all like to extend our gratitude to all the attendees of the Summer Reception, whose presence and enthusiasm made the event truly special. Furthermore, we would of course want to acknowledge and thank our sponsors whose support enables the Society to continue its valuable community-building work.

    As we move forward, it is essential to remember the importance of organisations like the British Luxembourg Society in fostering understanding and connection. By expanding our range of activities and embracing individuals from all cultures and countries, the Society is opening doors for a more diverse and inclusive community.

    Together, we continue to celebrate our shared values and build a future that embraces unity and collaboration between Britain and Luxembourg, and contribute to Luxembourg’s rich cultural tapestry.

  • A conversation with Vice-President Marc Angel

    A conversation with Vice-President Marc Angel

    Watch on RTL PLAY

    The newly elected Vice-President of the European Parliament, Marc Angel says he will work hard to restore trust in the institution.

    Marc Angel is an MEP from Luxembourg, a former MP and City Councillor for Luxembourg City. He replaced Eva Kaili as Vice-President of the European Parliament following the 2022 Qatargate scandal.

    In this episode he discusses his career, his new role, and his political vision for Europe, as he vows to work hard to restore trust in the European Parliament and doubles down on his commitment to an empowered European Union.

    Next episode coming February 7 2023.

    Conversations with Christos is a TV series that I created with RTL. I have meaningful conversations with public figures from Luxembourg and Europe to make their work and lives more accessible to you.

    Christos Floros in conversation with European Parliament Vice-President Marc Angel in 2023.
    Christos Floros in conversation with European Parliament Vice-President Marc Angel in 2023.
  • A conversation with Colette Flesch

    A conversation with Colette Flesch

    Watch on RTL PLAY

    Colette Flesch, was the first woman to become mayor of Luxembourg City in 1970. The politician discusses her life and work, and immigration in Luxembourg.

    Colette Flesch is a former member of the Chamber of Deputies, former MEP, and former Olympic athlete.

    In this pilot episode of Conversations with Christos, they discuss her life, marked by World War II, and escaping the Nazi invasion of Luxembourg, and working to build a better ‘brave new world’.

    Next Episode coming January 10 2023.

    Conversations with Christos is a TV series (streaming) that I created with RTL. I have meaningful conversations with public figures from Luxembourg and Europe to make their work and lives more accessible to you.

    Christos Floros, in conversation with Colette Flesch at RTL City (December 2022)

  • Together for Luxembourg

    Together for Luxembourg

    Moien, I’m Christos, I think its time I spoke to you directly.

    I love Luxembourg, our beautiful City, and our European Union, and I want to make sure it works for all of us.

    We are diverse and international.

    Whether you are Luxembourgish with many generations before you, or you grew up here, you have become a citizen, or you are a resident, old or new, Our society is shaped by all of us.

    Our contribution to society matters, our presence is felt throughout this city and country, and is shaping it and our future.

    It’s about time this diversity is represented, so that we can decide our future together.

    You and I can be instigators of change. I believe that, and I need you to believe that too.

    Thank you for following and helping share our message of community.

  • Luxembourg, the city of 30 year olds

    Luxembourg, the city of 30 year olds

    🇬🇧 + 🇫🇷 Did you know? Luxembourg is a very young city!

    More people are 30 year olds than any other age, and more people are between the ages of 23 to 43 than any other age.

    What does that mean? Well, if you’re complaining about the dating pool in Luxembourg as a young profesional, maybe try a better bar, but in terms of representation, it means, we have dropped the ball. It means so far, we are not representing what we are, in our political and social dialogue.

    As a society, we need to look ourselves in the mirror, and accept, that what makes us wonderful, is this diversity, is this young talent coming from accross Europe and the world, it is their energy and their work, and therefore we also need to trust that these voices also belong in our social dialogue.

    He who writes this, know what he’s talking about, having grown up an immigrant in Luxembourg, having acquired, patriotically, my Luxembourgish nationality, during the early days of this health crisis, as I was one of the first volunteers, along with many, many foreign-residents in the first lines, and knowing, that this is my home, this is my country I want to contribute to, and I too, deserve to have a voice, in how we shape its future. And so do you.

    A huge thank you to Jana DeGrott for amplifying this article / post on Instagram, by inviting me to collaborate on its sharing.

    En Francais

    ●Le saviez-vous? Luxembourg est une ville très jeune !

    Plus de personnes ont 30 ans que n’importe quel autre âge, et plus de personnes ont entre 23 et 43 ans que n’importe quel autre âge.

    Qu’est-ce que ça veut dire? Eh bien, si vous vous plaignez du ‘dating pool’s au Luxembourg en tant que jeune professionnel, essayez peut-être un meilleur bar, mais en termes de représentation, cela signifie que nous avons laissé tomber la balle. Cela signifie que jusqu’à présent, nous ne sommes pas représentés tels que nous sommes, dans notre dialogue politique et social.

    En tant que société, nous devons nous regarder dans le miroir et accepter que ce qui nous rend merveilleux, c’est cette diversité, c’est ce jeune talent venant de toute l’Europe et du monde, c’est leur énergie et leur travail, et donc nous aussi avons besoin de croire que ces voix ont aussi leur place dans notre dialogue social.

    Celui qui écrit ceci, sait de quoi il parle, ayant grandi immigré au Luxembourg, ayant acquis, patriotiquement, ma nationalité luxembourgeoise, durant les premiers jours de cette crise sanitaire, car j’étais l’un des premiers volontaires, avec beaucoup, de nombreux résidents étrangers en première ligne, et sachant que c’est chez moi, c’est mon pays, et moi aussi, je mérite d’avoir une voix sur la façon dont nous façonnons son avenir. Et toi aussi.

  • Working together for Kirchberg

    Working together for Kirchberg

    I am happy to announce, that I have been elected to the Council of SILK, the Syndicat d’Intérêts Locaux Kirchberg, a non-profit organisation, working for the benefit of the residents of our beautiful Quartier. I will work, in the interest of all residents, to protect Kirchberg, and in a greater extent, the City of Luxembourg, protect our heritage, our old buildings, our shared past, and also ensure that the city we are building forward, is one that is welcoming, open and human.

    Read the story and my remarks below

    Forest.

    Mr. Bento is my Portuguese grandfather. He was my neighbour for my entire childhood. Back when Kirchberg was still a village. He had flowers and vegetables in his garden, and rabbits in the shed. He taught me to eat sausage with bread, and to drink a little bit of Porto.

    Growing up an immigrant in Luxembourg, you experience life, and family, differently. The spaces you share, the traditions you set up — everything is a little bit different.

    The Portuguese community is one of the most welcoming, most loving and diverse in Luxembourg and my childhood and my life, has been shaped under the influence of Portuguese presence in Luxembourg.

    A lot has changed since the days Mr. Bento used to be my neighbour, more buildings, more people, luxury flats in the place that his garden once stood… 

    This is why, today, I am happy to announce, that yesterday I was elected to the Council of SILK, the Syndicat d’Intérêts Locaux Kirchberg (SILK), a non-profit organisation, working for the benefit of the residents of our beautiful quartier. I will work, in the interest of all residents, to protect Kirchberg, and in a greater extent, the City of Luxembourg, protect our heritage, our old buildings, our shared past, and also ensure that the city we are building forward, is one that is welcoming, open and human, so that other kids, can find their immigrant family and their Mr. Bento.

    My remarks during the latest SILK meeting: (in Luxembourgish and French)

    Merci, à chacun d’entre vous, pour tout le travail que vous avez accompli jusqu’à présent, en tant que SILK. 

    Ech sinn an der rue de Kirchberg opgewuess, an ech sinn an d’Europaschoul gaang. Ech sinn och Architekt, an ech engagéieren mech an der Politik. well mir ëm eise Quartier këmmeren. 

    Ech wëll datt mir eng gutt Zukunft fir eise Quartier garantéieren. Ech verstinn firwat alles ännert, awer Ech wëll hëllefen, déi proposéiert PAPen unzepassen, fir datt mir all zesummen eng gutt Zukunft kënne genéissen.

    Ech sinn Pro Vëlospisten, a besser Mobilitéit, a schützen eis Natur.

    J’ai été très heureux d’entendre parler de certaines des propositions concernant l’école. Je suis heureux d’apprendre que nous avons retardé la destruction de la nature dans l’un des PAP proposés. 

    Cependant, nous devons encore analyser le projet Laangfur et le projet Kuebebierg. Nous devons continuer à nous demander, pour qui construisons-nous ? Que laissons-nous derrière nous ?

    Notre ville est une ville à 70% d’habitants étrangers. Comment pouvons-nous en prendre soin, si la majorité de ses habitants ne se présentent pas à ces réunions, et quel avenir voulons-nous pour notre ville et notre quartier ?

    Encore une fois, merci de m’avoir invité. je suis heureux, après tant d’années, de faire partie de cette communauté, plus activement.