Éimaischen

The Éimaischen and the Péckvillercher

On Easter Monday, 28 March 2016, the 188th edition of the traditional Éimaischen (Emmäus Day), a traditional folkloric festival, will take place in the old quarter of Luxembourg City (Place du Marché-aux-Poissons and around), as well as in the village of Nospelt.

Etymologically, the Éimaischen recalls the march of Jesus Christ's disciples to Emmäus, the Palestine village near Jerusalem where Christ appeared to two of them before His Resurrection. The origin of the Éimaischen as the potters' market in Luxembourg City dates back at least to the 19th century. For a long time, Easter Monday coincided with the Potters' Guild celebrations.

The first written reference to the Éimaischen dates from 3 April 1827, when it was decided to move the St. Michael's Church Fair to the Marché-aux-Poissons. After being suspended during the First World War, the old tradition of the Éimaischen was revived by the Alstad committee as from 1938. Since 1957, the festival has also been celebrated in Nospelt.

The Éimaischen is best known for its Péckvillercher, a sort of terracotta bird, a typically Luxembourg artefact, which makes a sound that can easily pass for the cry of the cuckoo.

Over the years, the 'Éimaischen' has become a meeting place, not only for potters but also for craftsmen of all kinds, enhanced by the presence of folk groups and opportunities for eating out. On this Easter Monday, the market will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Luxembourg City. A number of folkloric groups is going to entertain the public in the morning on the forecourt of the National Museum of History and Art (Musée national d'histoire et d'art, MNHA). In Nospelt, festivities will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Here too, concerts and entertainment will enliven the atmosphere.