Author: Mette Ahlefeldt

17 December 2025: Postlude concert and reception, The Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge at the Philharmonie, Luxembourg

We are delighted to announce that Cambridge is inviting us to A Cambridge Christmas, performed by the Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge, with organist Thomas Trotter, at the Philharmonie Luxembourg on Wednesday, 17 December 2025.

The Postlude follows the main concert, as Cambridge Society will host a post-concert reception in the Grand Foyer, joined by H.E. the British Ambassador, Joanne Olivier, Philharmonie representatives, and members of the Choir — including a short performance by the Gents of St John’s.

The event is open to members of the Oxford Society, the LSE Alumni, and the British-Luxembourg Society, together with their guests.

NB!! Bear in mind that you will need to have booked your tickets for the Philharmonie’s performance before joining this afterlude in the foyer.

What: Musical postlude with the Gents of St John’s and reception
When: Wednesday 17 December 2025, following the concert
Dress Code: smart / festive, not formal.
Price: between €35-40 (to be confirmed)
Registration: Please email: president@cambridgesociety.lu, cc: secretary@cambridgesociety.lu, stating:
1. How many places you would like
2: Confirming that you already have bought concert tickets.
Places for the postlude reception will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Concert Tickets: Concert tickets are already on sale via the Philharmonie website, so do book soon as it is a popular event which sells out fast.

14 December, our annual Oxbridge Christmas Market Visit

This year it is Oxford’s turn to arrange our convivial visit to the Christmas Fair at Gëlle Fra. This is a joyful celebration of lights, gifts, treats, and holiday cheer, and a perfect outing for families, friends, and all who love the Christmas spirit!

As usual, we will meet for a drink/tea/coffee at 16h nearby and then walk to the Christmas fair together around 17h or 17h30.

Date and time: Sunday 14 December, drinks at 16h, visit to the Christmas Market around 17h/17h30.

Venue: drinks venue to be confirmed.

RSVP: It is important that you sign up for the drinks/tea so that we can book the exact number of seats – there are many people in town on this December Sunday.

Sign-up: lidiyacherneva@gmail.com, cc: chair@oxford.lu. Partners and friends are most welcome!

Thursday 4 December 2025: Our Annual Christmas Gala Black-Tie Dinner at Cercle

Dearest Alumni – it’s time for our festive Christmas Gala dinner, so it is time to get the black-tie and the festive dresses at the ready and to start practicing your Christmas carols.

We are honoured that the British Ambassador, H.E. Joanne Olivier, will join our Christmas celebrations as we enjoy a three-course dinner, the Christmas music and – yes, we shall have them – the English Christmas Crackers!!

Sign-up is already in full swing, so do register with chair@oxford.lu, cc events@oxford.lu now to secure a place.

There is a choice between the Classic Menu and the Vegetarian Menu.
The Classic Menu:
Entrée: Risotto, mi-cuit de poisson, espuma
Main: Filet de canard du sud-ouest, jus corsé, pressé de pommes de terre, légumes de saison
Dessert: Dessert Mandarine et chocolat
The Vegetarian Menu:
Entrée: Velouté Dubarry aux châtaignes grillées
Main: Cassolette de légumes à la Tonka
Dessert: Dessert Mandarine et chocolat

See invitation below for further details.

Thursday 6 November 2025: Dinner-Talk with H.E. Ambassador Benno Laggner at the Golf Club Grand Ducal

We are delighted to announce our forthcoming Dinner-Talk with the Swiss Ambassador to Luxembourg, H.E. Benno Laggner, who will be speaking on the topic of: ‘Current security challenges for Europe and Switzerland’s role.’

Venue: Golf Club Grand Ducal, 1, route de Trèves, Senningerberg (just across from the airport). Ample parking at the Club.• 

Programme: 18:30: Apéro followed by dinner and dinner-talk.

Tickets: €110/pp incl. wine. Partners and friends of members are welcome.

• Menu:
– Ceviche de dorade royale à la mangue.
– Suprême de pintade fermière, sauce aux morilles, petits légumes de saison, purée de pommes de terre.
– Vacherin café moka, glace moka maison, meringue.

Vegetarian Option :
– Carpaccio de betterave rouge, crème de chèvre frais, noix torréfiées, roquette.
– Raviole d’artichauts, purée fumée de chou-fleur, beurre de sauge et éclats de noisettes.
– Dôme chocolat praliné, cœur fondant, biscuit noisette, glaçage miroir
Kindly inform of allergies and/or if you need to adapt the menu.

• Sign-up: by 29th October 2025, Email: kindly write to Bob Kieffer on events@oxford.lu, cc: Sam Vinandy-Lau on sam.vinandylau@gmail.com; and Mette Ahlefeldt-Laurvig on chair@oxford.lu.

Payment to OUSL: BCEELULL IBAN LU21 0019 1755 3010 3000, marked ‘Swiss Ambassador’. – And don’t forget to indicate choice of menu.

Dress code: Business Attire.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Thursday 30 Oct 2025: Monthly Oxbridge Drinks

We meet again with alumni from ‘the other place’ for a chat, informal drinks, and, if a bit peckish, also a meal.

Do let Norry (secretary@cambridgesociety.lu) know, – and kindly cc chair@oxford.lu – if you are coming so that enough seats can be reserved.

That said – if you just happen to suddenly have spare time, do come anyway.

Venue – Atmos Bar, 1. floor, 32, Rue de la Poste, 235 Ville-Haute, Luxembourg

Time: 19h onwards.

Gala Autumn Wings Ball: 25 October 2025


OUSL was invited to join the Gala Autumn Wings Ball on 25 October at the Novotel Kirchberg, 18.30.

The charity event supported local and RAF causes and gathers UK veterans, expatriates, diplomats, and service personnel from across Europe. The event also coincided with a Remembrance Service on the Saturday morning at the WW2 graves in Hollerich of RAF and RCAF airman who died defending Luxembourg.The tables at the Gala Dinner & Ball place 10 persons, however individuals attending will be welcome.

Thursday 7 October 2025, Dinner-Talk with Dominic Grieve, former British Attorney General, at Cercle Münster.

The Oxford alumni had a jewel of a dinner-talk with the Rt Hon Dominic Grieve at Cercle Münster. Grieve spoke on “The Role of the Attorney General and the Fate of the Rules-Based International Order.” He didn’t just limit the talk to his time in the role from 2010-2014, but took us through the history of the office from its Norman origins to the present day. Flanked by Their Excellencies Joanne Olivier, British Ambassador, and Jean McDonald, Irish Ambassador, Dominic Grieve spoke with rare integrity and held us spellbound throughout. The talk was followed by a Q&A session around our long table, creating a rare and enriching conversation. We are deeply grateful to Dominic Grieve for his time and insights.

Saturday 4 October 2025: Cambridge kindly invited us to join their day trip to Trier to see the Marcus Aurelius Exhibition: ‘Emperor, Commander, Philosopher’, and the Stadtmuseum

Programme:

10:27-11.21:       Train journey from Lux to Trier.

11:25am:           Walk to Rheinisches Museum, Weimarer Allee 1, Trier (15min)

12:00pm             Rheinisches Museum: Marcus Aurelius Exhibition (90min)

13:40pm:               Walk (15min) via the 4th century Imperial Roman Baths to ‘Weinstube Kesselstatt’, Liebfrauenstraße 10, for lunch and drinks

And if you would like to know more on Marcus Aurelius and governing:

14:30pm:              Walk (15min) to optional tour at Stadtmuseum Simeonstift: ‘What is Good Governance’ (75 min), from Marcus Aurelius to the present day.

16:10 pm:             Walk via Porta Negra to drinks then train back to Luxembourg.