Author: Mette Ahlefeldt

6 May 2026: Prof Alan Bowman: Voices of Roman Britain: ‘Reading the Vindolanda Tablets’ & Dinner

We will be treated to the magic of the story of how Prof Bowman enlisted medical imaging facilities of the Oxford University medical faculty to help in the task of deciphering the tablets – and they succeeded!

Prof. Bowman is a former Camden Professor of Ancient History and Principal of Brasenose College. A leading authority on the Roman world, Bowman is renowned for his pioneering work in the decipherment of the Vindolanda Tablets. Founding Director of Oxford’s Centre for the Study of Ancient Documents, Bowman has published widely on papyri, inscriptions, and the administration of the Roman Empire. 

The lecture takes place in the museum’s auditorium. While the talk has open access, we Oxonians are so fortunate as to be able to offer a group of maximum 25 alumni the chance to join Professor Bowman afterwards at an:  

Exclusive Dinner with Professor Bowman 
at the nearby restaurant ‘De Feierwon’, at 20h.
Apéro, three-course menu with wine at €110/pp
Sign-up with Mette Ahlefeldt-Laurvig and Bob Kieffer

Only few places so do register as soon as possible.

Event theme: This is the first of a miniseries on Ancient history in cooperation between INRA (Institut national de recherches archéologiques). Whereas Oxford leads this, the next will be led by Cambridge and take place 19 June: talk with Professor Martin Millett at the Gallo-Roman Theatre in Dalheim.   

Date: Wednesday 6 May 2026
Time: TALK : 18.30.

DINNER: c. 20h00
Venue for talk: Musee 3 Eecheleen, hosted by the National Museum.
Venue for (optional) Dinner: Restaurant de Feierwon, 6 Rue du Fort Niedergruenewald, 2226 Kirchberg, Luxembourg.

The talk is part of an Oxbridge ‘Miniseries on Ancient History’. While Oxford takes the lead on this talk, also keep an eye out for the 19 June Camsoc-organised talk by Professor Martin Millett. 

Organisers: INRA (organiser), /MNAHA(host)/OUSL(organiser)/University of Luxembourg (co-host) OUSL in cooperation with INRA (Institut national de recherches archéologiques),

20 April 2026, 10am: Guided Tour & Talk of the European Court of Justice (ECJ), followed by Lunch at exclusive ECJ Restaurant, 27th floor, with Judge Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger

You are cordially invited to a visit to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg on Monday, 20 April, at 10:00 a.m –a regular working day, we know, but this is because the ECJ only offers a visitor service at such times.

Please note that we are only allowed a limited group of around 20 participants. Places are on a first come, first served bases, so do not hesitate to sign up.

We will be taken on a guided tour of the ECJ, and enjoy a short talk on the institution including a Q&A session, before gathering for a delicious lunch.

Lunch: Following the tour & talk, we will have the privilege of enjoying lunch in the Judges’ Restaurant of the European Court of Justice. This is kindly arranged by ECJ Judge Dr. Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger, who – unless called away at the last minute – will also do us the honour of joining us for the lunch. (Menu to follow).

The OUSL extends its sincere thanks to Dr. Tichy-Fisslberger for making this possible!
The Judges’ Restaurant is not just an exclusive venue, located on the 27th floor, as it is, it offers a stunning view of the city!

Ticket price for lunch, and choice of lunch menu: to follow shortly
Sign-up: with Mette Ahlefeldt-Laurvig , and cc to Bob Kieffer.

Deadline: We will need to give a list of attendees to the ECJ, so RSVP by 10 April 2026.

ECJ security measures: The tour begins at 10:00 a.m. sharp. Please arrive on time and bring your passport or other ID.

EuGH accessDownload

18 April 2026: Birds and Buffaloes

Birds & Buffaloes at Menster Brill Nature Reserve

This event is still being finalised, but this is the working plan :

Louise Benjamin (Cambridge) and Philip Birget (Oxford) have teamed up to make us a great outdoor day in the Menser Brill Nature Reserve. 

We will meet in the morning and have the chance to observe at close quarters the careful work of monitoring and recording local birdlife including bird ringing. Afterwards we will make our way to the nearby buffalo hide to see whether the herd is in residence which is always a memorable sight.

To round off the morning, Louise Benjamin is kindly inviting us to her nearby home for coffee and croissants will be served nearby.☕🥐

Please note: The main walking trail in the nature reserve is officially closed for repairs, so unfortunately we cannot include the full reserve walk in the programme for the time being. However, the buffalo hide remains accessible from the road, and refreshments are only 10–15 minutes’ walk from the bird-ringing area (or about 2 minutes by car).

More info to follow

24 March: New Members Welcome Drink at Atmos Bar & Restaurant in mid-town

We follow up on last year’s success of introducing a New Members’ Drink. We meet at the 1st. floor of Atmos Bar, to enjoy a glass of wine and some amuses bouches. This convivial setting will be ideal for old and new members to mingle and to get to know each other. New Members go for free, while we ‘Older’ members have to pay a small payment of €35 to OUSL to join the fun.

Do come for this fun event which is totally relaxed and convivial.

For more info, see the invitation below:

2026.03.24 – New Members Welcome Drinks – Invitation, SVL MADownload

12 March 2026: come to ‘La Réserve’ and have a great time mingling at the Oxbridge Drinks!

We will meet again for our monthly drink with ‘the other place’. These evenings are totally informal and a great way to enjoy a chat over a drink – or even with a small meal on the side.

Date: Thursday 12 March at 19h.

Venue: La Reserve., 23, Avenue Pasteur, 2311 Limpertsberg, Luxembourg.

Sign-Up: Kindly register with Norry Welch with cc to Mette Ahlefeldt-Laurvig.

3 March 2026, 18h30: Ambassador Joanne Olivier will open a talk on the life of Lord Baden-Powel

We were invited to a talk (in French) on Lord Baden-Powel organised by BLS, Conférence St Yves and the Scouts movement. The Introduction will be given by H.E. Madame Joanne Olivier, Ambassador of the United Kingdom. A panel of speakers reflected on Baden-Powell’s educational model based on service:

​”The DNA of Scouting with Robert and Olav Baden-Powell” by Philippe Maxence, author of Baden-Powell (Perrin, 2016) and Olav Baden-Powell (Artège, 2020).

​”Baden-Powell and Luxembourg: Legacy and Future” by Assist. Prof.
Jean-Marie Weber, member of the “Archives & Recherche” group of the LGS.

​NB: Kindly note that conference will be in French

Date and Time: Tuesday, 3 March, 2026 at 18h30.

Venue: Room CL-BSC BS 0.03, Limpertsberg Campus, University of
Luxembourg.

Sign-up: Please contact chair@oxford.lu and if close to the date, write directly to Dr. Jean-Marie Weber on jean-marie.weber@uni.lu.

Places are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Thursday 26 February 2026, at 17.15- 20h: Prime Minister Luc Frieden and guests in Panel talk.

We were fortunate to have been allocated some tickets by Cambridge for a panel discussion between Prime Minister Luc Frieden, H. E. Joanne Olivier, British Ambassador to Luxembourg and Lord Smith of Finsbury, Chancellor of the University of Cambridge.

Event: Camsoc-arranged Conference on the topic of
‘The Future of Education in the Age of AI’
with Prime Minister Lux Frieden, HE Ambassador Joanne Olivier, and Chancellor of the university of Cambridge,Lord Smith of Finsbury. Camsoc writes:  Our distinguished guests will share their views during a panel discussion moderated by Mithu Storoni. Education remains on the forefront of government policy and societal advancement.

The discussion was introduced by Emel Tulun, Senior Legal Advisor, Corporate and M&A at A&O Shearman and Justine Yansenne, Associate, Corporate and M&A at A&O Shearman, both Cantabrians.

Then followed a lively and thoughtful conversation with the panelists, H.E. Ambassador Joanne Oliver, Lord Smith of Finsbury and Prime Minister Lux Frieden. By the time this AI conversation was terminated there was still a large show of hands from the audience who really engaged with the subject.

The event concluded with a cocktail kindly sponsored by A&O Shearman.

Venue: A&O Shearman, 5 Avenue John F. Kennedym 1855, Kirchberg, Luxembourg.
 

Saturday 21 February 2026, 13h was Rugby time at Stade Josy Barthel – and Oxbridge won!

The RTL wrote:

After an early barrage of tries, RCL found themselves 21-0 down to the visitors. However, once the initial storm had passed, they steadied the ship. Spearheaded by their fly-half Eamon Reily, they began to gain territory and momentum, eventually opening their account through a well-worked try by Federico Inciarte.

Unfortunately, the scrum and some individual errors were RCL’s downfall in the first half which meant Oxbridge were able to win the ball back on numerous occasions and ultimately extend their lead with a couple more tries. 31-7 at the half time.

The second half started in a more balanced fashion with RCL attacking deep in opposition territory. They finally scored a well deserved try after a sustained period of pressure. Winger Dorian Terrou pounced on a stray pass and kicked the ball deep, managing to regather before offloading to Inciarte for his second try of the match. 14-31.

Antoine Alric’s men were a different side in the second half, both in attack and defence. In possession they were structured and driven, carrying with a purpose that had been absent before the break. After sustained pressure deep in the Oxbridge half, Denis Logelin hit a sharp line close to the ruck and powered over from close range.

After the game head coach Alric was quick to highlight the positive attitude his players had after falling behind early on. “Overall the combativity after conceding five tries in the first half. It shows good spirit. The scoreboard doesn’t count and I’m very happy.”

The boys in blue and white were left to rue their slow start as the game finished 31-21 in favour of the Oxbridge selection. There were plenty of areas to improve upon, but it was nonetheless a positive first outing after the long winter break.

The Rugby Club of Luxembourg were invited the Oxbridge Alumni Rugby Team to Luxembourg, and they arranged a friendly match on Saturday 21 February at Stade Josy Barthel at 13h.
Click on Rugby Club Luxembourg for info and contact.