Luxembourg – a country of coconuts?

Luxembourg as a country full of hard-skinned coconuts, who are impossible to get close to may sound like a rather insulting premise for a play performed in the Grand Duchy.

But, dramaturg Marc Limpach, has received only good feedback from Luxembourgers who have seen his satirical monologue, Coconuts.

Penned in English, the play was one of a handful of short plays written around the theme of emigration and performed for a Kasemattentheater production.

The response to Coconuts shows that Luxembourgers can laugh at themselves. And, it is just as well, as the idea is not purely a product of fiction but a comparison that has been made in a real cultural awareness training.

Limpach heard about the training from an American woman he met in a bar. “She said 'at my bank this guy explained we Americans are peaches and you're coconuts',” Limpach recalled. “I thought that was an interesting idea and asked myself whether that was true.”

Limpach explored the theme by writing from the point of view of an American woman, the “peach” in this story, who delivers cultural awareness training herself. 

Cultural differences

Through her voice, he highlights the comical clichés associated with Luxembourgers. For example, that they are hard to get to know but, once you do, they are sweet on the inside.

“Of course I don't believe the coconuts theory,” Limpach said. “On the other hand, the idea behind it is a satire from both sides. It's about Americans and Luxembourgers and their views on each other.”

By the end of the play it is apparent the trainer's negative opinion of Luxembourgers has been influenced by a relationship that ended badly. But, personal bias aside, Coconuts sheds light on why some foreign residents struggle to make friends with Luxembourgers – because cultural differences do exist. 

“Most of the time in our culture we go out with friends. We speak between friends. I think it's quite different in some other countries where there are discussions with people on the table next to you,” Limpach said.

“Maybe people in Luxembourg are just a bit shy.”

Limpach suggests that it is possible for foreign residents to crack the Luxembourgish shell and make friends by making a more focused approach.

He said: “Participate in social life. Go to the theatre, invite yourself to associations, do charity work with Luxembourgers. I think that could be the best way. Because, if you work for a common goal, whether it's the Red Cross or Amnesty, I think that's a very good way of sharing an interest.”

Language

Having studied in Paris, Germany and the UK and most importantly living and working in multi-cultural Luxembourg, Limpach has experienced cultural differences first-hand.

Whether in spite of or because of these experiences, he appears empathetic to issues and challenges concerning the 46 percent of residents who are not Luxembourgish.

He launched, together with writer Claude Frisoni and others, an open letter from the cultural community in favour of foreigner voting rights and he takes a more flexible approach to the learning of the country's three national languages.

“Personally, I think it's generally enough for the English speaking community to learn one national language,” he said, adding: “I think also the Luxembourgish language shouldn't become a fetish kind of thing. It's the way we speak but we speak other languages and that's always been the pride and great advantage of Luxembourg. Of course it’s wonderful if people take the time to learn Luxembourgish. Because a language is always a cultural bridge and if you want to fully participate in social life, speaking Luxembourgish is a substantial advantage.” 

Difference as strength

Cultural differences are not a new subject but they are becoming increasingly topical because of the referendum question concerning foreigner voting rights.

But, unlike those who see cultural differences as a barrier for integration, Limpach welcomes difference and diversity.

“Imagine if we just had Luxembourg coconuts in this country. It wouldn't be much fun,” he joked, adding more seriously: “It (integration) may be a problem for some, but should also be a strength for the country. The truth is there may be certain problems. But, the general view we shouldn't forget is what makes this country really interesting.”

Coconuts is part of the Migrant anthology published by Hydre Éditions, available from most bookstores in Luxembourg. 

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