Brooklyn-based Isabelle Steichen, Lupii co-founder, was one of many Luxembourg success stories in 2022 ©Rachel Papo

Brooklyn-based Isabelle Steichen, Lupii co-founder, was one of many Luxembourg success stories in 2022 ©Rachel Papo

Despite a year marked by war in Ukraine, inflation and energy worries, there were also plenty of measures of solidarity and other cause for celebration. Delano picks 10 stories that were uplifting this year. 

Luxembourg on the international stage

Although the year began on a sad note, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as of now Luxembourg has awarded nearly €100M in financial aid to Ukraine and allocated 15% of its own defence budget to the country, according to the Ukraine-Luxembourg Business Club. But at the local level, so much support was shown to the Ukrainian community, be it through marches, donations, housing arrangements and other initiatives, like a bike drive for refugee children. Journalist writes more on the Riding the Rainbow project

Luxembourg’s international reach and support is indeed wide, and Delano showcased several examples of this in its Luxembourg abroad series. During her sabbatical traveling in southeast Asia, journalist was moved to see how the grand duchy financially backed

also reported on the success of New York City-based Isabelle Steichen’s Lupii business. She recently signed a deal with American multinational chain Whole Foods Market and is also diversifying into pasta. More .

And as the Czech Council of the European Union presidency took place over the last half of the year, there were plenty of causes for celebration. Delano magazine editor-in-chief ’s personal favourite, however, was when the with Bernard-Massard and several heads of mission, where each shared their memories about their own homeland wine traditions.

Cultural highlights

Another way the grand duchy is making its stamp abroad is through culture, and there was plenty to celebrate this year--and not just the many wins of Luxembourg actress

Delano.lu editor-in-chief had a fun discussion with Luxembourg artist Sumo on the intersection between

There was also great news in the Luxembourg literature scene. There were this year at the Frankfurt Book Fair,  as desk editor reports, with subsidies allowing for new translations. 

Another cause for celebration on the literary scene is Café Bovary. Despite a tough last couple of years for the gastronomy sector, the café is thriving, even if it’s the “hardest thing I’ve ever experienced,” according to its owner Lili Fouet. Her unique literary café is more than just a place to grab a cuppa, however--it’s a full community. Read ’s interview

Health gets creative

In October, the Luxembourg health ministry launched a unique campaign which featured “Boobies”, a set of eight chocolates, one of which had an unpleasant surprise, representative of how one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes. Check out Lydia Linna’s coverage on the clever campaign .

Another story didn’t just uplift finance journalist --it literally gave her the chills! She braved an ice bath to personally test whether the Wim Hof method to help with focus and performance was worth it--her thoughts .