LUGA: art amidst flowers in the Pétrusse Valley

Under the trees of the Pétrusse valley, the landscape has been transformed: since May, gardens have sprung up and sounds echo in a forgotten tunnel. Nature seems to be telling a new story through LUGA, the Luxembourg Urban Garden.

“The LUGA is an open-air exhibition,” said Ann Muller, project coordinator. “With my team, we’ve set up urban gardens, as well as landscape and artistic installations.”

These urban installations can be found in Ettelbruck and Luxembourg City. “We’ve taken over several sites. In the capital, the route covers eleven kilometres. The gardens have been laid out in the city’s green lung. This green lung plays a vital role: when it’s hot, a current of fresh air flows more easily through these green spaces, making a big difference compared to concrete.”

The Edouard André municipal park, for example, hosts a number of artworks. “LUGA contains sixteen themes, ranging from heritage and agriculture to ecology and tourism. Our aim is to include them all in one ephemeral exhibition,” Muller said.

The Pétrusse valley and biodiversity

The Pétrusse valley, in particular, is a showcase for biodiversity. “The renaturation of the Pétrusse was a decisive factor in launching the project,” explained Muller, who describes LUGA as a “living laboratory”.

The installations invite visitors to reflect on pressing issues: What are the climate challenges we face? This concerns not only global warming but also ecology, biodiversity and energy in a broader sense. And, above all, how will the cities of tomorrow respond? “Through LUGA, the role of green spaces is being questioned,” Muller said.

The event, running until 18 October, is also intended as a gathering place. “It’s about creating living spaces where families can spend quality time in the heart of nature. They can recharge their batteries and open their eyes to the natural world around them,” she said.

“We will inevitably have to adapt to the challenges of climate change,” Muller added. “But this exhibition shows that change need not be frightening.”

Giving a voice to young artists

Countless developments have taken place in the Pétrusse valley. “The gardens have been created by landscape architects from major firms, but also by artists, who bring a more specific vision to the LUGA themes. Of course, we’re giving a voice to young designers as well. We wanted to include different perspectives,” Muller said.

Near the information point, ten green spaces created by young artists embellish the site and highlight themes such as bees and garden huts.

“I’d like every visitor to realise what a green jewel we have in the heart of the capital,” Muller said. “I left Luxembourg City in the late 1970s and returned in 2021. Working on LUGA, I fell in love with it all over again.”

Spectators can discover a variety of artworks. “The valley can be seen in a whole new light,” Muller said. “Take, for example, A Painting for Insects. This gigantic yellow canvas reveals insects often unnoticed at first glance. The yellow attracts them, and as they climb onto it, the painting transforms into a large living drawing.”

This gigantic yellow canvas makes insects visible that we don’t notice at first glance. © Photo credit: Mathilde Brizion

Slow tourism

Muller described LUGA as a “slow tourism event”. “Benches have been set up throughout the route to enjoy nature, and they’re very popular. Thanks to the exhibition, we can rethink the natural vegetation in the valley, something that has been forgotten.”

She highlighted the creation of South African architect Leon Kluge, who worked with plants that grow along roadsides. “His organic garden along Avenue Marie-Thérèse reminds us that the most spectacular things are often the small ones, not necessarily the grand. It celebrates the incredible nature around us and the respect we owe it.”

“We’re working with the city to determine which gardens can remain permanently,” Muller added. “Our whole project follows an anti-waste logic: we print flyers sparingly; gardens are created without concrete or plastic – unless recycled; only certified wood is used; and invasive plants are not welcome.”

Halfway through the exhibition, Muller and her team are already planning the deconstruction of LUGA. “We’re thinking about recycling materials and organising a plant exchange, so plants can be replanted elsewhere.”

An immersion in sound

Alongside the gardens, LUGA features another hidden gem: the Aquatunnel. Built in the late 1950s to channel water between Gasperich and Beggen, it was enlarged and used as a Cold War shelter, Muller explained. “Our idea was to bring this historic site to life without distorting it. To achieve this, we collaborated with Mudam.”

The Aquatunnel is now open to the public. Walkers can explore the 850-metre tunnel on guided tours, accompanied by a sound creation from Scottish artist Susan Philipsz. “She uses the themes of water and mermaids to create a fully immersive experience. Mermaids both bewitch sailors in mythology and sound alarms in times of danger,” Muller said.

The Aquatunnel has now opened its doors to the public. © Photo credit: Mathilde Brizion

Visitors are transported into a mythical, almost sacred world. “We wanted to strip the tunnel down to show it in its raw state – and we succeeded. To date, 4,000 visitors have toured the Aquatunnel,” she continued.

Overall, LUGA has met with great enthusiasm, garnering more than 2.5 million views on social media.

Plants live with the seasons

Muller noted that the sentiment evolves over time. “I spend a lot of time in the field, looking for improvements. As I walk around, I see happy faces. Some passers-by tell me a kind of magic seems to take hold of the gardens.”

“I invite everyone to return to see the gardens multiple times. They change with the seasons,” she said. “At the start, visitors often asked where the flowers were, they expected cacti, palms and exotic plants. Now they understand that these landscaped gardens grow in harmony with our local climate.”

“In May, plants barely grow, and suddenly they burst into life. I find this strength, which explodes at times, fascinating. Meanwhile, other flowers wilt. Nature comes alive, and we witness it. It’s a gift,” Muller concluded.

(This article was first published on Virgule. Machine translated, with editing and adaptation by Lucrezia Reale.)