British Luxembourg Society – The best of Britain here in Luxembourg

One of the goals of the Alumni Network is to help graduates with their growth and development after they leave the university. Through the GradPack and our partners program, our alumni have many diverse opportunities to network and learn. With our new partner the British Luxembourg Society (BLS), they will also be able to become part of an organization that promotes arts and intercultural exchanges.  

Though many think of it as a British society, the BLS was set up predominantly by Luxembourgers back in 1947. In fact, it was founded by several prominent Luxembourg families to encourage continuous friendship between the two countries - Britain and Luxembourg – following World War II.

The Society is mainly famous for its annual Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Lecture, where they have hosted Margaret Thatcher, Neil Kinnock, Chris Patton, and Jean-Claude Juncker among others as speakers. “Sir Winston Churchill came over only one or two years after the war to visit Luxembourg and when he sadly passed away, in recognition of what he did for Europe as a whole, the BLS started hosting lectures in his name,” shares the President of BLS, Darren Robinson. “It would usually be a European theme and became one of the marquee events of the Society.”

Darren Robinson, President of British Luxembourg Society

Uni.lu Alum Christos Floros with LHoFT CEO Nasir Zubairi at the BLS Summer Reception

BLS also runs an education programme teaching English Language, Literature and Art, as well as a series of social and cultural events to appeal to anyone who has an interest in British culture. This includes lectures, trips to Great Britain, gala dinners and other cultural initiatives. One of the other events the Society is famous for is its Summer Reception at the Ambassador's Residence, the latest of which gathered over 200 members in the beautiful grounds of its garden.

Overall, the Society has now more than 500 members of all nationalities and is looking to expand even more. Uni.lu alum Christos Floros, who is a BLS Council Member, shares: “The Society membership body really reflects how international Luxembourg is. It is also very diverse in many other ways. 

For example, in most of the clubs in Luxembourg people are either really young or quite old but BLS has members of all ages and that’s wonderful.” Darren seconds that: “The Society is open to everybody who is interested in either of the topics that we cover through our initiatives – be it science, arts, history, or the language.”- he says.

Another Uni.lu alum Dogukan Amcalar joined BLS because it was a part of the GradPack offer: “It is a fantastic opportunity and a huge benefit for someone who is a fresh graduate to get a network in Luxembourg! Especially if you come from far. I used to attend BLS events occasionally before I joined but once I became a member, I didn’t miss one!”

BLS offers a 50% discount to on the first year's membership to registered alumni (more details here). And the majority of BLS events are free for members.

2022 graduate and BLS member Dogukan Amcalar

The Society has grown rapidly in recent years. What is secret of this success? “One of the enduring characteristics of the Brits is our sense of humour and the cordial relationships we have with people, so I think a lot of people join the Society simply because it's fun!” sums up Darren.