CFL promotes the Luxembourgish language
Tomas Anton Escobar, Unsplash
On 21 March 2025, the first examples of bilingual navigation on railway platforms were officially unveiled at the modernised Esch-sur-Alzette station (Esch-Uelzecht) - the names of localities are now displayed in French and Luxembourgish. This initiative by the Luxembourg National Railway Company (CFL) aims to strengthen the role of the Luxembourg language in the public space and reinforce the country's cultural identity.
The project involves the renovation of 280 information panels across the entire station network. The pioneering stations are Esch-sur-Alzette and Déifferdeng. According to Yuriko Backes, Minister of Mobility and Public Works, the new format improves passenger orientation and makes the transport infrastructure more accessible, especially for daily commuters and cross-border workers.
Culture Minister Eric Thill, who oversees language issues, emphasised that the measure demonstrates the synergy between supporting multilingualism and strengthening the status of the Luxembourg language: "We are not just decorating signs - we are embedding the language in everyday life."
Henri Werdel, director of infrastructure investment at CFL, specified that the project applies to all stations, including those located in France: Däitsch-Oth (Däitsch-Oth) and Wuelmereng-les-Mines (Wuelmereng). "Updating the signage is not just a cosmetic improvement, but an opportunity to emphasise the country's linguistic and visual identity," he said.
Bilingual navigation will be part of a major modernisation of the stations and will create a unified linguistic space that is understandable to both residents and visitors. By the end of 2026, all CFL stations will be decorated in the new style.
