Octave & Mäertchen

The Octave

The Octave, the country's main religious ceremony, is celebrated in honour of the Virgin Mary. For two weeks, from the 3rd to the 5th Sunday after Easter, thousands of believers from the Greater Region go on pilgrimage to Luxembourg City to visit the statue of the Virgin Mary in the Cathedral “Notre-Dame de Luxembourg”.  The origins of this religious festival date back to the 17th century. At a time when the country was regularly ravaged by epidemics, wars and famine, the Virgin Mary was chosen as the consoler of the afflicted (consolatrix afflictorum). Pilgrims from all over the country and the Greater Region come to Luxembourg City. While the Octave initially lasted for eight days (hence its name), it now takes place over the course of 16 days between Easter and Pentecost, starting on the third Saturday after Easter.

The “Mäertchen”

In honour of the Octave, a market, commonly called "Mäertchen", is organised at Place Guillaume II. Originally, the Mäertchen gave fasting pilgrims, most of whom came from rural areas and rarely travelled to the city, a chance to get some sustenance while shopping in the city right after mass. Although the Mäertchen now has more of a carnival atmosphere with its fairground games and rides, it has by no means lost its charm and appeal. Each year, thousands of visitors flock to the city centre to enjoy the food, games and hawker's stands at this quintessentially Luxembourgish fair.