Philharmonie Celebrates 20 Years as a Cultural Landmark

The Salle de Concerts Grande-Duchesse Joséphine-Charlotte—better known as the Philharmonie—celebrated its 20th anniversary on Thursday, marking two decades since its striking architectural presence first transformed the Kirchberg skyline in 2005.

Officially inaugurated on 26 June 2005, the Philharmonie has become a cornerstone of Luxembourg’s cultural scene. In 2024 alone, the venue hosted 839 events and welcomed 204,391 attendees, ranging from concerts and workshops to school programs, conferences, and guided tours, according to its latest annual report.

Reflecting Luxembourg’s rich cultural diversity, the Philharmonie’s programming has always aimed to be inclusive. “From the start, no one should be left out,” said former director Matthias Naske on the venue’s fifth anniversary. Fifteen years later, his successor, Stephan Gehmacher, continues to uphold this mission.

Together with its resident ensemble, the Luxembourg Philharmonic, the concert hall represents a major investment in the arts, receiving over €26 million annually from the Ministry of Culture—second only to the Film Fund and well ahead of other cultural institutions.

Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Christian de Portzamparc, the building’s dramatic facade, composed of 823 white columns, has become an icon in its own right. A major expansion project, estimated at more than €12.5 million, is scheduled to be completed by 2027.

At the Philharmonie’s inception, then-Finance Minister Luc Frieden captured its cultural significance: “A person is more than a material being, and a country is more than an economic system. The Philharmonie fills a cultural void in Luxembourg and serves as a powerful artistic voice,” he said, quoting Victor Hugo: “Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.”

To commemorate the milestone, a special exhibition curated by photographer Inês Rebelo de Andrade will showcase historical images of the venue in the Philharmonie’s foyer.