An Evening at the Luxembourg Embassy in Warsaw

June 30, 2025

On the evening of June 26, 2025, we had the great honour of being hosted by Ambassador Paul Schmit and his wife, Nadine Schmit-Konsbruck, at the Embassy of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in Warsaw. The event was organized to promote our project Radio Luxembourg: The Station that Changed Our World, and we could not have imagined a more meaningful setting or a warmer reception.

The evening took place in the magnificent villa designed by Lucjan Korngold in the mid-1930s, originally built for Jan Wedel’s sister, Maria Żochowska. Tragically, she lost her life during the Warsaw Uprising. The house, rich with history, offered a poignant backdrop to our own reflections on memory, storytelling, and the enduring emotional resonance of Radio Luxembourg across borders.

The guest list brought together an exceptionally diverse and insightful group of people. What struck us most was how many attendees had personal stories to share — memories of nights spent under the covers, tuning into the elusive signal, crafting DIY installations to improve reception, or waking up groggy but fulfilled after a night of listening to frowned upon or elusive music. Some shared how Radio Luxembourg became their motivation to learn English. Others spoke of recording poor-quality broadcasts on tape or pocztówki dźwiękowe (sound postcards), distributing them, and even reprinting the Top 20 lists for their classmates and neighbours.

Time and again, we were reminded of the emotional weight this station still holds for so many -especially across Eastern Europe. It was more than entertainment: it was a lifeline, a rebellion, a dream.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended and shared their voices and memories with us. A special thank you goes to Katarzyna Stańczew, whose unwavering motivation and energy helped make this event a reality. And, of course, to the entire team at the Embassy for their incredible support and kindness.

This evening reaffirmed the urgency and beauty of our project. We carry these stories with us, and we look forward to sharing them with the world