Daniel Atz: Documentary Film Sheds Light on Luxembourgish Heritage in Argentina

Documentary Film Sheds Light on Luxembourgish Heritage in Argentina

With his documentary Lëtzebuerger an Argentinien (Luxembourgers in Argentina), Daniel Atz brings the largely forgotten history of Luxembourgish immigrants in South America to the big screen.

Daniel Atz presents the history of Luxembourgish immigrants in Argentina and their descendants.

Daniel Atz presents the history of Luxembourgish immigrants in Argentina and their descendants. Connaissance Films/LuxCitizenship

"Moien! Buenas tardes!"—this is how Daniel Atz greeted the audience at the preview screening of his documentary Lëtzebuerger an Argentinien on Sunday afternoon at Ciné Utopia in Limpertsberg. Atz, who—through his company LuxCitizenship—has already helped thousands of Americans obtain Luxembourgish citizenship, took on the roles of both director and producer for the film. The documentary centers on the history of Luxembourgish immigrants in Argentina and that of their descendants, who are today attempting to reconnect with their roots. Daniel Atz found inspiration in the unique circumstances of the immigrants—primarily those from the 19th century—who left the Grand Duchy to start a new life in Argentina. "Unlike the Luxembourgish immigrants in the USA and Brazil, those who emigrated to Argentina could not retain their identity quite so easily," says Atz.

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In 1856, a large group of people from Switzerland, France, Germany, and also Luxembourg left Europe to begin a new life in Esperanza, Santa Fe. They were hired as laborers, and each family received a plot of land and a house. After several difficult years—marked at times by meager harvests—things slowly began to look up for the families. And yet, the experience was not an easy one: "Before they could begin their lives in Argentina, the immigrants were required to sign a contract that forbade them from continuing to speak Luxembourgish." According to Atz, it was reportedly difficult to preserve their own language and culture.

Yet it is precisely these elements that the descendants of these immigrant families now seek to rediscover. The film tells the story of several such descendants—many of whom were long unaware of their Luxembourgish ancestry—who are now doing everything in their power to re-establish and maintain a connection to their roots. The Asociación Argentina Luxemburguesa brings these very Argentines together from across the country. Many of these descendants have, in this way, already obtained Luxembourgish citizenship—a status that opens up a multitude of new opportunities.

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For some of them, this has meant a new life in the Grand Duchy—such as for the film's co-producer, Astor Schiantarelli, who is himself descended from Luxembourgish immigrants and has now been living here for a year. The documentary, running approximately 52 minutes, is currently the only film ever produced in both Luxembourgish and Spanish. The film was screened as part of European Arthouse Cinema Day, having been selected by Kinepolis Luxembourg. "We are absolutely delighted to have been selected," says Daniel Atz. It remains unclear when the film will be made available to the general public in the Grand Duchy. "The film was originally scheduled to be broadcast on RTL in a version with Luxembourgish subtitles, but a specific date has not yet been set," notes Atz. However, it is slated to be screened at South American film festivals first. It was produced by "Connaissance Films," Daniel Atz's production company.