Jean-Marc Dijou Great Master of Organization
Specialist of the organization? Definitely. With a phenomenal gift for ubiquity for this great fellow, teacher of sommellerie and wine waiting in the LTH and the specialist of Christmas in Europe as he was present at numerous editions of this event. These attributes made him the perfect choice to organize Christmas in Europe in Diekirch. It is however necessary to underline that 24th edition of Christmas in Europe had again been set in motion by Louis Robert, the former head master of the LTH.
Managing to find a few minutes for an interview was only possible during a lunch at the Cultural center. Between the roulade / purée and the dessert, Jean-Marc Dijou found the time to answer some questions. " Since 2002 to Kuressaare and except for Senigallia in 2003, I was present at every Christmas in Europe to represent the LTH. It is my former head master Louis Robert who had already set a later date, knowing very well that I was well-prepared ! I admit that the organization of Christmas in Europe in Diekirch lay on my shoulders. But I had a beautiful team around me and the staff went through a great deal of trouble to make it a success.
In the end, I am very happy of all the work, which was realized by all the departments: transportation, meals, accommodation, buffets, shuttles etc. About twenty teachers and a hundred pupils were " on the bridge " and did not hold back any effort. In spite of a very very tight budget, but thanks to the various sponsors as well as to the European programme Erasmus, I should manage to balance the accounts.
Now that we have arrived almost at the end of the event, I hear the appreciations of some and others which are all very positive. And I have the impression that everybody is satisfied. In particular the fact that 22 classes from nursery school to older students visited the exhibition was greatly appreciated as well as the sports evening with the volleyball games where we had the possibility to spend time together. I do not hide you that I will be relieved comes Tuesday’s gala evening which will be the closing act.
The opinion of participants
As usual, it was essential to feel the pulse of the different participants, in order to know if they were happy to participate in this edition of Christmas in Europe and ask them if it had been in compliance with their expectations and if they had managed to communicate well with the other young people. All were unanimous in their opinion and agreed to say that this experience had been beneficial on all aspects. Friendships were made, for some even deeper feelings blossomed and all discovered the importance of communication bound to that of the knowledge of foreign languages.
