Four Syrians in Luxembourg: Their Most Valuable Personal Belongings

Luxembourg City, May 25, 2025 — Luxembourg, a small yet prosperous nation known for its high quality of life and diverse expat community, has become a haven for many Syrians fleeing conflict and seeking new beginnings. For refugees and migrants, personal belongings often carry profound emotional and cultural significance, serving as tangible links to their past and hopes for the future. Drawing from insights on Syrian refugee experiences and Luxembourg’s cultural landscape, this article explores the stories of four hypothetical Syrians living in Luxembourg and the personal items they cherish most. These stories are informed by general trends observed in refugee narratives, such as those from Refugees Deeply, and Luxembourg’s unique socio-economic context.

1. Amina: A Family Photo Album

Amina, a 34-year-old mother of two from Damascus, arrived in Luxembourg in 2022 after a perilous journey through Turkey and Greece. Settling in Esch-sur-Alzette, she works part-time at a local café while studying French to integrate into Luxembourg’s multilingual workforce. Her most valuable possession is a small, weathered photo album containing pictures of her extended family, many of whom remain in Syria or are scattered across Europe.

“For me, this album is everything,” Amina says. “It has photos of my parents’ wedding, my children’s first steps, and our old home in Damascus before the war.” The album, carried in a waterproof bag during her migration, represents memories of a life disrupted by conflict. According to Refugees Deeply, many Syrians prioritize sentimental items like photos, as they evoke a sense of home and identity. In Luxembourg’s high-cost environment, where a one-bedroom apartment averages €1,700 monthly, Amina’s album is a priceless reminder of her roots, grounding her as she navigates a new life.

2. Khaled: A Handwritten Poetry Notebook

Khaled, a 28-year-old artist from Aleppo, now lives in Luxembourg City, where he contributes to the local art scene through exhibitions at the National History and Art Museum. His most treasured item is a notebook filled with poems he wrote during his teenage years in Syria and continued to update during his asylum journey. “These poems are my heart,” Khaled explains. “They capture my dreams, my pain, and my hope for peace.”

The notebook, bound in worn leather, includes verses about Aleppo’s souks and reflections on displacement. Khaled’s story echoes that of Syrian artist Diala Brisly, who, as noted in Refugees Deeply, left unfinished work behind to focus on new creations in exile. In Luxembourg, where 26% of residents purchased second-hand items in 2022, Khaled values the notebook’s irreplaceable nature over material wealth. He occasionally reads his poetry at local cafés like Konrad, connecting with Luxembourg’s vibrant cultural community.

3. Nour: A Pair of Gold Earrings

Nour, a 42-year-old former teacher from Homs, now works as a translator in Luxembourg’s financial sector, leveraging her fluency in Arabic and French. Her most cherished possession is a pair of gold earrings inherited from her grandmother, which she wore on her wedding day. “These earrings remind me of my grandmother’s strength and our family’s traditions,” Nour says. “I couldn’t leave them behind.”

Gold jewelry, often sold by Syrians facing economic hardship, holds deep sentimental value, as noted by Enab Baladi, which reported Syrians selling valuables to survive. Nour’s decision to keep her earrings reflects her determination to preserve her heritage. In Luxembourg, where the median wealth per adult is among the world’s highest, Nour’s earrings are a modest yet profound link to her past, contrasting with the country’s affluent lifestyle. She wears them at community events, like those at Place d’Armes, to honor her roots.

4. Omar: A Prayer Bead Necklace

Omar, a 50-year-old engineer from Daraa, resettled in Differdange and works as a technician in Luxembourg’s diversifying industrial sector. His most valued item is a set of prayer beads, a gift from his late father, which he uses daily for reflection and prayer. “These beads keep me connected to my faith and my father’s wisdom,” Omar shares. “They’ve been with me through every hardship.”

Prayer beads are among the cherished items Syrians carry during displacement, symbolizing spiritual resilience, as highlighted in Refugees Deeply. In Luxembourg, where 74% of residents associate wealth with freedom and flexibility, Omar finds solace in the beads’ simplicity amid the country’s high-cost living, where monthly expenses for a family of four range from €6,000 to €8,000. He often visits second-hand markets in Luxembourg City, like those at Place d’Armes, but considers the beads his only irreplaceable possession.

The Context of Valuables in Luxembourg

Luxembourg’s wealth, with a GDP per capita of $141,080 in 2024, contrasts sharply with the experiences of Syrian refugees, who often arrive with little but carry items of immense personal value. The country’s high cost of living—47th globally in 2024—poses challenges for newcomers, yet its multicultural environment, with 70% of the workforce comprising cross-border migrants, fosters integration. Social media reflects this diversity, with Instagram posts from @LuxembourgOfficial showcasing expat-friendly events and X posts from @LuxExpats discussing community integration, though specific Syrian perspectives are less visible.

The belongings chosen by Amina, Khaled, Nour, and Omar align with broader patterns among Syrian refugees, who prioritize items like photos, letters, and heirlooms over material wealth. These possessions serve as anchors in Luxembourg, where the cost of living and housing shortages (e.g., €1,397 for a one-bedroom apartment) can feel daunting. For Syrians, these items are not just objects but symbols of resilience, identity, and hope.

Conclusion

For Syrians in Luxembourg, personal belongings carry stories of loss, survival, and adaptation. Amina’s photo album, Khaled’s poetry notebook, Nour’s earrings, and Omar’s prayer beads are more than objects—they are lifelines to their past and foundations for their future. As Luxembourg continues to welcome diverse communities, these stories highlight the universal human need for connection, even in one of the world’s wealthiest nations. Follow @LuxTimes or @LuxembourgOfficial on X and Instagram for updates on expat life and integration in the Grand Duchy.