9 photographs of the series "Mer senn an de Gromperen"

Originally from South America, the first potato was planted in Luxembourg approximately three hundred years ago. It has since evolved into a staple food and is an integral part of Luxembourgish cuisine, forming the basis of numerous traditional recipes, such as "Gromperenzalot", "Gromperekichelcher" and "gebootschte Gromperen", etc.

The region of the Luxembourg Ardennes, with its harsh humid climate and slate soil, provides an ideal environment for growing potatoes.

This collection endeavours to place the potato in the spotlight of the photographic act, without forgetting the men who cultivate it. It follows the cycle of the potato, from planting to flowering all the way to maturation and finally the harvest.

In parallel, it follows farmer Jean-Paul Jacobs, a third-generation potato grower in the hills of the Ardennes. It records his steps, and those of his team, accompanying them all throughout 2013. At the end of the summer, upon being asked about his activities, he spontaneously replies: "Mer senn an de Gromperen".

Text: Carlo Blum
Translation by Claire Weyland

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© CDI 2014