Djuna Bernard criticizes Eric Thill’s lack of transparency in the Mudam affair

« The minister behaved very disappointingly, » says Djuna Bernard (Déi Gréng). « Especially in a situation like this, in which such serious allegations are in the room, you could have expected more transparency. » On Wednesday afternoon, the Chamber culture commission dealt with the current Mudam affair in the presence of Minister of Culture Eric Thill (DP).

The director Bettina Steinbrügge, who has headed the Kirchberg Art Museum since 2022, is accused of operating bullying, favoritism and mismanagement. In the past few weeks in particular, the Mudam has been in media criticism several times.

« It was high time that the chamber was finally talking about it – even with those responsible, » emphasizes Bernard in a telephone conversation with the « Luxembourg word ». The new President of the Mudam Board of Directors, Jean-Paul Olinger, was also present at the meeting.

No insight into the complete inventory

According to the President of the Cultural Commission, André Bauler (DP), this was discussed in the event that was carried out in the Mudam between September 2024 and January 2025.

The Ministry of Culture did not want to share which consulting company carried out this study three weeks ago because the company asked not to be exposed in the media. In an interview with the « Radio 100.7 » On Wednesday morning, however, the Minister of Culture called the responsible consulting company: Qualia.

As André Bauler and Djuna Bernard explained, it was emphasized several times during the cultural commission meeting that this study was an inventory and not an audit. For information: According to the « Duden », an inventory is « counting and listing existing stocks », while an audit is defined as a « review ».

However, according to Bernard, one wants to grant the members of the Cultural Commission in the full document of this inventory. You would only receive the conclusions of the analysis. When was not yet clear. There have already been violent discussions in order to at least receive the document with the conclusions of the analysis.

« Wall farming » and vague formulations

The opposition was also asked about gaining insights into the letter that the Demished President of the Mudam Board of Directors, Patrick Majerus sent to the Ministry of Culture. Djuna Bernard could understand that a personal letter like this is not in the Chamber.

But that the minister had blocked in this way with regard to the inventory is not understandable for the MP. In general, she criticized Eric Thill’s « masonry ». In general, a lot was formulated very vague.

Bernard is nevertheless confident that Jean-Paul Olinger and the entire board of directors take care of this inventory and will develop new strategies for the Mudam. In no way she has the feeling that the entire situation is not taken seriously.

In about six months, these procedures are to be presented by the President of the Board of Directors in the Chamber, so that the cultural commission is informed of the progress in the Mudam. It is clear that there are tensions and organizational problems in the management team around Bettina Steinbrügge.

Minister of Culture is behind Bettina Steinbrügge

As André Bauler explains to the « Luxemburger Word », the Minister of Culture also sees improvement in Mudam – both structurally and organizational. However, he could not find a toxic climate in the museum and he would not share the sharpness of the medial reviews.

The communication team of the Ministry of Culture noticed this three weeks ago compared to the « Luxembourg word ». « However, the ministry cannot leave the vehemence and the sharpness of different opinions in the room, » the Ministry of Culture wrote in an email exchange.

Eric Thill also regretted in an interview with the « Radio 100.7 » this Wednesday: « In some places, the Mudam is shown as if you could work smoothly and no longer. » The allegations would still be taken very seriously.

In any case, it is clear that Eric Thill is behind the Mudam and Bettina Steinbrügge. « I trust the team and also the director, » it said in the « Radio 100.7 » interview.