Voices for the Planet - Stop Ecocide Festival

Rollingen (Mersch), July 5, 2025

The biodynamic farm Kass-Haff was transformed into a place of encounter, creation and commitment on the occasion of the Voices for the Planet - Stop Ecocideorganized by CELL (Citizens for Ecological Learning and Living), Jubilate Musica and Kass-Haff, in association with the international Stop Ecocide network.
This festival marks the launch of a process to raise public awareness of the need to recognize ecocide as a crime under Luxembourg law and international - a first step towards a potentially larger campaign to come.

Ecocide: naming and punishing the most serious attacks on living organisms

Ecocide refers to the massive and deliberate destruction of ecosystems.. In a context of climate emergency and biodiversity collapse, the term refers to a crucial legal vacuum. Although destructive actions are now being committed on a massive scale, they remain largely unpunished. By giving this phenomenon a name and a clear legal status, recognition of ecocide would make it possible to hold perpetrators accountable and protect living things in the long term.

A common voice carried by 250 choristers

Highlight of the festival: the Let's Change the Rules participatory concert, featuring more than 250 choristers from Luxembourg and neighbouring countries.. A vibrant performance by the Stop Ecocide network: Choirs for Ecocide Law, under the artistic direction of Nicolas Billaux, brought the day to an emotional close.

A day to raise awareness

Ahead of the concert, the public was invited to take part in artistic, playful and sensory workshops, discover association stands and attend a public conversation on the theme of ecocide, with the participation of expert and citizen voices.
In the enchanting setting of the Kass-Haff biodynamic farm, direct contact with nature, animals and products from the land strengthened the sensitive bond with living things. Many families, children, young and old took part in the day's activities, in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.
A rare opportunity to make visible what is often hidden: our deep dependence on living things, and to create spaces for collective awareness of ecological justice.

Mobilization is just beginning

With Voices for the Planet, CELL and its partners wanted to create a space where emotions, knowledge and collective commitment could converge. The festival forms the basis of a citizens' campaign which, in the coming months, will place the issue of ecocide at the heart of public and political debate in Luxembourg.

"To recognize ecocide is to recognize that nature has rights. And that
their destruction cannot be considered as mere damage
collateral. - CELL

This exploration will continue this autumn with the Poetic Citizens' Assembly "L'arbre qui cache la forêt", organized by CELL on August 29 and 30 at the Jardin du Multilinguisme in Kirchberg.

Two days to relearn how to think about our relationship with living things, to reflect on concrete forms of cohabitation with our plant allies, and to question together - in the city as in the forest - what it means to live in a world shared with other species. Through exchanges between artists, researchers, activists, residents, ecologists and citizens, this assembly will aim to create communities of interest and practice, in a spirit of listening, collective creation and concrete transformation. A further step towards a relational, democratic and inclusive ecology.

Resources :
- Read the article: Why recognize ecocide?
- See the festival program
- Discover the Stop Ecocide International campaign
- Photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1037300688615705&type=3