A Colônia Luxemburguesa

Emile Demuth was a Luxembourgish engineer who joined Belgo Mineira in 1954. Torn apart from his family back home, he shared his experiences and intimate thoughts with his wife, son and mother-in-law in 68 letters.

Paulo Speller was born and raised in João Monlevade as the eldest son of the Luxembourgish engineer Guillaume Prosper Speller. Today, he is a university professor living in Belo Horizonte.

Ildeu Caldeira is a retired Belgo Mineira worker who moved to João Monlevade as a young boy in the 1930s.

Rosa Toussaint moved to João Monlevade with her husband in 1948. The nearly 100-year-old widow has not left Monlevade ever since.

Marie-Rose Steil-Blang lived in João Monlevade from 1951 to 1957. Her husband was a technician at Belgo Mineira. Today, Marie-Rose is living in her hometown Esch-sur-Alzette.

Marc Hayum arrived in Brazil with his parents as a Jewish refugee in 1941 because his father Charles Hayum was hired by Belgo Mineira.

Herbert Forster moved to João Monlevade with his parents in 1951 as a 9-year-old boy. He is currently living in Curitiba with his wife Rosimere.

Rosimere moved to João Monlevade when her father was hired at Belgo Mineira as a retired military officer. She is married to Herbert Forster.

Dona Neli moved to João Monlevade in the 1930s, where she fell in love with the son of a Polish engineer.

Marie-Rose Steil-Blang lived in João Monlevade from 1951 to 1957. Her husband was a technician at Belgo Mineira. Today, Marie-Rose is living in her hometown Esch-sur-Alzette.

Marc André Meyers was born in Brazil as the eldest son of a Luxembourgish engineer. He is the author of "A Dama e o Luxemburguês" and university professor in San Diego.

Sálvio Penna was born in Sabará and has worked at Belgo Mineira, as well as his entire family.

Pedro Meyers was born in João Monlevade and is the younger brother of Marc André Meyers. He is currenty living with his wife Marie-Christiane in Rio de Janeiro.

Marie Christiane Heuwert-Meyers was born in João Monlevade as only daughter of a Luxembourgish engineer and is currently the Honorary Consul of Luxembourg in Rio de Janeiro.

Adrienne is the eldest granddaughter of Albert Scharlé and is currently living in São Paulo.