Colette Mart

EDUCATION

• 1921–1940 Secondary school graduation diploma (section B classique), Lycée Hubert Clément in Esch-sur-Alzette
• 1974–1978: Licence (three-year higher education diploma) in journalism and social communications from the Université Libre de Bruxelles
• 1978–1979: Auditing student at the Institute for European Studies, Université Libre de Bruxelles

CAREER

• 1979–1999: Freelance journalist in Brussels, Heidelberg and Luxembourg. Local politics, culture, reporting.
• 1987–2010: Staff member at Carriere women's magazine. Travel stories, articles on psychology, literary criticism.
• 1999–2015: Editor at the Lëtzebuerger Journal. National and local politics, culture.
• 2003–2020: Editorial writer at the Lëtzebuerger Journal. Pieces supporting human rights and opposing discrimination, sexism, racism, social inequalities, injustices, and poverty.
• 2022–today: Researcher at the University of Luxembourg in the field of history. Research on the image of the Belgian Congo in the 20^th-century Luxembourg press and the repercussions of this image on multiculturality today.

Literary activities

• Chair of the Luxembourg Writers' Association, 2006–2013. Participated in developing an anthology of Luxembourgish literature for secondary schools.
• Publication of five books with poems, short stories and serials: Der Tag am Meer/Verlag Laub. La peau/Éditions Phi. Als Anna weinte/Éditions Phi. Frau im roten Sand/Éditions Carrière. Unterbrochene Melodien/Éditions Carrière.

Community activities

• Founding member and vice chair of the association Femmes Pionnières du Luxembourg (Pioneering Women of Luxembourg), which works to showcase women in society through exhibitions, films, lectures and books.
• President of the Office Social (Social Welfare Office) of the City of Luxembourg since 2024.

Distinctions

• Master's degree (licence) in journalism with honours. Dissertation passed with distinction.
• Nominated for the Grand Prix Européen de la Poésie award in 2010.
• Winner of the Kostis Palamas award for excellence in poetry in Greece in 2011.
• Journalist Award for the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion (2010).

HOBBIES

Literature, travel and walking.