National Literature Centre

The National Literature Centre (Luxembourgish: Lëtzebuerger Literaturarchiv, French: Centre national de littérature), abbreviated CNL, is the national literary archive of Luxembourg. It is based in the town of Mersch, about 15 kilometers to the north of Luxembourg City. Created as a research library in 1995, the CNL's collections include more than 40,000 volumes, a majority of them written by authors of Luxembourgish descent or residing in Luxembourg, as well as an ever-growing collection of manuscripts, letters and personal items. The library also collects newspaper clippings relating to Luxembourgish literature and literary journals and serials. As one of Luxembourg's legal deposit libraries, it receives copies of nearly all books produced in Luxembourg and actively purchases monographs by Luxembourgish authors printed abroad.

In 1995, the CNL was created as a part of the Luxembourg national archives. The idea was to assemble all documents relating to the literary life in Luxembourg, both contemporary and historical, in a single place and thus to create a focal point for literary researchers. In addition to encouraging and facilitating research, the CNL also promotes contemporary literary output, by organising exhibitions, conferences, reading sessions and various events relating to literature in Luxembourg. Since 2005, the CNL is a fully-fledged independent cultural institute.

The literary center is housed in the Maison Servais, a large 17th century mansion which once belonged to the Luxembourgish politician Emmanuel Servais. The last inhabitant of the mansion, Jeanne Servais, donated the house to the town of Mersch. The premises were then handed over to the State of Luxembourg, who renovated the house and installed the Centre national de littérature in it. The main building now houses five exhibition rooms, the library, a reading room, researchers' and administrative offices and two conference rooms. A newly erected second building houses the literary café, which is used for various literary get-togethers. Both buildings are flanked by a public park.

The CNL's premises are currently undergoing extension. In early 2008, the adjacent building, which is now being renovated, will house a part of the archives' storage and office facilities.

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