INTERVIEW WITH FREDERIC HUMBEL, FORMER DIRECTOR OF MINETT PARK

Minett Park: Frédéric, 14 years at the Fond-de-Gras, how was it?

Frédéric: Exciting. The site has significantly developed during this period. When I started, the representative from the Ministry of Culture gave me two files: one for administrative tasks and the other for group reservations and guides. It took me some time to understand the functioning with the two railway associations and the two municipalities. Over these 14 years, my work was very diverse: administrative tasks, visitor reception, event organization, and a lot of text writing.

Minett Park: What was the most memorable moment?

Frédéric: Without a doubt, the death of Patrick Reinert. As the long-time president of the mining train, he passed away a few weeks before the start of a season. It was a difficult period, especially for the “Minièresbunn,” but the association members faced this loss and continued, even more united. Patrick would be very proud of them. On a happier note, I enjoyed every group of visitors. Receiving an email or a phone call a few days after the visit to thank the volunteers and guides is a real reward for all our work.

Minett Park: Do you have an anecdote to share with us about a moment when you had a good laugh?

Frédéric: I also conducted many guided tours. One day, I accompanied a group through Fond-de-Gras. Everything went very well, but at the end of the tour, a man came up to me and said, “Well… coal mining was tough!” Years later, I still wonder if I was particularly bad that day or if he just didn’t understand anything.

Minett Park: How do you see the future of Minett Park, what are the opportunities and challenges?

I see a lot of opportunities and few challenges.

We have completed many projects, events, etc. But there are still many possibilities for development. That’s what makes working at Minett Park interesting: the potential. The current team is young and motivated, and I have no worries, that the site will continue to expand.

Furthermore, industrial heritage is increasingly recognized as an important cultural element of our country. After the closure of mines and blast furnaces, few saw any interest in preserving and showcasing industrial remains. Today, the Ministries of Culture and Tourism are both investing a lot in our association and in projects like the National Center for Industrial Culture (IK-CNCI), the former slate quarry in Martelange, or the Minett Tour.

The only potential difficulty is volunteering. Indeed, the members of the two railway associations not only dedicate their time but have also acquired a tremendous amount of knowledge and shoulder many responsibilities. Preparing, maintaining, and operating a train is not something that can be improvised. Technical skills are required, knowledge of railway regulations, and passing on this know-how to future generations to keep the activity going. We are currently fortunate to have two exceptional teams, but they will need support in the future.

Minett Park: You mentioned the young and dynamic team. Recently, your successor has been announced. What are the three pieces of advice you could give to Robyn [Wehles, the new director]?

Robyn knows Fond-de-Gras almost as well as I do, considering how long she has been working there. The best advice I can give her is to listen. We have many partners at Minett Park: volunteers, the government, municipalities, guides, and many others we collaborate with on a daily basis. Sometimes, opinions differ, and it’s our mission to find an agreement. Diplomacy is important.

I am happy to hand over the reins to her. After 14 years, a fresh start is refreshing. A younger woman brings a slightly different approach, although we have always had the same overall vision. I am not worried; I know she is up to the challenge.

Minett Park: Are you leaving with a smile or with tears?

“People who cry and people who laugh”: I am certainly a bit sad, but I am looking forward to coming back to fully enjoy the events or the beautiful terrace of “Giedel.” I am also very motivated for my new position at Fonds Belval, and that makes the departure easier.

Minett Park: At Fonds Belval, are you allowed to smoke a pipe?

Probably not, but at lunchtime, I will sit under the blast furnace and make it smoke again (a little).

Minett Park: Is there anything else you would like to say?

I would like to thank all the people I have worked with over the past 14 years. It’s true that everyone talks about my departure as if it were the end of an era. It’s true that I was motivated and came with ideas, but without the unwavering support of the ministries, municipalities, volunteers, guides, and my team, nothing would have been possible. It was a real privilege to have been able to work here.

Minett Park: Thank you, Frédéric, for your work and passion. It was a pleasure to work with you.