Dear swiss friend,
If your LCD has 44780 or compatible controller so initialize the follwing way.
1- Power up, wait 15ms.
2- Send 0x30 wait 10ms.
3- Send 0x30 wait 5ms.
4- Send 0x30 wait 1ms.
5- Send your config data, i.e. 8data lines or 4, etc.
6- Send code to turn ON the LCD.
7- Send code to clear LCD 0x01.
then start sending your data.

You have to build your own code for rest of the phase, or read tutorial.
I have given the above info. because it is not covered in the tutorial at this site, and I learned it from Steve.
If you can wait for to get answer from the forum, you can also read the tutorial.

Goodluck

Rauf