Maloya : the music and dance of freedom A cultural art with mixed origins The word “Maloya” possibly has its origins in East African or Madagascar. In Creole, Maloya is at the same time a music, a chant and a dance that is part of the culture in Reunion island (French colony in the Indian […]
The scribing tradition in French timber framing The contemporary world of building is dominated by standardization and mechanization. That are transforming builders into mere laborers devoid of any creative thinking. But France has a tradition, the scribing tradition, that is alive and well, although not given sufficient prominence, which allows men and women builders to […]
Compagnonnage, network for on-the-job transmission of knowledge and identities Compagnonnage, a tradition based on skills transmission The compagnonnage movement is a unique way of conveying knowledge and know-how linked to the trades that work with stone, wood, metal, leather, textiles and food. The range of professions covered by the compagnonnage movement varies hugely between the […]
Musical art of horn players, an instrumental technique linked to singing, breath control, vibrato, resonance of place and conviviality The hunting horn is a wind instrument originally used in hunting and later passed into music. The musical art of horn players, an instrumental technique linked to singing, breath control, vibrato, the resonance of the place […]
Craftsmanship of Alençon needle lace-making Alençon needle lace is a beautiful style of Lace that was created only in Northern France. This one-of-a-kind lace was meticulously created entirely by hand. Eventually, textile makers discovered a technique to replicate the appearance of this fine Lace by employing automated machinery. This has resulted in it becoming a […]
Gwoka: music, song, dance and cultural practice representative of Guadeloupean identity A celebration of humanity Guadeloupe is a French colonial island located in the Caribbean sea, where Gwoka holds its roots. This archipelago of the Lesser Antilles consists of 6 inhabited islands. Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Désirade, and Les Saintes (Terre de Haut and Terre […]
The art of dry stone walling, knowledge and techniques The art of dry stone walling is an ancient artisan practice that plays a fundamental role in the prevention of landslides, floods and avalanches. And also in the fight against erosion and desertification of the land, increasing biodiversity and creating ideal conditions for agriculture. These dry […]
The craft techniques and customary practices of cathedral workshops, or Bauhütten, in Europe, know-how, transmission, development of knowledge and innovation. “Bauhütten” are workshop organizations created during the Middle Ages on the spot, on construction sites of cathedrals. Since the art of building became more and more complex, and its decorations turned towards a more elaborate […]