Portraits

Les Compagnons du Devoir et du Tour de France

Students from Les Compagnons du Devoir et du Tour de France (Metz, 2024)

Les Compagnons du Devoir et du Tour de France is a renowned French organization focused on training craftsmen through a tradition of apprenticeship and mobility. The association allows young men and women to learn trades such as carpentry, masonry, leatherwork, and baking while traveling across France and internationally. It promotes values like solidarity and skill-sharing, vital to French cultural heritage. Since 2010, the guild has been included in the UNESCO register of intangible cultural heritage.

During our visit to Metz, we met students from this institute who were mastering diverse crafts, representing the living legacy of France's artisanal history.

For more, visit their website (Les Compagnons du Devoir).

Introduction to Repair Cafés: Fostering Community and Sustainability through Collaborative Repair

Volunteers at the Repair Café Roermond.

Repair Cafés represent a global grassroots movement that marries sustainability with community engagement. These events, like the one held in Roermond, are free and open to everyone, offering a space where individuals can come together to repair broken items. The philosophy behind Repair Cafés is simple yet profound: rather than discarding and replacing, people are encouraged to repair and reuse, thereby reducing waste and promoting environmental stewardship.

At a Repair Café, participants bring in broken items from home—whether it's clothing, furniture, electrical appliances, bicycles, or toys—and work alongside skilled volunteers to fix them. These volunteers, who possess a wide range of repair knowledge and skills, provide guidance and support, transforming what might otherwise be a frustrating experience into an educational and rewarding one. The act of repair becomes a shared endeavor, with visitors learning new skills, gaining confidence in their ability to fix things, and contributing to the collective knowledge of the community.

Even those who arrive with nothing to repair find value in the experience. They can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while observing the repair process, offer help to others, or simply gain inspiration from the books on DIY repair and crafting available at the reading table. The atmosphere at a Repair Café is one of collaboration and creativity, where the focus is not only on fixing items but also on building relationships and fostering a sense of community.

Repair Cafés are more than just places to mend broken objects; they are vibrant hubs of learning, sharing, and sustainability. They challenge the throwaway culture and emphasize the importance of resourcefulness, all while bringing people together in a spirit of cooperation and mutual support. Through these gatherings, Repair Cafés empower individuals to take an active role in reducing waste and preserving the environment, one repair at a time.

Some more volunteers at the Repair Café Roermond.

Ptaha: A Choir of Resilience and Heritage

In the wake of the brutal Russian invasion, a group of courageous women who fled Ukraine found solace and strength in music. Brought together in Roermond by Peter Driessen, these women formed the choir Ptaha, a name that symbolizes their journey and resilience. Ptaha, meaning "bird" in Ukrainian, aptly represents their spirit of freedom and the beauty of their homeland's culture.

Specializing in Ukrainian folk music, Ptaha brings to life the rich, melodic traditions of their country. Their performances are deeply evocative, often accompanied by the hauntingly beautiful sounds of the bandura, a traditional Ukrainian instrument. This combination of vocal and instrumental music not only preserves their cultural heritage but also creates a poignant reminder of the homeland they had to leave behind.

For the members of Ptaha, the choir is more than just a musical ensemble; it is a sanctuary. Amidst the chaos and trauma of displacement, singing together provides a crucial sense of community and emotional relief. The shared act of making music helps them maintain their mental well-being, offering moments of joy and connection during these incredibly challenging times.

Through their performances, Ptaha not only honors the traditions of Ukraine but also embodies the resilience and hope of its people. Their songs tell stories of love, loss, and the enduring spirit of a nation, resonating with audiences and providing a powerful testament to the strength and solidarity of the Ukrainian community.

Museumnacht Maastricht (The Netherlands) #1

"Museumnacht Maastricht" is an annual event held in the city of Maastricht, Netherlands, where museums and cultural institutions open their doors to the public for a night of exploration, entertainment, and celebration. The event typically takes place in the evening and extends into the early hours of the morning, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the city's vibrant cultural scene in a dynamic and immersive way.

Museumnacht Maastricht attracts a diverse audience, including local residents, tourists, students, families, and art enthusiasts of all ages. The event fosters a sense of community and appreciation for the arts, while also showcasing the rich cultural diversity and creativity of Maastricht.

https://museumnachtmaastricht.nl/