A message from the President
Dear members and friends,
Our association which, like others, has suffered the effects of the COVID pandemic, has regained its dynamism and is making progress with all its projects, which had been somewhat dormant.
This summer we are organising two concerts in the abbey gardens, on 28th July and 18th August. Our new internet site is operational. Do visit it, as you will find information about our association, the history of the abbey, our Cluniac footpaths (Guyenne-Gascogne and Pays de Serres) and events.
You can also pay your subscriptions online and book and pay for concert tickets via HelloAsso. https://amisabbayesaint-maurin.com/fr
The Federation of European Cluniac Sites: latest news
The application to UNESCO for recognition of Cluniac sites is making progress: the number of sites that have submitted applications has exceeded all expectations (to date, there are 95 candidate sites). The deadline for applications is 30th September. The final dossier, currently in phase two, will be finalised in 2024 for presentation at the beginning of 2025 at the latest. This European application involves 7 countries.
Associations’ projects in Lot-et-Garonne, 2022 – Project Chemins de Cluny en Pays de Serres:
We are happy and proud to have been winners in this competition between projects, thanks to the outstanding work of our vice-president Gabriel Goudezeune. The department will bear a large part of the costs inherent in preparing these new walkers’ footpaths as tourist attractions.
The Cluniac footpath of Guyenne-Gascogne:
In the face of delays and difficulties encountered on some sections of their footpaths, the Federation of European Cluniac Sites has called in an external agency specialising in preparing and publicising large walking trails for tourism. This will help us to standardise all the Cluniac footpaths and improve their visibility and use. The agency will begin work this summer: it will contact all parties involved, and then in early winter several Cluniac footpath conferences will be held in Lyon to finalise the Charter and the trails.
Annual General Meeting:
At our AGM the outgoing members of the management committee were re-elected. Unfortunately, we were not able to fill the place left vacant by Jean-Marc Bocchi, whom we thank for his involvement during his term of office. We hope that some among you will apply to replace him as committee member. The committee elected the new management committee, with the only change being the election of Gabriel Goudezeune as treasurer.
We were delighted to welcome at the AGM key people from the Agen Agglomeration and CDT 47 as well as the mayors of the communes crossed by the Cluniac footpath. The discussions held proved animated and fruitful and we again thank all the representatives who attended.
Subscriptions:
For those who are not up to date with their 2022 subscriptions, remember that you can pay online via our internet site. The amount remains unchanged : 15 € for active members and 30 € for honorary members.
The members of the committee and the management committee join me in wishing you enjoyable holidays, and we hope to meet this summer in Saint-Maurin.
Gérard Deflisque
President
Newsletter Summary:
- President’s message
- Museum & exhibition
- Summer events
- Project winners
- Cluniac chapel: N.D. de Ferrussac, Ferrussac mill
- Sculpted stones found