In 2007, the Camino de San Michele was designated a Cultural Route by the Council of Europe. This recognition marked a decisive new stage in the development of our project. In November 2007, our association and the Conseil Régional de Basse-Normandie organised the first European Meeting on the Saint Michael's Way in Caen, a meeting that has since been followed up...
A new historic event at Aiguilhe
Given the desire of the partners present at these first meetings to continue the links forged between the major sites dedicated to Saint Michael in Europe, the town of Aiguilhe decided to organise another major event in 2009. It was in the same spirit of sharing that we joined in this initiative. It was a complete success, both in terms of the involvement of the local authorities - the Haute-Loire General Council, the town of Le Puy-en Velay and, of course, the town of Aiguilhe - and the quality of the welcome and the events programmed.
We can only salute the tremendous dynamism of the organisers, who were able to mobilise so many players. It was a rich experience of encounters in their company, and a very promising one for the future.
These meetings began on 16 October with a colloquium on the Archangel Saint Michael, at which a large number of academics came together for a historical review of current research. The colloquium highlighted the need to continue this inter-university collaboration on themes linked to the cult of Saint Michael and the shrines dedicated to him in Europe. The proceedings are already being prepared and we will keep you informed of their publication.
Numerous events
These get-togethers also gave us the chance to discover the local heritage and share festive moments with the locals. Each evening had its share of surprises over convivial meals.
On 16 October, we opened the exhibition Entre Terre et Ciel in the gallery of the Conseil Général de Haute-Loire in the presence of its president Gérard Hoche, Laurent Wauquier mayor of Le Puy-en-Velay, Michel Roussel mayor of Aiguilhe and Nicolas Simonnet, administrator of Mont-Saint-Michel representing the Centre des Monuments nationaux. It was a very important testimonial for us, as we are responsible for the circulation of this exhibition throughout Europe on the paths of Saint Michael. After an initial presentation at Mont-Saint-Michel in 2008 to mark the 1,300-year history of the famous monument, it was exhibited at St Michael's Mount during the summer of 2009 and then at Aiguilhe from 16 October to 31 December 2009. We hope to unveil it very soon at the Sacra di San Michele in 2010.
Of course, the paths were also given pride of place: on Sunday 18 October, a convergence of three steps led us to the rock of Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe, a highly symbolic convergence as it prefigures the work to come to make Aiguilhe a stage on the paths of Saint-Michel. It was in this context that the association and the town signed a stage-town agreement the following day.
A new stage in the networking of Michaels sites
The aim was also to continue bringing together the major sites dedicated to the Archangel in Europe. We were delighted to welcome to Aiguilhe a large delegation from the Sacra di san Michele committee, whose representatives we had met on our trip a few months earlier (see miquelot no. 10), as well as James St Aubyn representing St Michael's Mount. Meeting for a working day on Monday 19 October, we signed an initial declaration committing us to creating a European network of sites dedicated to Saint Michael. The first step will be to draw up a charter and schedule further meetings. This declaration, drawn up in three languages - French, English and Italian - was a highly symbolic moment involving sites representing three European countries. It was an essential step in the creation of this network, especially as we were able to forge other links, notably with Saint-Michel de Cùxa... To be continued!