Question 15976 — commerce and crafts

Summary

Ms. Valérie Boyer draws the attention of the Minister of Culture to the inclusion of the know-how of Provençal santonniers in the UNESCO intangible cultural heritage of humanity. For several years, many French people have been rebelling against those who want to ban Christmas nativity scenes in public spaces. Recently, the Marseille administrative court ruled that the Provençal crèches at Salon town hall, Châteauneuf-les-Martigues, Carry-le-Rouet and Berre l'Étang were to remain there. Concerning the crèches installed in town halls in the 2nd and 3rd arrondissements and the 13th and 14th arrondissements of Marseille, it was decided to annul the decisions of elected officials who refused to dismantle the crèches in question. Called “Santuns” or “little saints” in Provençal, these figures appear after the French Revolution. The population, prohibited from frequenting churches, which had become state property, then felt the need to recreate the Christmas nativity scene. First made from bread crumbs or papier-mâché, the figurines were then made from cooked clay, starting in 1798. Gradually, the technique was refined. We paint them, we dress them. The range of figurines is expanding. In addition to the religious figures, there are village characters and old trades... Unfortunately, almost eight centuries later, a minority which claims to be “free-thinking” seeks to erase all traces of the country's roots, in the name of a certain conception of secularism. On July 11, 2006, France ratified the convention for the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage. In 2018, France has 17 elements listed as intangible cultural heritage, including the Aubusson tapestry, Alençon point lace and even the know-how linked to perfume in Pays-de-Grasse (the cultivation of perfume plants, knowledge of natural raw materials and their transformation, the art of composing perfume). According to UNESCO: “Cultural heritage does not stop at monuments and collections of objects. It also includes traditions or living expressions inherited from ancestors and transmitted to descendants, such as oral traditions, arts of spectacle, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe or the knowledge and know-how necessary for traditional crafts. Although fragile, intangible cultural heritage is an important factor in maintaining cultural diversity in the face of increasing globalization. Having an idea of ​​the intangible cultural heritage of different communities is useful to intercultural dialogue and encourages respect for other ways of life. To celebrate the regional tradition of Provençal nativity scenes, santon fairs take place every year on the Canebière, in Marseille, in Aix-en-Provence, in Aubagne and in many Provençal villages. Every year, the city of Arles hosts the international santonniers fair. In Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, at the museum of figurines and traditions of Provence, is exhibited the most beautiful public collection. These little earth characters belong to the history, to that of many families. From generation to generation, everyone has rewritten their history which, from the 13th century to the present day, associates Provence with legend. For some, the santon is a witness to Christianity. For others, it recounts the resistance of the people of Marseille to the bans on midnight masses during the revolution of 1789. It is appropriate to underline that at this moment in history when the country no longer knows who it is, where some want to make people hate what the French have been and even what they still are. Provençal nativity scenes belong to the identity, culture and history of many French families. The Provençal santonniers perpetuate as best they can this tradition so dear to the hearts of the French. It is part of cultural heritage. Therefore, she would like to know if France could consider asking UNESCO to include the know-how of Provençal santon makers in the intangible cultural heritage of humanity.

Machine translation from French. The official text remains authoritative.

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