The Museum of the High Ardennes

A new room dedicated to local traditions of protection and care The museum gathers objects, witnesses of life in Haute Ardenne between 1800 and 1950. A renewed scenography highlights these traces of our common past. The new space dedicated to Marcel Jeanpierre as well as to traditional healers, bonesetters, signers, dowsers, and water diviners of Ardenne evokes the forms of care, mutual aid, and adaptation developed in a region long marked by isolation and the harshness of life. In an Ardenne where existence often remained uncertain, the religious, the sacred, and certain traditional practices were experienced as ways to face the hazards. Through prayers, transmitted gestures, and rites, one hoped to promote healing, find water, protect livestock, or obtain better harvests. These knowledge, beliefs, and practices constituted real resources of solidarity, protection, and hope. Inherited from ancient popular traditions, very alive until the middle of the 20th century, these practices continue to be transmitted, more discreetly, and to reinvent themselves in renewed forms. Believe, Protect, Care, Transmettre  Un small guided trip to the heart of discreet practices and popular beliefs A singular knowledge inhabited Marcel Jeanpierre, an Ardennes figure with multiple practices and know-how. The discovery of his personality and the traditions associated with him will constitute the starting point of a journey exploring the links between religious, sacred, popular beliefs, care practices, and forms of mutual aid present in our countryside, yesterday as today, sometimes in more reserved forms. The visit will continue at the church of Wanne, whose statuary and objects of devotion testify to the importance given to patron saints and healers in daily life. A short walk will extend this immersion. Accompanied by an initiation to the use of the rod and the pendulum, it will invite to discover the links that certain popular traditions established between the sacred, nature, feelings, and the forces attributed to the living world. This activity takes place in the program of Journées du Patrimoine in Haute-Ardenne "Chemins du Sacré, sacred paths" proposed on the territory of the municipalities of Gouvy, Lierneux, Stavelot, Stoumont, Trois-Ponts, and Vielsalm CONSULT the complete program Via the following link www.ccstp.be/brochures-documents/ In paper version in our cultural places and on request Do not hesitate to join one of the two circuits proposed this year! What > 2 GUIDED TOURS with DRINK AT THE PUB Schedule > Saturday & Sunday at 10:00 AM (2h) Guides > Donatienne VAN DE WALLE, facilitator • Jean-Philippe LEGRAND, author Where > Museum of Haute Ardenne & village • Wanne 6 • 4980 Trois-Ponts Public > All public • Max 15 pl. Entry fee > Free • Reservation mandatory Organization > Museum of Haute Ardenne • 080 39 87 37 • info@museehauteardenne.be