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The 3 Kings |
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Chandolin |
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| Every year at the beginning of January, the 3 Kings, Gaspar Melchior and Balthasar begin their long journey in one of the highest communes in Europe. |
Upon their arrival, the villagers and the Fifes and Drums of Chandolin welcome them. They all go together to the Kings’ Mass. After laying down their gifts, they present all the villagers with blessed bread.
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Transhumance up and down the Alps |
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| It is mid-June and the cows are going up to the summer alpine pastures of Ponchet. This is the time to savour a raclette whilst listening to accordion music. |
During the summer, the cattle move from Ponchet to the first alpine pasture and then to the second. This is known as “Remuage” and it calls for a festive day at the end of July, the “Inalpe”. The village priest celebrates mass on the Alp and all the fans of the Herens breed of cows share a day out in good humour. In mid-September, the herd with its “Queen” in front returns to the village. It is the “désalpe” and another festival day.
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Ella Maillart |
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| Ella Maillard (1903-1997) is one of the most astonishing travellers of the 20th century. Explorer, photographer, writer and journalist, Ella Maillard is famous for her multiple sporting exploits, her travels and her books. She explored the most remote areas of the planet in extremely difficult conditions. Asia, China, Tibet, … Ella Maillard has been to all of them. However, in 1946, she decided to live for 6 months of the year in Chandolin, from the first to the last snow. |
Since 1998, the commune of Chandolin together with Ella Maillard’s friend wanted to honour the person who was for half a century the most famous host of Chandolin. Ella Maillard liked to “listen to silence”. In 1998, a permanent exhibition was set up in the Ancient Chapel of Chandolin to pay tribute to Ella Maillard. The exhibition retraces her life combining numerous photographs, drawings, press articles, posters and many objects gathered in the course of her travels. The Friends of Ella Maillard Association’s objective is to make her personality and work known to the public. To subscribe to the Association, contact: Association Les Amis d’Ella Maillard, Administration Communale de Chandolin, 3961 Chandolin.
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The “Bourgeoisie” (people originating from the village) and the Rogations |
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| It all started in 1243 when the Lords of the time administered the Great Bourgeoisie of Anniviers now replaced by the communes of Anniviers. There was only one council, which included Bourgeoise and commune. Until 1970, it was a men only society. At that time, the Bourgeoisie represented the community… |
It was then decided to create several Bourgeoisies to serve each part of the valley more efficiently. The pride of each Bourgeoise is its “Maison Bourgeoisiale”. Each of these possesses it’s own cellar, which is only opened on very special occasions like the day of Rogations. On that day, all of the Bourgeois meet to welcome the newcomers who have reached 18 years old. The day starts very early in the morning and finishes according to everyone’s desires. It revives a tradition.
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| MUSEUMS |
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