Bagnols-sur-Cèze: “Traces de vie”, the hand-bound book created on the basis of exchanges at the House of Solidarity Alternatives

It is one of those projects that are born over time, from meetings, and from the ideas that spring from them. The members and volunteers of the Maison des alternatives solidaire are proud to present their book, Traces of lifeafter three years of adventure (read below). Nothing suggested that these texts would one day be united in a work. They have also had other lives, exhibited on panels here and elsewhere.

First step, weave the thread of confidence during workshops

Starting point, the writing workshop, led by Chantal Dubois: “I made the members of the Mas talk [certains ne sont pas à l’aise avec l’écrit]. I asked specific questions, about their origins of life, to become aware of the diversity that makes us up, and about an object of their life. People responded, taking the opportunity to express what was on their hearts. Thus, this lady who confided: “What I am going to say, I want to say it to help other women.” It was about a very difficult story of abuse. I didn’t expect it. The subject was there to trigger speech.” Chantal Dubois took up the challenge of involving members in this workshop without them having to write. “Words to say it, hands to write it… I have faithfully transcribed their testimonye, specifies that which has been invested in the Mas since its creation. The texts are anonymized to promote confidence. Over time, some began to take responsibility for their testimony.”

Among the hundred texts that make up Traces of Life, there are these titles: “My little sister slept on a crate”, “A poor childhood”, “Traying pots and pans”, “Political refugee”, “My father this hero” , “My origins kill, my origins kill” or even “A swarm on the train”.

Bind patiently by hand

“Layout, printing, cover creation, everything was done on site”specifies Bernard Sudres who offered to share his know-how in bookbinding. The idea immediately appealed! Other people then joined the project.
Since spring, twice a month, members have hand-sewn around sixty copies! A colossal job. The binding workshop was led by Valérie Rey and Bernard, “with our personal equipment. We would like to continue these bookbinding workshops, we don’t yet know in what form, it’s up to collective decision”. Sakina, a new member totally enthusiastic about everything that takes place at the Mas, is very happy to have participated in the creation of this book. “I sewed! It was the first time I did bookbinding, I really enjoyed it and it calmed me down. I also liked understanding the history of people.”

“He questions society”

This is a “memory object, accessible and lasting”, “which carries in memory many things, and an outcome”. Traces of life is officially a book, it has an IBSN number, and will be sent to the Bibliothèque nationale de France. “It is a work beyond ourselvesreflects Bernard Sudres.It could also be used for sociological research. These are first-hand accounts.”
“It questions society, history, the traces we leave in society, and in everyone”adds Adrien Gilbert, the facilitator of the structure. This book perfectly symbolizes the quintessence of the Mas. It has a whole history before hatching, “ it is the long period of welcoming elderly people, who come for the first time, then gradually. The Mas are tiny, discreet, fragile things, and a long time, the time of listening, like an oasis. This book is proof of that.”.