a new collection of Books to better know the country between Berry, Poitou and Limousin

Friday, November 15, 2024, a reception was organized in the large room on the first floor of Blanc town hall. Many historians from the region and many presidents and members of local historical associations, mainly from the southern region of the department, came to express their interest in a rather extremely rare event, the birth of a collection of Books which will focus on dealing with the history of the territory around the Val de Creuse and the Val d'Anglin.

It is the Histaval association which is embarking on this project which is both innovative and of certain interest. This group of historians has already published two works, the first published in 2021, People of the Anglin valley, from prehistory to the present day, had great success then in spring 2023 a guide was released, Val de Creuse and Val d'Anglin, nature and heritage which deals with gastronomy, a study of expressions and language, customs, fauna and flora and the Valley of the artists.

Creation of the “Phénomènes” collection

These two books did not have quite the same format or the same pagination, so by launching a real collection the format will be more standardized with color illustrations, it bears the title of “Phenomena”. It will present portraits, historical news stories told in a scientifically documented manner which will bring the history and stories of the country to life. It was Ms. Chatel de Brancion, editorial manager, who presented the project, already well underway with two completed books but above all with several others in progress. The authors of the first two titles were of course present: Jean-Pierre Surrault and Blancois Patrick Grosjean, who presented to the assembly the results of their totally or partially unpublished work. Jean-Pierre Surrault studied (the) Magic and witchcraft between Gartempe and Creuse : trial and account of a resounding affair in 1599 then continued his study in this region until the beginning of the 20^e century. Patrick Grosjean takes a new look at the destiny of Albert Chichery with previously unknown documents in his book entitled Albert Chichery (1888-1944), the fall of a star. A great start for a collection that is just waiting to grow.