the essential
Photographers who love Pyrenean nature presented their works in the beautiful Chapel of the Pénitents.
The fauna and flora of the Pyrenees were presented on the walls of the Pénitents chapel. During the three days of the Pentecost weekend, Anne-Marie Rantet-Poux, Jean Blanchard, Gilles Galand, Arnaud Gosselin and Grégory Odemer exhibited a selection of their best photos showing the riches of the Pyrenean nature; their works were accompanied by some shots taken by members of the Lannemezan photo club, an association created in 1981 which has thirty-six members.
This demonstration, initiated by the local association “Le Bien commun”, was the second of its kind in the village, after that of last year. After a promising inaugural edition, this year’s edition confirmed expectations, both in terms of the quality of the work presented and the number of visitors; in fact, more than one hundred and fifty people, not necessarily Monléonnais, came to admire the beauties of the Pyrenees. They praised the quality of the photographs as much as the patience demonstrated by their authors in capturing certain scenes that were as ephemeral as they were spectacular or surprising.
Double vote
This year, Philippe Roumiguier, president of the organizing association, set up a double vote, child and adult, to choose the two most beautiful photos in the eyes of the jurors. The young people, up to sixteen years old, designated “Un certain regard” by Gilles Galand which shows a female ibex. This photo was purchased thanks to a financial contribution from the municipality, it will be exhibited at the Monléon school; in addition, the photographer offered the school two books dealing with Pyrenean fauna and flora. The adults chose the Pyrenees ptarmigan by Grégory Odemer. The beautiful bird, acquired with the help of Crédit agricole de Castelnau, will join the MJC.
Happy with this year’s success, the “Le Bien commun” association has decided to perpetuate the event; also, it will take place every year during Pentecost. The organizers plan to enrich it with presentations, or even film screenings, on the theme of the Pyrenees. They also plan to invite schools near Monléon.
In another vein, during the second semester, the association is considering addressing, in the form of films, conferences or debates, major social issues such as palliative care, the end of life or, even, the origins of of Social Security.
