the essential
An invitation launched by the association “les amis de la Mané” to join the village of Andiran on Saturday, November 16 around a festive program.
A reunion which could bring together the approximately three hundred children then from the four corners of Albret contacted by the associative team. Everyone has responded over the years to participate in the adventure of choral singing. Around Father Raymond de Smedt, founder of the Little Singers of Andiran, these kids carried the song and the coat of arms of this small rural village of Albret to several continents: Brazil, Thailand, the United States… without count the concerts all over France.
Everyone has had lasting memories of these tours. For decades, the abbot, from rehearsals to concerts, recruited in order to perpetuate the management. Died in November 2014, the elders of Mané have never forgotten the man who allowed them to experience a superb adventure nor the spirit of camaraderie which brought them all together and still brings them together today.
On Saturday, visitors will be able to discover fifty years of the life of the manecanterie from 1958 to 2007. Photos, press articles, diplomas, medals, prizes received during singing tours, outfits and albes, rehearsal notebooks and the list of 319 singers, some of whom had never left their village before. In addition to today’s visitor, a family visit with several generations to allow us to retrace the steps of a father, an uncle, a friend… For this reunion the president of the association Rémi Soulhol and his team of volunteers invite you to participate in this day according to your availability.
The program
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: stroll along the paths of our childhood for former little singers and their families; 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: general meeting of the association in the multipurpose room; 12:30 p.m.: Spanish inn; 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: museum open to the public, free entry; 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: concert by the Ténaréza men’s choir; 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Beaujolais tasting (limited places); 8:30 p.m.: barbecue meal open to all (23 euros all inclusive) by reservation at 06 76 36 51 44.
