The Archaeological, Historical, Literary and Scientific Society of Gers held its meeting on Wednesday November 6, 2024 at 2:30 p.m., at the association's headquarters, 13 place Salluste du Bartas in Auch, under the presidency of Jacques Lapart.
The president welcomed 7 new memberships, gave the list of the few excused ones, then announced two bad news: first the death of an old member, Dominique “Pomi” Moulette; Georges Courtès said a few words about him. And second sad news: an in memoriam was read for our treasurer, Michel Deffes (the text, as well as that of Laurent Marsol, deputy treasurer, also read by the president, will be published in a future Bulletin).
Finally, a word was said about the Caillebotte legacy to the Musée d'Orsay: in the delicate and difficult file of this legacy which allows France to recover a very beautiful set of impressionist works (Cézanne, Manet, Monet Degas. ..), Henry Roujon plays an essential role as Director of Fine Arts. He is connected to Gers through his father, a Vicois who went to Paris to study medicine. Henry Roujon had a successful career at the Ministry of Public Education, member of the cabinet of Jules Ferry, permanent secretary of the Academy of Fine Arts, elected to the French Academy. He doesn't forget the Gers, spends his holidays with his cousins in Lagraulas. In August 1913, Philippe Lauzun called his compatriot for help when Flaran Abbey was sold to an antiques dealer. From Lagraulas, Roujon sent telegrams and letters to several ministers or heads of Fine Arts departments. He obtained the signature by the President of the Republic of the order of classification among the Historic Monuments which saved the abbey. In the summer of 1914, Roujon's death went unnoticed. He left to the Vic town hall an important collection of works of art, some sculptures including a superb Child with the Dolphin by Puech and 23 paintings including a superb impressionist canvas, “Ladies playing in the garden” signed lower right P . FRANC LAMY with the dedication “to my friend Henri Roujon 1890”. All these works are visible at the Vic town hall.
Miscellaneous information:
– After a reminder of the splendid Archaeologists' Day at Monferran-Savès, the interventions and the Messimy and Pierre Dumont prize giving on Saturday October 19, here are some cultural events for the month of November:
Presentation of the 29th Messimy Prize in the presence of Mr. Renaud Gagnière-Messimy, Mrs. David, sub-prefect, chief of staff, representing the Prefect and Mr. Lasporte, mayor of St-Arailles, receiving the prize.
– The upcoming release of two works by JL Donnadieu: a history book on Toussaint Louverture, freed slave, master of Saint-Domingue (C3 éditions) and a detective novel L'ombre de Makandal ( éditions du 81).
– Conference by Dorian Duffourg on the Chiragan villa, as part of the Elusa Captiale Antique program. It will take place in the reception room of the Eauze town hall on Friday November 8 at 8:30 p.m. The event is free.
– The Friends of Vieil Auch are organizing a two-person conference: Samalens-Decker David, hosted by Laurent Mauras and Laurent Marsol, on Thursday, November 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the Pardailhan high school in Auch.
– At the Departmental Archives: Thursday November 7, 4 p.m.: discovery workshop on heritage restoration and Tuesday November 12, 2:30 p.m.: conference by Clara Gonzalez, doctoral student in contemporary history, winner of the Gers department research grant in 2023 , entitled: Monuments to the dead: valorization of archives, transmission of History and recognition of heritage. Free and free events.
– La Floureto is organizing a conference by Henri Calhiol on Hauptmann Jäger, the bête noire of the Gers Resistance, at the Grand Angle cinema in Fleurance, on Saturday November 16, free entry and open to all.
– In Saint-Elix-Theux, on Sunday November 10 at 3 p.m., in the Astarac regional natural park, a slideshow will be commented on the names of the plaques.
– At the Lectoure media library, an exhibition will take place from November 9 to 23 on the theme of Suzanne Noël, a female surgeon and activist. The inauguration takes place on Saturday, November 9 at 10 a.m.
– An evocation of Valencian legends, told by Aymeric Guillot, tour guide, will take place in Valence sur Baïse on Friday November 8 at 7 p.m. in the village hall. The conference is open to all, free and followed by a friendly drink.
– Texts by Lamazouade, Samson, Trempat… will be read by JD Lartigue and JJ Dutaut-Boué on Saturday November 9 at 3:30 p.m. in the Beaumarché felibres room. Again, the event is free and open to all.
– A conference by Anaïs Comet will take place at the town hall of Sainte-Christie on Thursday November 7 at 8 p.m. on the theme of the schools of Grand Auch Cœur de Gascogne; an architecture to (re-)discover.
– finally a painting exhibition in Saint-Clar, in the media library, from November 2 to November 30 by the artist MC Schimmenti.
