Following the lively story reading at the Aux Feuilles Volantes bookstore on Saturday December 14, Charlotte Boucault gave us an interview.
How was this collection of short stories born?This collection is the culmination of my six years of study in the field of Russian language translation. During my university studies at Inalco Paris, I developed a growing interest in Siberia. I first went on exchange to the city of Krasnoyarsk, which is located in the eastern part of Russia. Then back in France, I chose to attend various seminars dedicated to Siberian cultures and the peoples of the Great North. I immediately fell in love with these courses taught by Dominique Samson Normand de Chambourg, a specialist in the indigenous peoples of (sub)arctic Siberia. Thanks to this teacher-researcher, I was able to define the subject of my final thesis: “ Give to read » the heritage of the Mansi and Khanty storytellers. It was a matter of translating the Forest Tales which brought together certain oral stories passed down from generation to generation by the Mansis and the Khantys. Who are the Mansis and the Khantys? Two communities which live in the western part of Siberia, not far from the Urals, and which populate the banks of the Ob, their sacred river. Hunter-fishermen and reindeer herders, these ethnic groups have long depended on the taiga (the boreal forest) which provided them with everything they needed. Although there are fewer and fewer of them living in an exclusively traditional way, I was able to see during my stay in indigenous lands that the Mansi and Khanty cultures are still very much alive! I can't help but think that this sign brings hope for all of humanity…
How did you come up with the idea for this show?In 2022, my companion, the musician Sylvain Ubéda, and I were welcomed for an artistic residency at the Kontainer d'Angresse. We wanted to create a show that would be an adaptation of the collection of stories that I had translated. We wanted to introduce the Mansi and their culture: a culture that places nature at the heart of its beliefs and its way of life. After a week of residency and thanks to the wonderful support of the Kontainer team, the theatrical reading of stories “In the taiga” was born. According to the audience, our performance allowed us to embark on a real journey to the Mansi. The goal seemed to have been achieved! But soon the idea emerged of being able to offer a representation in a simpler format, which would require less technique. Our wish? Being closer to the public in order to make them travel more easily into their own imagination! That he himself becomes an actor in this show… On the other hand, our world sometimes seems launched into a crazy race. And it becomes difficult for each of us to reconnect with the essentials. For me this essential consists of slowing down, sharing, taking the time to look at and consider what surrounds us. Here is the message that we hope to convey through this lively reading “In the Taiga”… Isn’t there always beauty in simplicity? We have the power to keep our regional cultures, our languages, our know-how and our traditions alive despite the new challenges we face globally. To return to your question about the birth of the collection, I had the chance, following my trip, to meet Emilie Maj, founder of Borealia editions. I completed the internship necessary for the validation of my Master's degree within this beautiful publishing house. Emilie, herself a specialist in the Yakut people of Siberia, immediately welcomed with enthusiasm the idea of a publication resulting from my dissertation work. This is how the book “When the Moon descended on Earth” was born, a compilation of Mansi stories translated by me.
How do you select stories for animated reading?I wanted a read that would appeal to as many people as possible. That children and adults alike can find their way there. This is often the case with stories because, as with many literary works, there are multiple reading levels. The chosen stories feature the reindeer, the bear, the Siberian squirrel, but also the wind, the moon, bread, salt. For the Mansi, animals, stars, natural phenomena or everyday objects are beings gifted with speech, capable of thinking and understanding the scope of their actions. Education is therefore carried out according to the precept: “Observe and think before acting”. This, always with the greatest respect for the mother earth. Among the indigenous people of Siberia who still live in a traditional way, the relationships between man and nature are considered according to the principle of mutual gift. From a more technical point of view, we opted for tales that lend themselves well to visual and sound effects. Engaging the senses allows imaginations to flourish!
We talked about the existing, the present, what about the future? Do you have plans for a new collection?Indeed, I was lucky enough to obtain a subsidy from the region for the creation of a second collection via the system set up by the ALCA (Cultural Agency of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region). This assistance is valuable for authors because it has become quite difficult to make a living exclusively from writing and literary translation in the current context. I am therefore delighted that a second book will soon be published by Borealia Editions. The publishing house has supported the project from the start and is very enthusiastic about the idea of publishing a collection of Khanty tales this time, in its “Oral Traditions” collection. I will therefore dedicate the next few months to writing this new work. Beautiful perspectives are opening up! With the irresistible desire to also feature Khanty stories… And why not, a new animated reading at Feuilles Volantes?
Bonus question: Is there anything additional you would like to address?Yes, I would like to add that I have been lucky throughout my career as a translator, author and storyteller to be well surrounded. If all the projects I carry out have been able to see the light of day, it is also thanks to the support I have received from French ethnologists and researchers, specialists in Mansi folklore in the field, Mansi acquaintances and friends, my editor, my musician companion and local performance venues, such as the Aux Feuilles Volantes bookstore! A lovely story of collaboration…
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