A tradition deeply rooted in local life
Saturday, October 13, marked the 45th edition of the “Retour des Alpages” festival, a major event in Annecy’s calendar.
For this first educational activity of the semester, a few students explored the city with their professor to learn about local traditions.
To start, they met at a café to talk about the traditional festivals in their countries. Frédéric then introduced them to this local festival, which attracts many visitors from the region and even from abroad.
Next, the group went to the Bonlieu Cultural Center to watch a demonstration of the alphorn, an instrument found in several mountainous countries. The students then had the opportunity to observe various artisans and artists: blacksmiths (metalworkers), weavers (artisans specializing in fabric production), a singer accompanied by her musicians, a baker, a woodturner, and a producer of “bidoyon” (a Savoyard term for freshly pressed apple juice). The students also stopped to look at various local specialties: honey, charcuterie, and diots (Savoie sausages cooked in white wine).
A Wonderful Encounter on the Way Back from the Mountain Pastures
Finally, the group had a surprising encounter with a very friendly Japanese cheesemaker who has been living in the region for several years. The CILFA students were able to practice French as a foreign language with him. He explained to us the process of making a cheese that is very well known in the region: Reblochon.
In the early afternoon, the students went to the parade (which featured folk dance groups and many animals: cows, sheep, goats, donkeys, chickens, geese, and St. Bernard dogs).
The Return from the Mountain Pastures is a tradition that continues in our region: in October, the animals come down from the mountains (the alpine pastures) where they have spent the warmer months. They will return to the mountains in the spring.
Folklore isn’t left out: the parade takes place to the sound of traditional songs and the rhythm of dances from days gone by (in period costumes).
Every year, the CILFA organizes an activity for its students at the heart of this must-see event in the city of Annecy.
To watch some videos of the Return to the Alpine Pastures: http://annecytraditions.free.fr/2/gallery?lang=fr&onglet=19
