Field of intervention :Local know-how
Association : Tuhuka
Project :Protecting the stone-cutting trade and promoting fruit-growing expertise
Localisation :Paris, Junas, Alès
Country :France
Supported Group :4 stone-cutter and 2 nurserymen in 2010; 10 stone-cutter in 2009
 
Objective

Protect stone-cutters’ traditional expertise and technical skills on the Marquesas Islands while promoting fruit-growing flair.

Project holder

Hubert Clément, General Manager of Centr’Alès ibis.

Association

Tuhuka is a French association that implements, supports and coordinates initiatives that promote the development and safeguard the art and culture of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. Hubert Clément is the association’s president.

Project

TuhukaStone cutters from the Marquesas Islands were in France in the summer of 2009 to take a course on Des Hommes et des Cailloux (“of men and rocks”) with the Compagnons du Devoir (a trade guild), visit a sculptor’s atelier and tour the Musée du Quai Branly (an anthropology museum) in Paris. The trip ended at the Festival de la Pierre (stone festival) in Junas (southern France) to produce a commemorative sculpture which now stands in that town’s main square.

This first success prompted the Accor Foundation to back the next step, i.e. to bring Marquesas Islands sculptors to France in the summer of 2010 to share time-honoured experience and expertise. The plan will include meeting French Compagnons du Devoir sculptors, and meetings between Marquesas Islands fruit farmers and fruit confectioners in Apt (also in southern France).

This opportunity to share expertise is allowing Marquesas Islands trades-people to promote and enhance traditional techniques on their islands. They have also started working on a seal to certify their cottage-industry production (which is not protected on their islands).

support €7,000 in 2010 and €7,000 in 2009