Max Bauer: 'What do we want to leave to future generations'?
On August 25, many Gardéens took part in the 150-year-old Onion, Garlic and Black Pudding Fair. All the products of the earth...
It must be said that last year, the festival was cancelled following a last-minute orange alert. But the forecast rain and wind never showed up! This precautionary principle left a bitter taste for some shopkeepers and participants. Quite the opposite of the onion of La Garde, which is famously sweet on the palate! Thus, this bad episode of 2023 is now forgotten. And on August 25, the town of La Garde (and its rock) hosted a more than century-old event dedicated to Provençal flavors and terroir.
GOD'S BLESSINGS
As every year, everything began with the Mass of Saint-Maur in the church of the Nativité of La Garde, in the presence of Stéphane Rambaud, MP for Var, and elected officials including Jean-Louis Masson, president of the Department, and Hélène Bill, mayor of La Garde. They attended the blessing and procession of the bust of Saint-Maur, accompanied by talented Provençal folk dances. On the occasion of this traditional festival which honors Provence, Stéphane Rambaud, MP for the 3rd constituency of Var, said: 'This popular festival delights lovers of local products grown with patience and love by our local farmers. I am happy to represent this beautiful constituency. Long live Provence! Long live Var'. In his teaching, Father Charles reminded the faithful: 'All the products of the earth are blessings from God, and we must have a thought for the farmers who produce them with fervor and offer them to us to make delicious dishes like black pudding'. Also, the Book of Numbers, in chapter 11, specifies the thoughts of the Hebrews: 'We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost, the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic, that is, garlic cloves'. It is worth noting that onion and garlic are natural products that are also powerful ancestral medicines! Antibacterial for the onion. Antibiotic for garlic.
SWEET TASTE OF THE APPLE
On the forecourt of the church of the Nativité, dignitaries and the public witnessed the blessing of the onions by Father Charles. Beforehand, Jean Louis Masson told the story of Saint-Maur: 'In 542, Saint-Maur was passing through La Garde. He was assaulted because he was mistaken for a bandit. An old woman, seeing him starving, gave him bread and onions. Grateful, he blessed them and, since that day, the onions of La Garde have the sweet taste of an apple'! Then, a highly applauded Provençal folk show was performed by La Farigouleto (which means thyme). Finally, a long procession, welcomed with enthusiasm, made its way through the streets of La Garde. During the procession, passers-by asked where they could obtain real onions of La Garde. A more than difficult task, as Max Bauer, president of the Coordination Rurale of Var and Paca, who participated in the procession carrying the bust of Saint-Maur, sadly recalls: 'Unfortunately, the small production is sold very quickly. To date, there are only three producers left who grow their own seed, and the production is less than 5 tons. But the production of this onion, which is part of the history of Saint-Maur, can be replaced by other varieties. But we would be lying to consumers! We are at a turning point in our society where we risk losing our cultures, our values, our heritage, the riches of France, created by the men and women of the agricultural world, at the origin of many festivals and traditions. What do we want to leave to future generations'?
JUST DEMANDS
A matter closely followed by Stéphane Rambaud as a parliamentarian: 'While farmers fight for the recognition of the value of their work and the dignity of their position in society, I questioned the Minister of Agriculture to highlight the justice of these demands. A general movement of discontent in the agricultural world has emerged in Europe. It is vital to relay to the highest level of the State the cry of despair and warning issued by a profession essential to the survival of the Nation. I hope that realistic and rapid solutions will be put forward by the minister so that French agriculture can live free from all obstacles and excessive regulation'.