Max Bauer: "What do we want to leave to future generations"?
On August 25, many Gardéens took part in the Onion, Garlic and Black Pudding Fair, which has run for 150 years.
It must be said that last year, the festival was cancelled due to a last-minute orange weather alert. But the forecast rain and wind did not show up! This precautionary principle left a bitter taste for some shopkeepers and participants.
Quite the opposite of the La Garde onion, which is famously sweet to the taste buds! So, this bad episode of 2023 is now forgotten.
And, on August 25, the town of La Garde (and its rock) hosted an event more than a century old dedicated to the flavours and terroir of Provence. GOD'S BLESSINGS As every year, everything began with the Saint-Maur mass in the church of the Nativité de La Garde, in the presence of Stéphane Rambaud, MP for Var, and elected officials including Jean-Louis Masson, president of the Département, and Hélène Bill, mayor of La Garde. They attended the blessing and procession of the bust of Saint-Maur, accompanied by talented traditional Provençal folk dances.
On the occasion of this traditional festival which honours Provence, Stéphane Rambaud, MP for the 3rd constituency of Var, said: "This popular festival delights lovers of local products cultivated, 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, the priest Charles reminded the faithful: "All products of the earth are blessings from God and we must think of the farmers who produce them with devotion 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, which cost us nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions and the garlic, that is to say, the cloves of garlic." You should know that onion and garlic are natural products that are also powerful ancestral medicines!
Antibacterial for onion. Antibiotic for garlic.
SWEET APPLE FLAVOUR On the forecourt of the church of the Nativité, dignitaries and the public watched the blessing of the onions by the priest Charles. 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 get real La Garde onions. A more than difficult task as, with regret, Max Bauer, president of the Coordination Rurale of Var and Paca, who took part in the procession carrying the bust of Saint-Maur, points out: "Unfortunately, the small amount of production is sold very quickly. To date, only three producers make their own seeds, and production is under 5 tonnes.
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 wealth 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?"
Beforehand, Jean-Louis Masson told the story of Saint-Maur: "In 542, Saint-Maur was passing through La Garde. He was beaten, having been mistaken for a bandit. An old woman, seeing him starving, gave him some bread and onions. Grateful, he blessed them and, since that day, the onions of La Garde have had the sweet flavour of an apple!"
Photo PRESSE AGENCE.