Mobile Givebox

Done! Yesterday, we set down our backbacks (and caravans and trucks and trailors and cars) and set up at our third stop of the tour, Lasalle, in a pretty park in the middle of the town. The sun was valiant, the wind not always reasonable, and the humidity factor non-existant. For this pitstop, we were lucky enough to have Severin, from Eco-bazar, accommodate us. It was a hugely busy day with a full program starting from 2pm with a ‘free market’. Our mobile Givebox, symbol of free exchange and giving, sat proudly at the entrance of the event, draped with clothing, its washing machine containers and draws bursting with everything from VHS tapes (yes, they still exist) to phone chargers and jewelery.

“Flowering boots” workshop

The free market installed and attracing a crowd, the rest of the program took place, including a flowering boots workshop, an acrobatic performance with a giant hoop, film screenings and concerts… a fully-packed program, even consisting of surprise acts and people who we’ve met and joined our team along the way. Over the course of the day, around 300 people passed through to join in the merriment.

Tonight and Sunday, we’ll be at Sainte Croix Vallée Française, at Mic Mac (a cool-looking hall at the bord of a river). We’re looking forward to seeing you there – we’ll be there with bells on. And perhaps a costume or two.

Manu and his hoop

Short film screening

Photos: Nadja Buelow

Yesterday marked the first official day of Le Bazar Roulant! We started the tour in Prés Saint Jean, Alès, and worked with RAIA (Rencontre et Amitié d’Ici et d’Ailleurs) to transform a residential car park into a colourful display of tents, caravans, stages, performances, workshops… During the set up, curious kids on bicycles rode up and asked questions, and adults too were enthusiastic about the event.

Throughout the course of the day, around 350 people passed through the festival. It started at 4pm with different workshops and activities for children. For those with lots of energy, there was an acrobatics workshop, teaching kids how to cartwheel, somersault and juggle (with rice-filled balloons they made themselves). For others, there was a balloon animal workshop, a mask painting activity, paper beads lesson and the presentation of CuiCuis (small, hand-made birds) by Madam’Oiselle.

At the same time, the free market gave parents an opportunity to swap their wares, get rid of pre-loved items, and take things they needed. We also had a crêpe and a pizza caravan (aside from the bar, of course) to satiate small appetites.

Following the workshops, there was an “official unofficial” opening of the Giftbox by “elected members” Jean-François and Véronique, acrobatic performances by Manu and Alain (who emerged from the Givebox, to the delight of watching children), and a one-woman show with a clarinet accompanist.

Givebox

In the afternoon, we left the givebox in the RAIA for the community to use after the event, and started the evening programme with a Soup Kitchen Dinner Recital and an open mike session, with local musicians taking the stage.

When the sun set, we started the short film program, which treated the theme of rebirth and recycling, followed by a fire dancing performance.

Moviemiento Film Screeneing

The day closed with a concert by Sweedish-French band Golden Parapluie, two members of which we worked with during Le Rêve Roulant three years ago, and so a perfect way to end the first event.

Overall it was a beautiful day (the rain cleared at around noon and made way for warm, sunny skies). There was enormous interest from the community, from adults and children alike, and we feel excited and privileged to have worked with the RAIA to bring a cultural and ecological program to Prés Saint Jean.

See you on the 9th in Lasalle!

When we think of ‘upcycling’, we normally think of objects. But the principle of upcycling – that is, to reduce waste and make full use of things around us – also applies to food and perishables.

It is common practice (yet widely unknown amongst consumers) for fresh produce sellers to dispose of fruit and vegetables that have become too old to sell, or which have reached a point where they no longer look ‘appetizing’.

Therefore, at the end of most market days, hundreds of kilos of food are thrown away instead of being used: a serious waste of resources, and an opportunity for us to show that, with a little persistence, we really can reduce all types of waste… something that allows us to apply the concept of re-use and wastage reduction between event dates, as well as making the upmost of our resources.

For the first part of the tour, the team, consisting of around 30 volunteers, is staying at the artists’ residency of La Feé Nadou in L’Affenadou. On most days of the week, a fresh produce market takes place in one of the surrounding villages, visited by a small group to ask sellers for their waste goods.

Of course, much of the produce collected is true waste, and is too old to consume, so separating the good from the bad is essential, and takes time. With a little patience, however, the end result has proven delicious, resourceful and free. And perfect sustenance for preparations of our next event in Alès.

Guacamole from rescued avocados

Photos: Nadja Bülow, Matthias Laminski