The book has tremendous charm. Its title is: “Fanf’harmonies, un air de Gaume, de Lorraine et d’Ardenne”. It is published by Editions Noires Terres and signed Francis Cornerotte. Here is Freddy Schmitz, President of the Musical Federation of the Province of Luxembourg (FMLB) presentation text:
Group musical practice has always occupied an important place in the life of our communities, acting as a genuine vehicle for unity, identity, sharing, education and cultural expression. In the Province of Luxembourg and throughout Wallonia, this tradition is manifested through the rich fabric of our harmonies (instrumental ensembles), veritable pillars of local heritage. These musical ensembles, often wrongly referred to as “fanfare”, have over the decades succeeded in transcending their artistic function to become real players for social cohesion and regional and local identity, which in the past was very often expressed under a political label. Leafing through the pages of this book, the reader will discover how these musical formations contribute to the preservation of traditions, to the enlivening of local events, to the education and training of young people, as well as to the creation of a strong sense of belonging. They are also the reflection of a collective history, of a know-how handed down from generation to generation and of a shared love of music and community life. I hope that this publication will help to highlight and make better known the importance of these cultural actors, often too little known and therefore underestimated and too little supported, yet nevertheless essential to the richness of the social fabric of our villages and municipalities. May our musical societies, which are truly intergenerational groups, continue to resonate, to bring people together, to educate, to transmit and to inspire, as they have always done.
Freddy Schmitz
Francis Cornerotte : Fanf’harmonies, un air de Gaume, de Lorraine et d’Ardenne
Editions Noires Terres
183 pages, hard cover, 25 x 25 cm
30 euros in pre-sale
www.noires-terres
