Bize and 1907

On Saturday, March 31st, 1907, 100 years to the very day after the gathering of 600 wine growers in Bize-Mizervois by the side of Marcelin Albert, M. Rolland Lafon presented a commemorative exhibition.

With the help of M. Vasseur, M. Roure, M. and Mme Dechenaux and Mme Tarbouriech, volunteers from the Musée de Cruzy, Rolland Lafon collected numerous documents.

Autograph documents, pictures of that time, old postcards and newspapers from 1907 (very well-preserved) and a few objects which belonged to Marcelin Albert. People could admire among other things the pince-nez and the famous top hat of the crowds haranguer, Marcelin Albert, who brought himself as their leader to denounce injustice.

Marcelin Albert’s personal effects.

The route of the Southern Revolt related in detail, with illustrations of key moments, like the pillaging and arson of the prefecture of Perpignan, the mutiny of the 17th infantry regiment in Béziers or the audience which Clémenceau gave to Marcelin Albert in Paris.

The Musée de Cruzy generously lent the reproductions of its banners of that time (listed “Monument historique”). Here’s a picture of one of them:

There was a moment of emotion at the listening of the original voices of the 17th Dragoon broadcast by means of a pewter cylinder, ancestor of the gramophone.

In the evening, the public and the initiators of this beautiful commemoration met for a friendly drink with Senator Roland Courteau, Mayor Alain Fabre and the town council of Bize. The local councillors warmly congratulated M. Lafon for the great quality of this exhibition, the number and the variety of the documents presented.

The mayor of Bize announce an other special event in memory of 1907: a show by the choir of “Les Chiffons Rouges”. On this occasion, wine growers from Bize will exhibit all of their products made in the district.