Korean researchers in the Breton salt country

In late September, a Korean delegation of four researchers (sociologists and anthropologists of maritime communities), a photographer and a translator spent four days in the Guérande country. Koreans' desire to come and meet the men and women of the salt marshes of Brittany is part of a research project « The salt of the world » of the South Korea National Folk Museum (voir le site) of the museum.

The sea salt benefits of great prestige in the Land of the Calm Morning. For this people, having an ancient maritime civilization, Breton salt harvesters are wise: they work the same way as they did 1,500 years ago, as is told in the House of Paludiers' motto : « One commands Nature only by obeying it ».

Koreans discover the richness of the ancient Breton civilization at Batz

On September 27, the Korean delegation met Gildas Buron, curator of the salt marsh museum in Batz. Koreans were impressed by the development of the Breton museum collections and the scientific approach adapted to the general public. They showed great interest in the antiquity and richness of Breton culture as proved by the work and ceremonies clothes, furniture and the Breton language of the country of Guérande. Had not, in the 1950's, the Tourist Office of Bourg de Batz the motto « Like in the palm of one hand the whole of Brittany »?

Visit the House of Paludiers, a must

The next day, the Korean researchers have spent much of the day at the House of Paludiers (voir le site) . This associative structure, created in 1971 by the Celtic Circle of Saillé (group of Breton musiciens and dancers) is accustomed to receiving delegations from around the world. It is well known and appreciated for its educational approach for the general public and for its willingness towards researchers, international media and photographers.

The Korean request arrived early September was phrased: « We would like to visit your establishment and meet an experienced paludier to share your experiences and make known your material and intangible Heritage to the Koreans ».

After a tour of the House of Paludiers, Michel Evain, one of the founder and leader of the establishment, answered for three hours to researchers' questions on as well the history of the salt marshes, the techniques and traditions of paludier world.

Earlier in the day, while three of them were on the salt marshes to make shots, a sociologist and anthropologist discovered the hamlet of Kervalet.

They were particularly attracted by the architecture of the Breton hamlet of Batz that has changed little since the seventeenth century, in the great time of “white gold”. As part of the knowledge of intangible Breton Heritage they were happy to find the small square of Kervalet, near the Saint-Marc chapel, where takes place in the summer, since 1971, the famous « Fest-Noz of Paludiers », a Breton dance feast at night. The tradition of the paludier (salt extractors) dances, which remained still very much alive in the 1960's, has naturally led to this pure « salty ass » (Guérande inhabitants' nickname) Fest-Noz that has been attracting connoisseurs for 43 years.

To complete their approach of the Breton salt country, the delegation had an appointment the next day at the Training Centre of the Paludiers in La Turballe before meeting a paludier from La Turballe. For the Koreans this stay should be an opportunity to build relationships between Korea and the country of Guérande, which, with salt, has created original culture and traditions.

The largest producer of Korean salt takes Breton salt as a reference of quality

Already in June, another Korean delegation had come to the House of Paludiers to understand how the work of paludier was transmitted. Came the owner of the Taepyung salt farm, its executive producer (Director of Strategic planning Dept) and a translator. This vast saline in Jeungdo Island, which is an archipelago in the south west of the Korean peninsula, was created in 1953. It is the largest salt farm of Korea, and is listed as one of the cultural heritages of the country. Each year 16,000 tons of sea salt are produced.

Taepyung Natural Salt Co . notes on its website that its salt « has a high mineral content and exceptional taste. It is harvested by hand in the traditional way, which is the same method used by the brand upscale salt sea, Guérande ».

Seen from Korea, Breton sea salt has an international reputation for being the standard of the quality of artisanal salt. The translator pointed out that Korea and Brittany are two peninsulas where the sea has an essential place (voir le site)

This opening with Korea once again demonstrates the strong worldwide reputation of Guérande salt marshes and Brittany in general. The East Asia seems increasingly attracted by the country of Breton salt, like the Japanese television in 2013 which devoted a special issue about Brittany and the world of salt marshes as driver thread (voir notre article) titled: Japanese television in the land of Breton salt (in French).

Hubert Chémereau

Translation Maryvonne Cadiou from (voir notre article)

Not published at the time, here is the translation of (voir notre article)

Japanese television in the land of Breton salt

After filming in South Africa, the team of the famous emission The Earth or 我 が 国 BS Asahi Japanese chain (1) put his luggage down in the salt marshes of [[[Guérande]]].

The House of Paludiers (2) in Saillé, not far from Guérande, put its whole team - starting with its manager Michel Evain - to help the Japanese television team of nine people and easy them for filming a TV broadcasting Special Brittany presented by the star of the channel Maya Kobayashi.

The salt marshes of Guérande are a strong identity marker of Brittany for the country of the rising sun with strong maritime traditions.

Before coming to the country of Guérande, the Japanese had shot on the north coast of Brittany, in [[[Cancale]]], famous for its oysters and witness of the Breton solidarity following the tsunami that devastated the Japanese coast on March 11th, 2011.

For the Japanese, Cancale oysters and Guérande sea salt are two great symbols of the maritime and gourmet Breton world, associating north coast and south coast of the Breton peninsula and link with the Japanese who live by the sea.

Across the sea is also a long history between Bretons and Japaneses. Bretons have not forgotten that Japanese oysters had saved Breton oysters in the 1970's and, following the tsunami that devastated the Japanese coast on March 11th, 2011, (as mentioned above), a Breton solidarity has been organized with the Japanese maritime communities.

During the preparation of the TV program in June, the choice of Japanese stood on the House of Paludiers which reputation is well established. Since 1971, the House of Paludiers created by the Celtic Circle of Saillé is essential for understanding the particular world of the salt marshes and the people who has made it live for centuries.

The discovery of salt marshes

Michel Evain told, in the heart of the salt marshes of Guérande, their functioning since 1,500 years. Before coming here, the Japanese were already fascinated by this so old territory and the great wisdom of the salt workers using only the strength and richness of nature. Once there, they were really impressed with this more than millennial tradition which created a unique environment. The salt worker Frédéric Lelant took Maya Kobayashi on the eyelets to explain the complex chemistry that provides the grey salt, rich in trace elements and magnesium, and the famous “salt flower”.

Meal preparation

Maya Kobayashi then turned to practical work with the help of Frederic Lelant's wife, also salt worker, in her kitchen. The Japanese woman has tried making buckwheat pancakes after putting a pinch of salt in the dough.

The TV presenter was impressed with the preparation of the famous bar in a salt crust. Florence Lelant, after lying the noble fish on a bed of coarse sea salt « which is the best! », as she declared proudly to the camera, and she showed Maya Kobayashi how the salt crust is made.

Michel Evain had himself brought Salicornia to accompany the fish.

In a great cordiality, Bretons and Nippons shared the table with the pleasure of exchange between two cultures so far removed in appearance but united by the strength of the transmission of traditions and the nourishing sea.

The country of Guérande, a summary of Brittany

For three days, the Japanese team has traveled around this country. For the Japanese it is a Brittany in miniature for the richness of its landscape and architectural heritage as well as its cultural traditions and importance in the history of Brittany.

In order to introduce the Breton legends to the Japanese public, the crew wanted to go to [[[Brocéliande]]] forest. Due to time they traveled to the Gâvre forest, former forest estate of the Dukes of Brittany, which is a remnant, also rich in Celtic legends. Especially as Nantes, the historic capital of Brittany, near the forest of Gâvre, is the Brittany town most present in the Arthurian legend.

Broadcasting on Japanese screens the Special Brittany of « Our Earth » will, in no doubt, promote the desire of the Japanese to know more about the land of the setting sun. It is with great pleasure that the House of Paludiers, valued for its hospitality and professionalism, will introduce future Japanese tourists to the adventure of Breton salt.

Hubert Chémereau (translation Maryvonne Cadiou)

Notes

(1) (voir le site) TV Asahi and BS- (voir le site) asahi.co.jp/ourearth/prg_001.html page the issuance Our Land.

(2) (voir le site) of the House of marsh of Guérande in Saillé.