February 26, 2023 by Francoise Fontanelle
The Battle of Nancy by Delacroix.
© Marc Baronnet
For the first time, next autumn, a major immersive show will be dedicated to the historical figure of Saint Nicholas, Nikolaos. Directed by Damien Fontaine, produced within the eponymous church of Neufchâteau, this event is an opportunity to return to the character and the role of this legendary figure in the Battle of Nancy, the outcome of which will place this saint forever in the heart of the Lorraine identity. Élisabeth Pellet, communication officer for the VLJ association, organizer of the show, agreed to be our guide.
Why did the Bishop of Myre, who actually lived, become the patron of the Duchy of Lorraine?
Nikolaos died in Myra in 343. His bones were kept there for about 7 centuries. It is a Lorraine knight, Albert de Varangéville, who will bring back a phalanx of a finger of the saint in a chapel in the hamlet of Port, near Nancy. From 1093, the Bishop of Toul had a new church built there to house the relic, which was replaced in the 15th century by the basilica that we know today in the town which has become Saint-Nicolas-de-Port. And the people of Lorraine did well to venerate him… Indeed, Sir Réchicourt, also a knight and from Lorraine, imprisoned around 1240 during the sixth crusade, fervently prayed to Saint Nicolas to be released. As he was about to be executed, legend has it that he fell asleep and was transported in his sleep, then woke up in front of the Church of St. Nicolas-de-Port. It is from this legend that the link between Saint Nicolas and Lorraine was built.
How will this bond develop?
The show traces precisely this double story between the historical figure of Nikolaos and the Battle of Nancy. At the beginning of the fifteenthe century, René II, Duke of Lorraine, also venerates Saint Nicolas. But he will go further. When he prepares to battle with Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, who had besieged Nancy in October 1477, he swears that he will make Saint Nicolas the patron saint of his duchy. Nancy is defended by nearly 2,000 soldiers. We are in the middle of winter, the cold is raging and the morale of the Burgundian troops begins to drop. Desertions multiplied and the Count of Campobasso, close to Charles the Bold, decided to join René II and took mercenaries with him. The siege of Nancy is terrible, famine sets in. But on January 5, 1477, René II was able to give battle – after having succeeded in bringing together an army of nearly 20,000 soldiers thanks to the reinforcement of Swiss mercenaries and the support of the King of France – and defeat the troops of Charles the Bold.
Are there any links between the historical figure and his legend as we know it in Lorraine?
We can identify a first link, between the life of Nikolaos and the legend which was built in Lorraine around the three lost children who took refuge with a butcher and which is told at each Saint-Nicolas feast. What we know of Nikolaos is that he was born in Turkey at the end of the 3rd century and that he was indeed a bishop. What we also know is that he really made it his mission to ensure the protection of children. Indeed, during this period the region of Lycia (south-west of Anatolia) suffered terrible earthquakes which caused terrible famines. Hundreds of children became orphans, and Nikolaos contributed a lot to the reception of these children, for this reason already at that time he was given the title of protector of children. The second, in the story of Nikolaos, concerns the fact that a father, who had squandered his entire fortune on gambling and orgies, had resolved to sell his three daughters for lack of a dowry. Crushed by guilt, he implores the gods for mercy. One night, while he is in prayer, he hears a noise, rushes and discovers at the foot of his daughters’ breeches hanging from the fireplace, three heaps of gold coins. Thinking he is dealing with Mercury, the messenger of the gods, he goes in pursuit of a figure. And, when he catches up with her, he realizes that it is Nikolaos, who asks him to keep this secret and to change his habits by putting himself at the service of others. The sources of these facts were found by Damien Fontaine on the occasion of the show, and one can a priori think that they are historical facts, although they go back to a distant past and have undoubtedly been modified by oral transmission. In any case, this is what is said about the real Nikolaos. So if he did not resuscitate three children, he did rescue three young girls, during the night and in secret, as it is said that he distributes gifts in the shoes of children placed near the fireplace.
Do we know how he became a bishop?
Nikolaos was extremely generous. But it was also found strange, in this polytheistic society, that this son, from a rich family, squandered his father’s fortune for the benefit of the poor and the sick. One day, he hears of a gathering of Christians, in a house of prayer, to elect the new bishop of Myre. He goes there and there, an old man, Santos, opens the door for him and asks his name. When he states his identity, the old man’s face lights up. He invites Nikolaos to follow him and this one discovers a large assembly which applauds him, welcoming him as their new bishop. And Santos explained to him: “Do you see Nikolaos, last night the lord appeared to me in a dream and let me know that the first man who would appear at the door, during our assembly, would be our new bishop! »
Has he left many traces in history?
There are many tales of Nikolaos’ life, including the story of Nepotian’s ships calling at Andriaca, a city that had just been destroyed by an earthquake. Or during the episode of the persecution of Christians, when the soldiers in the pay of Emperor Maximin Daïa arrest Nikolaos and his friends. It is also known that Nikolaos intervened on the question of the Trinity during the gathering of 300 Christian bishops in 325 AD in Nicea, on the initiative of the Emperor Constantine. The credo of Nicaea-Constantinople, recited at Mass, still reminds us of this today.
Nikolaos: An unprecedented historical spectacle
A total visual immersion that transforms the nave, the choir and the vaults of the Saint-Nicolas church into a vessel of images, 80 actors and extras on stage, a high-precision tape, live music and a real story. These are the challenges that Damien Fontaine, a specialist in the genre, imposed on himself to create this extraordinary show. Monumental.
On the border between sound and light, historical reconstruction and theater piece, this total show is a fascinating immersive work. A true painting of light, the images enter into a dialogue with the memory of the stone and evolve in constant interaction with the story told by the actors.
This is how the magic works to literally transport the spectators back in time and history: from the confines of Asia Minor in the year 300 of our era, to the meeting of Nikolaos, to the battle of Nancy which, on January 5, 1477, will change the history of Lorraine, when René II will face Charles the Bold with strength and courage, promising to make Saint Nicolas the patron saint of the Duchy of Lorraine.
Between history, legends and arts, it is a grandiose experience that will take place in Neufchâteau next Autumn.
Nikolaos – History stronger than legend
Every evening from October 23 to November 11, 2023, at 7 p.m. and 8:45 p.m.
Church of Saint-Nicolas, rue Saint-Nicolas in Neufchâteau.
Prices: from €9 to €29 (poss. Family pass)
Info and reservations: www.nikolaos.fr
And at the Western Vosges Tourist Office
