Nearly fifty delegates from the 20 Cercles de fermières de la Côte-Nord met in Baie-Comeau on Saturday for their annual convention.
The Cercle de Baie-Comeau Marquette is hosting the event. It was originally due to host it in 2021 to mark its 60e anniversary of existence, but the pandemic will have decided otherwise, said Fabienne Lajoie, president of the 03 Côte-Nord federation.
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This same pandemic also explains why participation in the event is lower this year. Usually, around a hundred women meet there. President of the fermières de Marquette, Pauline Boulianne is still satisfied. “I felt lucky to have at least half of it compared to before. »
The regional congress makes it possible to make the link between the circles and the provincial. According to the regional president, several files are in progress. “There is a lot of work in progress, the results of which we will have in July,” she indicated, referring to the provincial convention to be held in Saint-Hyacinthe from July 8 to 10.
The farmers’ wives are working on creating a directory of good addresses for finding wool, fabrics and accessories in all regions of Quebec. “If you are in such and such a city, it will tell you that there is such and such a store that sells wool. I am therefore able to complete my small jobs anywhere,” said Ms. Lajoie.
Transmit knowledge
The objective of the Cercles de fermières is the preservation and transmission of cultural and artisanal heritage, mainly in weaving, embroidery, knitting and sewing. Both ancestral techniques and new ones are put forward.
“It’s not just weaving and knitting,” insisted Fabienne Lajoie, stressing that the organization also works in advance of the cause of women and the family.
Before the pandemic, nearly 800 women participated in the activities of farmers’ circles on the North Shore. However, the health crisis has hurt membership. “We lost a good 10%,” admitted Fabienne Lajoie, who is still encouraged by thinking of the circles that have managed to recruit new members.
Exposition
The Cercles de fermières regional convention is also an opportunity to exhibit pieces made in the categories of the annual competition, namely weaving, knitting, crocheting, embroidery and sewing.
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Pieces are normally judged on merit, but this year is an exception. Ms. Boulianne explains that the pandemic has prevented the training of judges to evaluate the works. It was therefore decided to go there by drawing lots of pieces for all stages of the annual competition. The winners will be announced at the convention on July 8, 9 and 10 in Saint-Hyacinthe.
