The Owl is the emblem of the city of Dijon! But where does this adoration for this animal come from? To find out, meet on Wednesday March 17 at 7 p.m. by videoconference!
Indisputable symbol of Dijon, the small sculpture that adorns a corner of Notre-Dame has enjoyed great notoriety for several centuries.
But in this regard: why the owl? Guillaume Pierre responds to it in his own way in the program La Tête à Lieu on France 3 on Sunday March 14 at 12.55 p.m.
But J’Aime Dijon invites you to travel through time and go even further: meeting Wednesday March 17 at 7 p.m. by videoconference, hosted by Bertrand Carlier, freelance journalist, historian by training and co-director of Jondi.fr. Bertrand investigated the history of this owl. Thanks to a great work of documentation through archives dating back to the 15th century, Bertrand Carlier has released a 116-page book. He reveals many mysteries about this little nocturnal raptor… and answers the questions of J’Aime Dijon!
Read the article well to the end: Bertrand Carlier delivers a personal anecdote to the readers of J’Aime Dijon!
When does the Owl of Dijon date? Not so easy to define …
Bertrand Carlier explains: “No one can say where this sculpture comes from, which can be seen at the corner of Notre-Dame! There is no document that gives the why or how. On the other hand, given the many documents that I have been able to consult, one can imagine the date of birth of the Owl: it would date from the beginning of the 16th century. The more we advance in time, the more we find writings about it, especially on the history and explanation of legend, superstition. As the centuries go by the Owl is gaining popularity, the Owl is used for political purposes, it is taken up by many institutions or companies (how I love Dijon!) to finish as an emblematic and unmissable place in the city of Dijon. I will also explain it in the videoconference on Wednesday. ”
“Basically, the Owl is more of a religious symbol. The Owl may be stuck to the Chapel of Notre-Dame, it was not originally part of it. She arrived a little later. What is certain is that Dijon did not have the owl as a symbol from the start of its history. The Owl was cut much later: it appeared and it gained popularity. ”
The Owl has survived through time, through fashions… and through destruction!
“It was when it was destroyed in early 2001 that the Owl’s popularity really grew. Everyone was moved and shocked to learn that she was vandalized. Rather than leaving the owl as it is or replacing the block of stone it was carved on. We decided to repair the breaks. Fortunately, a cast of the owl was made in 1988! This cast served as a model for the repair. ”
Bertrand continues: “At the time, I was working at Bien Public and I remember the incredible number of articles on this subject. It was a very significant event for the population. Moreover, the appearance of Dijon’s “new Owl” coincided with the election of François Rebsamen : his first appearance as mayor of Dijon was at the inauguration of the restored Chouette. ” remembers Bertrand Carlier.
“It was really from that moment that the Owl became the symbol of Dijon, even if before all that, it was essential! Before 2001, many tourists came up to her to observe her, touching her with their left hand to that she brings us luck… And this is still the case today! ” says Bertrand Carlier.
Bertrand Carlier delivers a personal anecdote to readers of J’Aime Dijon
“For the record, following the destruction of the Dijon Owl in 2001, I went in search of its fragments! They were 3 in number and were used for the reconstruction of the “new Owl” with local stone, extracted a few kilometers from Dijon. The fragments were recovered for the purposes of the investigation. However, the case was dismissed and the fragments are now lost. No one knows where they are … they may be lost forever… ”Regrets Bertrand Carlier, journalist and historian who investigated the history of this owl.
All the history of the Owl of Dijon accessible to all during a videoconference.
Appointment Wednesday March 17 at 7 pm by videoconference around the Owl of Dijon. Bertrand Carlier will talk about the investigations he was able to carry out around the Owl and will share a few pages from his 116-page book around the many mysteries about this little nocturnal raptor.
The video conference on the Owl of Dijon is accessible via this link, with Microsoft Teams: https://l.jaimedijon.com/mr3
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