Viviane Dalles

Stories: - The arch of Lanza Del Vasto, France, 2010

A Society within the Society:

Gandhi’s Philosophy established in the Larzac*

FRANCE, 2010

In the early 30s, Lanza Del Vasto, a Sicilian poet and philosopher, decided to go to India in order to seek a new form of Society. In 1937, he was faithfully introduced to Gandhi who became his mentor. From this important period of his life, Lanza Del Vasto had the goal to set up a micro society in which the Non-violence and the Desobedience concepts advocated by the Father of the Indian Nation, would underpin a new way of Life.

In 1948, Gandhi was assassinated in India by Nathuram Godse, an activist. Lanza Del Vasto, back in France, created the ARCH community.

The Arch community settled in the South of France at the border between the Herault and Aveyron s departments in La Borie Noble, a big farm in ruins. In this hilly country, cut off from the modern world, Lanza Del Vasto and a group of people eager to attempt a new way of life renoved the farm and started organizing a micro society. Since then, the Arch Community concept has spread through not just France but also in Germany, in Spain, in Italy and in South America.

The Arch community doesn’t stick to some stereotypes witnessed in the late 60s, assimilated with a hippy attitude and utopic ideas about the World, they denote with a strong engagement writing in History: the Sermon of the 103, launched by Lanza Del Vasto to protect the Larzac when the governement was about to extend the military camp in the 70s, their support to the Palestinian cause or the volunteers reapers of GMO in 2003 on Jean-Baptiste Libouban’s initiative.

In 2010, the Arch Community still exists and is still following Lanza Del Vasto’s philosophy:

Work in community, self-sufficiency in food, respect of the environment, tolerance on religious and politicals point of view, refuse any dependance from the Society (such as the Active Solidarity Income - RSA- in France), exclusion of any form of fanatism and sectarism.

In summury, a micro society within the Society.

*The Larzac is a limestone karst plateau in the south of the Massif Central, France, situated between Millau (Aveyron) and Lodève (Hérault).

Straw collect. La Borie Noble, France, August 2010.
   
Reflexions on a portrait of Gandhi, of women sewing traditional mat in the meditation room. La Borie Noble, France, August 2010.
   
     
  
Portrait of Jean Leboeuf, the Pilgrim of the community. The Arch community is represented by a person elected by the community itself. La Borie Noble, France, August 2010.
   
A couple from Slovenia who came to live and share the daily life of the community. La Borie Noble, France, August 2010.
   
Onions harvest. The community produces all their vegetables.
     
  
In the garden, collect of beans. La Fleysseire, France, August 2010.
   
A Slovene and two Israelians enjoying a break during straw collection. Everyone is welcome to share in the daily life of the community. They are given shelter and food and in return, people participate in the community works. La Borie Noble, France, August 2010.
   
Zachary, was born at La Borie and his parents originally from Quebec are part of the Arch Community. People enter to the community by personal choice and conviction not by inheritance. Still Zachari lives with the community and he is in charge of the cows and horses, but sooner or later he would have to make the decision to be part of the community or to leave. La Borie Noble, France, August 2010.
     
  
Everyone is welcome to share the daily life of the community. They are given a shelter and food and in return, people participate to the community work. La Borie Noble, France, August 2010.
   
The Backery. Every week Jean Luc makes 150Kg of bread. A quarter will be for the community need and the rest will be sold in some villages nearby. La Borie Noble, France, August 2010.
   
The Backery. Jean Luc is most of the time helped by an intern, a volunteer or a young man who is doing is Civil service in the community. The community welcomes young males who want to do a civil service instead of the military service. Most of these youngs men are from Germany. La Borie Noble, France, August 2010.
     
  
Jean Leboeuf. La Borie Noble, August 2010.
   
Portrait of Jean-Baptiste Libouban with his wife, Jeannine: the squirrels. People who are part of the Arch Community, are given a nickname by the community itself reflecting their personality. La Fleysseire, France, August 2010.
   
For Marie Andree playing harp, alone, in the country, away from the community, is a source of meditation and relaxation, crucial for her well-being. La Borie Noble, France, August 2010.
     
  
Jean-Luc and his son at the pottery. All artefacts will be sold to visitors who visit La Borie Noble. The community has a common bank account available for any expense for the people within the community (education, health, transportations…)
   
Marie Andree washes clothe of her family every Tuesday at the wash house no matter the season. For her it doesn’t mean being “out of touch” but keep simple and essential contact with the different naturals elements such as Water, Stone, Wood and Fire reflecting a poet way to work. . La Borie Noble, France, August 2010.
   
Marie Andree washes clothe of her family every Tuesday at the wash house no matter the season. For her it doesn’t mean being “out of touch” but keep simple and essential contact with the different naturals elements such as Water, Stone, Wood and Fire reflecting a poet way to work. . La Borie Noble, France, August 2010.
     
  
   
Marie Andree and an inter from Brazil cooking food for the community (40 people). Everyday someone is in charge of cooking for all the community. La Borie Noble, France, August 2010.
   
The community has always lunch together, then in the evening they stay at home for diner with their family. La Borie Noble, France, August 2010.
     
  
Every evening, at dawn, the community gather around a fire to pray. Although all people within the community are Christians, people from others religions can join them. La Fleysseire, France, August 2010.
   
Every evening, at dawn, the community gather around a fire to pray. Although all people within the community are Christians, people from others religions can join them. La Fleysseire, France, August 2010.
   
Catarina, going to feed the hens. La Fleysseire, France, August 2010.
     
  
"The Black woodpecker with a red brimless hat and the Bison". People who are part of the Arch Community, are given a nickname by the community itself reflecting their personality. Catarina is German and Yurec is Polish, they met at the community 5 years ago.
  
Catarina in the garden, her favourite place… La Fleysseire, France, August 2010
   
For Yurec is very important to keep the traditional way to work at the farm. Although the community could afford to buy a milking machine, he refuses to use one. La Fleysseire, France, August 2010.
     
  
A priest giving a mass at Catarina and Yurec s house. La Fleysseire, France, August 2010.
   
Cimitery for animals. La Fleysseire, France, August 2010.
   
Children dressing up for fun. La Borie Noble, France, August 2010.
     
  
Folkloric dances training organize by the community every summer with people from France but also Spain, Swizerland, Germany. La Fleysseire, France, August 2010
   
Candles at night. There is no electricity except in the common rooms such as the kitchen or the meditation room. La Fleysseire, France, August 2010.
   
Priscillia, playing banjo during nap time. La Fleysseire, France, August 2010