Festival Matrimiel: A celebration of the skills of older women passed from one generation to another

The inaugural edition of the Festival Matrimiel in Brussels shines a light on the largely invisible knowledge that women have accumulated over the years.

Honouring the transmission of these skills through workshops, performances and life stories, the French-language event is staged at two venues in Ixelles from 8 to 10 May.

Matrimiel focuses on the crafts and knowhow often inherited from mothers and grandmothers such as embroidery, crochet, medicinal plants, bread making and discussion groups aimed at tackling family conflict by exploring possibilities for reconciliation.

Although rooted in daily life, these practices are rarely valued in the public sphere, points out the festival's artistic director Elya Verdal.

She was inspired to set up the event by her own mother’s breadmaking skills and the realisation that there was a risk that younger generations were missing out. The idea of the workshops is to pass on new skills to participants.

As for the title of the festival, it combines ‘matrilineal heritage’ and ‘honey’ in recognition of the rejuvenation experienced by older bees who return to the hive to feed younger ones. “The elder women who pass on their knowledge are renewed in the very act of sharing. Transmission revives,” say the festival organisers.

In addition to the workshops led by grandmothers, three performances are staged, which examine female lineages and complex family relationships. The festival also includes a living library dedicated to the stories of women from diasporas, as well as discussions about cultural transmission.

The scenography of the festival is also designed to reinforce the idea of elderly women being at the centre of their communities.

All generations are welcome to participate in activities. Although focused on women, Matrimiel is open to everyone. Some workshops are women-only at the facilitators' request, while others welcome families.

Festival Matrimiel
8 to 10 May
SAFFCA, Abbaye de la Cambre 17 (workshops)
Hôtel de Wouters, Boulevard Général Jacques 26 (performances)
Ixelles

Photos: (main image) Transmission ©Assia El Kasmi; Mon corps sait ©Assia El Kasmi; Sensibles performance ©Zoe Pauwels