16/09/2025
This Thursday, September 18th, the 30th European Patchwork Crossroads kicks off in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines and three other villages in the Val d'Argent: Ste-Croix-aux-Mines, Rombach-le-Franc, and Liepvre. This is my opportunity to show you some previously unseen images taken last March during a trip to Pennsylvania, USA, where the art of patchwork was born. It's in American English, but perhaps the subtitles will help if you don't understand English.
A bit of history to better understand: in the 16th century, Mennonites fled religious persecution in Switzerland and settled in France, Germany, and the Netherlands. A community found refuge in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, attracted by the religious tolerance of the inhabitants and the fertility of the land. You'll see in this video that it was this same motivation that would later draw them to Pennsylvania.
Over time, part of this Mennonite congregation, well integrated locally, moved away from its traditional practices. In 1693, a protest arose calling for a return to a simple and isolated life. Thus, the Swiss preacher Jacob Amman founded the first Amish community, on the hills of Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines.
In the mid-18th century, faced with new waves of intolerance in Europe, the Amish community of Sainte-Marie decided to go into exile to the British colonies of North America. In these communities where resources were scarce, reusing even the smallest scraps of fabric was a necessity. It was there that their practice of quilting began. Thus, patchwork was born, becoming an art form in its own right. An art form embodying the values of thrift, patience, and community life.
