tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805467894140446862.post3978948891101307946..comments2024-03-14T04:25:57.643+01:00Comments on ORNAMENTAL WOODCARVER Patrick Damiaens: Don Bosco Liège Belgium | The disappearance of intangible cultural heritage | DISCONTINUATION of the artisan program ornamental wood carvingPatrick Damiaenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00774435575744300272noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805467894140446862.post-40875637250033983202015-01-12T04:49:57.688+01:002015-01-12T04:49:57.688+01:00I must echo the comments of Mike Willeson. It'...I must echo the comments of Mike Willeson. It's a shame. Europe does a better job than the US of supporting the trades than the US does, but obviously key pieces are under attack. Learning from books or videos falls short for skills like woodcarving.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8805467894140446862.post-18062970612616056252014-06-03T18:18:12.682+02:002014-06-03T18:18:12.682+02:00Send by mail, posted by Patrick Damiaens
Mr. Da...Send by mail, posted by Patrick Damiaens<br /><br /><br /><br />Mr. Damiaens,<br /><br />Please let me begin by saying that I read your blog regularily and am always waiting for the next post. I very much enjoy reading about and seeing pictures of your work. I also enjoy your videos. Thank you for sharing your work.<br /><br />I read your post today about the ending of the ornamental woodcarving program at the Don Bosco Institute and immediately felt a wave of sadness. I have been thinking about it all day. I live in America, have never been to Belgium, and have never heard of the Institure before reading your blog post. So why am I sad? The closing of a program such as this brings Europe's skilled professional organizations one step closer to being extinct. How much longer until another program closes, and then another?<br /><br />I think Europe has done a very good job of retaining the old skills and maintaining the schools and organizations necessary to ensure that the ways of the craftsman live on. I envy the fact that you have official schools and trade organizations where a person can learn a unique trade like woodcarving, and have the opportunity to earn a professional status. Numerous times I have dreamed of traveling to Europe, spending several years being trained, possibly serving in an apprentice program, and becoming a master woodcarver or cabinetmaker. I am nearly 50. It will never happen for me, and if training programs continue to close, many of Europe's young people will lose that opportunity.<br /><br />So I write to you this evening to simply share in your disappointment and even though I do not have the attachment to the Don Bosco Institute that you do, in some small form I understand your points. I pray that you and your students, and others who share your concerns are able to convince the institute to reverse course before it is too late.<br /><br />Respectfully,<br />Mike Willeson<br />Sioux Falls, SD<br />USA<br /><br />Patrick Damiaenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00774435575744300272noreply@blogger.com