My Santons de Charlevoix
In the early 1980’s a craftman in Quebec’s Charlevoix region took interest in santon-making techniques.
Since then,, Santons de Charlevoix offers figurines made using santon techniques, with a Quebec touch. They recreate a Charlevoix village in the early 20th century. Farmers, trade people and artisans, local dignitaries, merchants, characters from local history and fiction, and animals join characters from the Nativity story.
I present to you my santons de Charlevoix.
Dressed in traditional garmants, Mary and Joseph care for baby Jesus, with the ox and donley
Angels
The key actors
The Wise Men and the angels are dressed according to nativity standards. Shepherds wear traditonal Charlevoix clothing.
Wise Men and Camels
Shepherds and Sheep (Santons de Charlevoix)
At church and in school
Brother André and a nun welcome the village’s beggar, while the cantor rehearses the ”Minuit chrétien” (Holy Night). At the school, the teacher instructs a little girl who holds her favorite doll.
At Church and School
Trades and Household Chores
Merchants and peddlars chat at the blacksmith’s. Next door, the baker and the butcher get busy. Women meet and trade news while knitting, spinning and doing laundry.
Blacksmith and merchants
At the butcher and baker
At Home
The Great Outdoors
It’s busy on the farm. Elsewhere, some hunt and fish while others enjoy winter.
On the Farm
Hunting and Fishing
Winter scene
Et swingne la bacaisse
(traditional Quebec call to join in the dance)
Musicians and step dancer
What would the Holidays be without musician and a ”gigueur” (traditional Quebec step dancer)?
Buildings
Procession chapel, one-room rural school, church and rural house. The church is a reproduction of the church in Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, in Charlevoix.
Charlevoix Buildings