The Provence Model Forest celebrates 30 years of the International Model Forest Network during the Week-End du Chêne-Liège

The Provence Model Forest has organized the Week-End du Chêne-Liège (Cork Oak Weekend), an event that has reached its 6th edition and will be held on 8-9 October 2022 at the Domaine de Baudouvin (La Valette -du-Var, France). The event, which attracts between 2,000 and 4,000 people every year, aims to highlight the cork oak sector and its interest in biodiversity.

The cork oak forest (= a cork forest) is in fact recognized as a habitat of community interest due to the richness of biodiversity and its interest in the face of fires. But the cork oak is also environment, territory, forest, history, craftsmanship and above all wood, which the Provence Model Forest defends and highlights through various enhancement activities. For this reason, it has been organizing this event for 6 years, and this year it will be also an opportunity to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the International Model Forest Network.

It will be two days full of activities! Here is the program below:

Saturday, October 8, 2022

• 10:00 am - Start of the event and welcome
• 10:30 am - Workshop of meditation on nature on the 4 elements (earth, water, air, fire) by the sophrologist Caroline Chayla
• 11:30 am - INAUGURATION of the Mayor Thierry Albertini in the presence of elected officials and organizers
• From 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm - Lunch break with Snack bar and on-site catering
• 2:30 pm - CONFERENCE "Actions and collaborations with local actors in favor of the Var cork: how to collectively relaunch the sector?" by Fabien Nguyen, purchasing manager of DIAM Bouchage (French leader in cork stoppers) and Émeline Guardia, sector manager.
• 3:30 pm - Introduction to "Forest Bathing" (for 1 hour and 30 minutes) by Angélique Pougnas, guide of "Forest Bathing", specialized in sophrology, beekeeping and geobiology
• 4:30 pm - Wood carving demonstration by Josselin Dupuis
• 6:00 pm - Closing of the day

Sunday, October 9, 2022

• 10:00 am - Start of the event and welcome
• 10:30 am - Meditation workshop on nature on the 4 elements by the sophrologist Caroline Chayla
• 11:00 am - CONFERENCE on the 30 years of the Model Forest network and the European dynamic in favor of our forests by Riccardo Castellini (Director of the Spanish foundation CESEFOR)
• From 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm - Lunch break with Snack bar and on-site catering
• 2:15 pm - Quercus Suber Art Competition Award Ceremony for the Sculpture category
• 3:00 pm - CONFERENCE on the impact of climate change on Mediterranean forest populations by Michel Vennettier (researcher INRAE)
• 4:00 pm - Introduction to "Forest Bathing" by Angélique Pougnas, guide of "Forest Bathing", specialized in sophrology, beekeeping and geobiology
• 6:00 pm - End of event

FOR THE WHOLE WEEKEND:

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FAIR - As part of the Week-End du Chêne-Liège, heating professionals come together to present the new pellet heating technologies. If it comes from sustainably managed forests, wood pellets (or pellets) are now a CO₂-neutral renewable energy. This heating method reduces the bill, with comfort of use and autonomy. Throughout the weekend there will be: ÖkoFEN, European leader in boiler production, the installer and service provider SAS CREEE, and the regional distributor of wood pellets FALAIZE ÉNERGIE BOIS.

EXHIBITIONS
- Photo report on cork forests
- Results of the Quercus Suber Art and Design Competition (sculpture category)
- RATE IT! On Saturday and Sunday morning you can vote for the Audience Award for the Quercus Suber Art and Design Competition - 200 € for the chosen artist

DEMONSTRATIONS:
- turning and fretwork by the Tourneurs et Arts du Bois en Provence association
- draw and paint
- sculpt with gouge and chainsaw

TERRITORY AND CRAFTS MARKET:
- Local producers
- Craftsmen
- Roasted chestnuts
- Market gardener

ENTERTAINMENT:
- Music with Lou Rigaoouuu (Bastien Psaïla)
- Caricature animation by the artist André Sandel
- Wellness and workshops for children

MOBILE SAWMILL by Nicolas Jézéquiel