«Vézelay hors les murs», 2026 projects

«Vézelay hors les murs», at the United States in November and Bruges in December, highlighted just how meaningful Romanesque art can be, inviting those who discover it to marvel at its coherence. From new collaborative projects with the Maison du Visiteur are on the way.

The United States

The three Vézelay events hosted by Hélène Ramin and Christopher Kelly on the theme of Chicago (see November's news) have helped put Vézelay on the map and continue to raise its profile. raise funds with the French Heritage Society for the ongoing restoration of the Basilica ($ 100 000 donations to date).
Since our meeting, we have been able to offer a €1,000 grant for an American student to come to Vézelay this summer through the French Heritage Society educational programme.
The visit also provided an opportunity to meet many people. Following lunch at the Institut d'Art, they were invited by a journalist who had come to the Maison du Visiteur en 2025, an article has been published - in English - about Vézelay.

A Notre Dame University we were welcomed by Abby and Arnaud Zimmern, a couple who came to Vézelay in 2024. They had been preparing for our visit for a year, with the aim of raising awareness of Vézelay and its history. the «beauty at heart» network» to university wherever possible, convinced that the cultural, artistic and spiritual significance of Vézelay for students. The first student, Aidan Murray, came to Vézelay in the summer of 2025.
We were invited to take part in the« Living tradition» from Thursday 13 to Saturday 15 November. At the same time as the conference, we met with the heads of several faculties who would like to :
– Sending 3rd year students to France, In the case of students who speak French very well, there are very few of them, do the training and be a guide in the summer in Vézelay ;
- for others to do immersion in France with a 1st stop at Vézelay followed by 4 weeks' experience in other locations,
- circulate a’Hosting a doctoral student to carry out research on the chapiteaux of Vézelay, A stay of 2 to 6 months is envisaged.

Finally, we were welcomed by Dr Sue Morter and Lisa Zinberg in Indianapolis. They come to Vézelay every year with 50 people. The day together was planned for video recordings and live interviews with them in preparation for a video to be broadcast to their large audience. Unfortunately, despite the fact that we had prepared everything on both sides, we experienced endless technical complications. Nevertheless, we managed a one-hour recording and will be continuing with it.

Bruges
In December we were welcomed by Jan and Pia Gyselinck, A couple who organise a week-long seminar in Vézelay every year. They had organised two presentations of Vézelay for their network of friends and acquaintances. We will also be working with them to hosting young people in Vézelay.

In conclusion
These trips were an opportunity to get a broader taste than in France of the helplessness of many people in the face of the difficulties that society is going through. We were amazed by the commitment of the people we met to serving the common good and, in particular, the concern to give young people the means and reasons to hope for the future.

Lisa Kahn, President of Chicago is very committed to«French Corridor», This is a great initiative to raise awareness and update links with France.