Thanks for being a subscriber.
Sorry, your subscription does not include this content.
Please contact your publisher to upgrade your subscription.
Culture_community
Honoring Freedom: Valdese Commemorates 177 Years of Waldensian Emancipation
Participants dressed in traditional Waldensian clothing took part in the celebration of the 177th anniversary of the Edict of Emancipation for the Waldenses at the Old Rock School in Valdese.
A crowd of about 100 people gathered in the Waldensian Room at the Old Rock School in Valdese to mark the 177th anniversary of the Edict of Emancipation for the Waldensian people.
On Saturday, Feb. 15, the Waldensian Heritage Museum hosted a celebration of the 177th anniversary of the Edict of Emancipation for the Waldenses at the Old Rock School in Valdese.
After facing centuries of persecution in France and Italy, the Waldenses were finally granted civil and political rights that had been unknown to them before when the Edict of Emancipation was signed on Feb. 17, 1848, by Carlo Alberto, King of Piedmont and Sardinia. This momentous event continues to be celebrated each year during the month of February.
Close to 100 people braved the cold to enjoy the activities of this year’s celebration. A catered meal of chicken Parmesan from Countryside Barbeque of Marion was served in the Waldensian Room before guests moved to the auditorium for the night’s main event — a program of music, dancing, and history.
Waldensian Heritage Foundation Board Chair John Heilman welcomed guests and read the Edict of Emancipation from Feb. 17, 1848, while the Rev. Dr. Rachel Matthews, co-pastor of Waldensian Presbyterian Church, offered a prayer of thanksgiving for the events of the evening.
Waldensian Presbyterian Church quartet Plein d’Espérance serenaded the crowd with French hymns throughout the evening, and several church middle school youth dazzled guests with a performance of the Waldensian folk dance, the courenta.
The Rev. Dr. Kevin Frederick, board president of the American Waldensian Society, introduced the evening’s speaker, the Rev. Dr. Carol Bechtel, executive director of the American Waldensian Society. In addition to her role with the American Waldensian Society, the Rev. Dr. Bechtel is a Professor of Old Testament at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Her presentation, “New Takes on an Old Story: Highlights from the New Four-Volume History of the Waldensians,” revisited some major points of Waldensian history, and challenged listeners to consider how that history could have an impact on the future.
The Rev. Matt Matthews, co-pastor of Waldensian Presbyterian church, closed the evening with prayer as guests held candles symbolizing the bonfires, or falos, that lit up the Waldensian Valleys of Italy on the eve of Feb. 17, 1848, as Waldenses throughout the area celebrated their newfound freedoms.
While the Edict of Emancipation celebration only takes place once a year, everyone is encouraged to visit the Waldensian Heritage Museum anytime throughout the year, at 208 Rodoret St. S in Valdese, to learn more about the Waldenses and the history of the Town of Valdese. The museum is open for tours Wednesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visit the museum website at www.waldensianheritagemuseum.com to learn more about the museum and upcoming events.
Gretchen Costner is the executive director of the Waldensian Heritage Museum in Valdese.
