Abaim has embarked on a program of exchanges and research with Finnish and Nepalese organizations in 2019, which aims to strengthen their educational and heritage activities and ultimately impact formal education.
Dominique Bellier
Abaim has enjoyed many successes, such as the Ti marmit concerts which toured the country for years, and the musical Tizan ar so 8 frer, which gave rise to a magnificent souvenir book. The name of the Association pour le bien-être des aveugles de l’île Maurice (Mauritius Association for the Welfare of the Blind) has become obsolete as its actions have extended beyond the scope of this original acronym.
Abaim celebrated its fortieth anniversary last year. In 2020, it received Unesco accreditation for its work in research and creation, education and transmission, around the Creole language and traditional music. But since 2019, the Beau Bassin association, which is also present in Le Morne and Grand Baie, has embarked on an exchange and research program with associations and universities in Finland and Nepal working in the same fields of child development, through artistic expression and traditional music. Last October, we welcomed their representatives.
The Académie Sibélius is internationally renowned for its creative and innovative approach to heritage music education. The program of activities launched with its support, that of the Finnish Institute of Folk Music and the Nepalese organization Echoes in the valley, will go beyond the transfer of experience to establish scientific proof of the relevance of traditional musical practice in educational processes.
Ravans in Helsinky
“After all these years of work and achievements with children,” explains Alain Muneean of Abaim, “we believe we have gathered enough data on the importance of culture in child development to convince the authorities to address these issues.”
Dr Vilma Timonen of the Sibelius Academy is in charge of an ambitious research program that will draw its field data from the experience of associations in the three countries concerned. The aim, for example, is to see how their musical education processes revitalize the country’s cultural heritage, integrating social and cultural justice objectives. Convinced of the effective and beneficial impact of these practices on children’s development, the project partners make no secret of their hope that this local cultural heritage will one day be integrated into formal education.
After welcoming the Nepalese, last year the Finnish organizations welcomed the leaders and four young members of Abaim. The latter even taught their Finnish counterparts ravanne and Mauritian songs. The data gathered by the researchers will generate four scientific publications and a series of webinars open to the public. The latter will also discover “video postcards” on the creation of musical pieces in each organization. Meanwhile, in 2024, Abaim is heading for Nepal to take part in a cultural festival!
