Ratilly arts and culture center reopens

This superb 13th century castle is a family affair. Because who other than siblings could provide for the needs of such a building? It was in 1951 that Norbert Pierlot and his wife Jeanne decided, on a stroke of madness, to acquire this fortified castle and its moats to transform it into an art and culture center. They renovated it and installed a pottery workshop there, which was a great success. Jeanne developed table objects with pure lines, in sandstone with gray, green or blue enamel, from which her daughter Nathalie has now resumed production. Also, the artist couple - Norbert was an actor - had attracted a whole generation of creators to Ratilly: we saw Calder, Bazaine, Ubac…

When Norbert and Jeanne died, the five Pierlot children took up the torch, and the château continued to shine. Thus, after the parenthesis of confinement, the place opens its doors again, and concerts and exhibitions can resume. In the spotlight this year, the art brut of René Moreu. On the occasion of the centenary of his birth, we present the paintings, drawings and collages of this artist struck blind at 23 years old and disappeared on May 16. Entitled Ratilly on the garden side, the exhibition will take place in the halls of the castle.

In terms of music, five concerts will brighten up the summer with, as always, a program mixing classical and jazz. Among others, the Franco-Brazilian singer Miu Quieroz will enchant visitors with her velvety voice in a unique cocktail of samba, jazz and soul. On August 15, classical lovers can come and listen to the Akilone quartet, a female ensemble, during an evening devoted to the works of Bartok and Schubert.

Exhibition: Ratilly on the garden side, work by René Moreu until October 31.

Concerts: July 14 Claire Thirion and Karine Sélo, July 25 Sylvain Rifflet Quartet, August 1 Miu Queiroz quartet, August 8 Fanny Azzuro, August 15 Akilone Quartet.