Palm Sunday.
The bell in the tower tolls, first weakly, but quickly building up strength to a full‑bodied tone—then stops abruptly.
When I reach the courtyard of the main building, there are already people there, talking in small groups—people from La Borie Noble, from the Ark’s other villages, and guests from the local area; others are still on their way on the paths from La Flayssière and Nogaret.
The people of the Ark wear their festival clothes, handmade all from white wool: the men with their heavy sweaters and pants, the women with their long dresses, and many of both with hooded cloaks down to their feet. The children rush around among the adults, then after a while pass out boughs for the adults to hold. The sun shines brightly, though the air hanging between the tree-covered mountain slopes is still icy‑cold.
Now all gather in a circle, each one holding a bough. Soon the singing begins: a hundred voices raised in stately, full harmonies.
Hallelujah!
Glory to God in the highest heaven
And peace on earth to men of good will.
In the music, in the entire scene, the ancient and the modern seem to blend, giving a sense of timelessness. It is as if this could take place anywhere, in any time—while it is surprising to find it at all.