In anticipation of the establishment of the National Museum of Sport within the “Grand Stade” project in Nice, which will be inaugurated in 2013, Yvan Gastaut, a senior lecturer at the UFR STAPS of the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, in partnership with the association Wearefootball, which brings together sports historians, is offering two days of meetings (Friday, December 7th, and Saturday, December 8th at the Faculty of Sport Sciences) and reflection on sports heritage.
Yvan Gastaut, the same professor, clarifies the intellectual reference of this conference: “Sport, particularly on the Côte d’Azur, is now fully integrated into the realm of culture. As such, its history and memory are increasingly of interest to our society.”
And its goal: “The ambition of these days is to reflect on what ‘constitutes heritage’ in terms of sport, particularly in the Azur region. This relationship with the past, between historical rigor and sensitive memory marked by emotion and memories, deserves to be identified, studied, valued, or revalued. There is no doubt that sport is an essential component of the Azur region’s heritage, just like other forms of cultural expression. It is embodied in places, competitions, stars, supporters, institutions, clubs, events, techniques, newspapers or works that have significantly structured the imagination of several generations.”
Nice Premium: You also revisit the notion of territory…
Yvan Gastaut: “Sports activity has also shaped multiple identities, whether those of the city of Nice, but also of Cannes or Antibes, or the unique identity of the Principality of Monaco. Beyond cities and urban areas, Azur region sports are also practiced in neighborhoods, trades, social or ethnic categories, not to mention the importance of gender. While it is obvious that major competitions and events attracting a passionate audience deserve to be mentioned, we must not overlook the less media-covered sports and their practitioners.”
Nice Premium: How will the events be conducted?
Yvan Gastaut: “The principle of these days is to bring together researchers, archivists, and teachers alongside public and private decision-makers, leaders, and on-ground actors (athletes, players, referees, educators…) from the sports life, both past and present. In front of a broad audience composed of students and people interested in the topic, various round tables will analyze the richness and diversity of the Azur region’s sports heritage, while acknowledging the inability to be exhaustive.”
Nice Premium: It will also be an opportunity to talk about the future National Museum of Sport and its role.
Yvan Gastaut: “Each speaker will discuss one of these ‘places of memory’ by presenting its history, its possible changes in the landscape, but also the imagination it evokes, assessing its importance. In the presence of representatives from the National Museum of Sport, we will highlight the scientific, social, and civic interest of such heritage-building, pointing to various publications but especially archives or documents that could be used for future enhancement enterprises in forms yet to be determined, such as an exhibition or a scientific study. Moderators, who are specialists in sports history, accompanied by eminent witnesses, will structure and fuel the debate.”
