#The Sapeurs

[sheltiechicago]

The Sapeurs: Fashionable Figures Of Kinshasa

Kinshasa, the lively core of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), dances to the captivating blend of its bustling streets, where disorder and ingenuity merge harmoniously. In this vibrant tapestry of existence, a remarkable subculture arises, adorning the streets with sophistication and poise. They are known as the Sapeurs, the fashionable figures of Kinshasa, exemplifying style and refinement. Fashion to them is not a mere outfit, but a proclamation of resilience and individuality in the face of adversity.

Photographer: Biljana Jurukovski

[olvaheiner]

[beau-gar]

TEMITAYO

www.beau-gar.tumblr.com

[yearningforunity]

Celestin, 48-year-old technician and sapeur for 25 years,in Brazzaville, Congo. © Tariq Zaidi

[empirearchives]

Paris Fire Brigade — The fire department of the city of Paris

The Paris Fire Brigade was created by Napoleon on 18 September 1811 after a devastating fire in Paris in 1810. The brigade remains the same firefighting service of Paris to this day.

Illustrations created by Aaron Martinet between 1807 and 1814. Top: Imperial Guard, Engineer Sapper. Bottom: Imperial Guard, Officer of Engineer Sappers. These were the military positions which were transitioned into the fire department.

The deadly fire at the Austrian embassy ball in July 1810, during the festivities for his marriage to Marie Louise, reminded the Emperor of the importance of a well-functioning fire service in the capital.

Despite the courage and dedication of the gardes pompes [firefighters of the old organization], who are sometimes falsely accused of numerous shortcomings, the firefighting service revealed its weaknesses: delays, insufficient and unreliable equipment, poorly trained personnel and incompetent managers. The staff present at the embassy on the day of the tragedy were cleared of all suspicion by an investigation led by the Count of Montalivet. On the other hand, the leaders of the old organization were dismissed, and the corps des gardes pompes was abolished.

After this catastrophe, the Emperor reorganized this public service by creating the first military corps of firefighters, made up of the engineers from the Imperial Guard who were dedicated to defending the imperial chateaux against fire.

At the behest of Emperor Napoleon I, the creation of the Paris fire department [bataillon de sapeurs pompiers de Paris] by imperial decree on 18 September 1811 was an original and innovative step, marking the transition from a civil and municipal organization to a military body. The choice of such an atypical status for a public service echoes the creation, eleven years earlier, of the Paris Police Prefecture, an equally singular legal administrative body.

From its creation, this military corps was placed under the authority of the Paris Police Prefecture, who was responsible for the security of the capital. After a long process, this military status and subordination to a prefect became the logical consequence of the spirit of the decree of 12 messidor year 8.

When the battalion was formed in 1811, the Paris fire department took on a new mission: fighting fires, the importance and development of which they were still unaware of.

Four companies were then created to respond to fires. Relying on a typically military functional triptych (extensive training of men, systematic technological research and implementation of efficient operational procedures), the battalion quickly made its new environment its own, and by the end of the second half of the 19th century, had become a model for the organization of public fire-fighting services and a national, even international reference.

Several fire chiefs succeeded one another until 1814. At that date, command was entrusted to battalion commander Plazanet. He provided the battalion with an instruction manual, made it compulsory for sappers to be stationed in barracks, and introduced gymnastics to train efficient and daring rescuers.

Source: Brigade de sapeurs-pompiers de Paris — Le Bataillon

Picture source: Napoleon's Army: 1807-1814 as Depicted in the Prints of Aaron Martinet, By Guy C. Dempsey, Jr., (Section: Support Troops)

[peoplewearing-yohjiyamamoto]

Sapeurs wearing Yohji Yamamoto by Sap Chano

[francepittoresque]

18 septembre 1811 : création du bataillon des sapeurs-pompiers de Paris ➽ http://bit.ly/Sapeurs-Pompiers-Paris Si dès la fin du VIe siècle à Paris des gardes de nuit sont chargés de veiller aux incendies, seuls des moyens dérisoires de lutte existent jusqu’au règne de Louis XIV, un édit de 1667 imposant ensuite la mise à disposition d’outils et d’hommes propres à combattre le feu

[howtocrashacar]

The Importance of Being Elegant (2004)

[lounesdarbois]

Sapeurs-pompiers de Paris.

[philoursmars]

Une longue série sur la bouffe, deuxième service ! Passons aux spécialités. Ici, cuisine des 4 coins (enfin,... des 6 coins) de la France (et un poil de Wallonie):

Lyon, rue St-Jean, bouchon "Le Fiston" : tablier de sapeur

île d'Oléron, La Cotinière, resto "La Gaieté" : éclade de moules

Brest, "L'Attitude Crêpe" : le kig ha farz

Albepierre (Auvergne), Hôtel du Plomb du Cantal - assiette auvergnate avec pounti, truffade (ou aligot ? Je ne me souviens plus), charcuteries...

La Ciotat : le gratin dauphinois d'Isabelle (d'origine grenobloise !)

Tournai (Wallonie, Belgique) : endives au gratin et carbonnade flamande (et frites, of course)

Vallon-Pont-d'Arc (Ardèche), resto du site Chauvet 2 : lissé de pois chiche, caillette, fondant de châtaigne

Lille, brasserie "Les 3 Brasseurs" : dans le sens horaire, frites, welsch (je pense), carbonnade flamande, os à moelle et potjevleesch

Boulogne-sur-Mer : welsch

[afrotumble]

What It Means to Be a Sapeur in the Republic of the Congo

[fifiemma]

Damson idriss's photo collage 2. 📸 from @beau-gar

[dogandcatcomics]

#repost @lutandaluzamba Lutanda Zemba Luzamba (recently Cape Town, South Africa, b. Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1973-). This is Unique Print, 2022, oil on canvas, 55 1/10 x 43 3/10 inches, 140 x 110 cm. I am interested in the sort of animal figuration in some of Luzamba's recent work, especially this example of feline representation. Thanks to @ebonycurated for the tip.

[beau-gar]

BADJI

www.beau-gar.tumblr.com

[yearningforunity]

Sapeurs of Brazzaville

[zappster]

Sardegna 2022