The traditional “journée d’inspection” walk of “Samedi de Quasimodo” (the first Sunday after Easter) will once again take place on Saturday 27th April 2019, along the Via Francigena in the Canton of Valais (Switzerland).

The initiative, which has reached its 22nd edition, will follow the passage of the symbolic pilgrim’s staff from the mayor of Saint-Maurice, Damien Revaz to that of Evionnaz, Gilbert Jacquemoud, on the border of the two municipalities.

“I complement the “Compagnos de la Via Francigena” of Valais, guided by Willy Fellay and Bernard Delasoie who, every year, organise the wonderful event – says Massimo Tedeschi, president of the European Association of Via Francigena Ways (EAVF) – It’s a very important occasion, especially when it comes to raising awareness and promoting the Francigena, not just in Valais“.

“It’s also a good opportunity to remember another great protagonist and friend of the Via Francigena, abbot Joseph Roduit (1939-2015) 94th abbot of Saint-Maurice, driving force for the rediscovery of the European route in Switzerland, dedicated to great open-mindedness, which brought him to close to everyone, despite any differences in language, nationality and religious belief – underlines EAVF president, Tedeschi – For many years, he dedicated a week to guiding a group of people from his area along the Francigena, until they travelled the whole route, from Canterbury to Rome. The fact that Saint-Maurice, and his splendid abbey (515) dedicated to Maurice the martyr, is in the middle of the Francigena, exactly half way between Canterbury and Rome, has never been forgotten. I invite friends of the Francigena to join us at the event.”

Download the programme below