“She caught my eye! », enthuses André, 68 years old and happy owner of a warm cap that he comes to buy in the heart of the Strasbourg Christmas market. The expression makes you smile… especially since André suffers from total blindness and the negotiation with the merchant of the small chalet was carried out smoothly. ” What is the color ? It suits me well ? “, the deal is concluded. With four other blind people, André makes the most of the Strasbourg stroll. A stroll through the busiest market in France, really? “No problem, you just have to organize yourself a little and plan a weekday when there are not too many people,” replies Michaël Thomas, one of the educational and social guides of the Culture and Leisure Space of the Federation of the Blind Alsace Lorraine Grand-Est.
Do everything or almost
Christiane, André’s partner, also blind, moves forward with sure steps with Doriane, another guide from the center. Give him a “no view, no deal?” » is, unless it makes her laugh, not at all relevant. “No reason”, according to her, not to mingle with the 2.8 million visitors expected on the market. Besides, this is not Christiane’s first visit. And what really concerns her at the start of the afternoon is tasting the “good soups from the Michelin-starred Chefs at the sharing village” or finding a fruity tea that a member of her family told her about. A hidden treasure said to be found “in a chalet located near the cathedral”.
Do everything, in short. Or almost. Because, to reach the chalets, the pitfalls are numerous and varied. Like this cyclist who drives on the sidewalk and hits Christiane. Or these “bikes attached anywhere”, these pedestrians who “walk on the canes” at the risk of bending them, lists Sarah again, who is on the visit and also blind. “It’s up to us to look out for others to protect ourselves, not to get hurt,” explains the thirty-year-old, a bit fatalistic.
An “audio description” visit
And while pedestrians wonder “what can they be doing there”, André and his merry gang circulate in the streets most popular with visitors “with complete confidence”. Jokes and anecdotes, but also memories of past visits, burst forth within the small group. “Do you smell these good spice smells? », asks Michaël. “Ah yes, that smells like mulled wine,” André and Cyprien joke in unison, all senses alert. A visit which ultimately resembles a journey in audio description: “there are Christmas baubles and decorative objects, there are small models of Alsatian houses, there is a classic food stand. »
Each guide describes precisely what he sees, the type of goods sold in the chalets, answers questions and accompanies purchases. No need to see to enjoy, the pleasure is “in the smells, the music that we hear almost everywhere”, explains Joël, cane in hand and smile on his lips. “We’re also here to have a good time and not be in a hurry,” adds Michaël.
Two hours have already passed, and it is already time for the small group to conclude this visit with a mulled wine, drunk while standing back a little so as not to be rushed. And the final word will go to Christiane: “I don’t really like the crowds, but the atmosphere in the Christmas market is different! We speak so many languages there that it’s already a journey. »