Fiddler Dennis Stroughmatt saves a French dialect – and culture
, 2022-12-05 12:11:00,
When Dennis Strowmat took the stage with his camera in Old Mines, Missouri, he was doing more than entertaining. It breathes new life into an eighteenth-century language and culture.
After being inspired to play his grandfather’s violin, Mr. Stromat took up the instrument in his twenties. That trip led him to Old Mines, where he met local Missouri French musicians Charlie Pashia and Roy Boyer, who became his mentors. They saw the future of their language and culture in Mr. Stromat’s passion for learning.
Why did we write this
Preserving dialects keeps societies—and their histories—alive. Denis Stromat honors his ancestors who spoke and sang in French.
Today, Mr. Stroughmatt is one of the foremost experts on Missouri French, also called pawpaw French after a local fruit. He sees himself as a musical ambassador who aims to transcend language barriers and showcase the richness of local heritage.
“I’m doing my part, and I’m proud of it,” he said when asked about his motivation for maintaining an accent spoken by fewer than 20 people. I am a big believer in people and in this French culture. It’s a representation of who we are,” he adds. “So we need to protect that.”
The bright blue sky highlights the leaves of the white oaks and birches that line the grounds where La Fête d’Automne is created. It’s an annual fall festival that honors French roots here in the Old Mines district, …
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