Arc-Ainières

Alphonse Gheux (1850-1935) is buried in the cemetery of Ainières, close to what was the thickest lime tree in Belgium until 2007. Alphonse is the last known player of the Hainaut bagpipe, the muchosa, a type that was played throughout Picardy. His instrument broke in 1912 and there was no one left who could repair it. Until a few years ago, it was nearly forgotten. Historical muchosas can be found in the Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) in Brussels. Currently, there is a revival of the muchosa in Belgium and several instrument makers are once again building muchosas. Besides this type of bagpipe, there is also the so-called 'Breughel' or Flemish bagpipe in Belgium, which is much better known. Alphonse's great-granddaughter, Pascale Gheux, has been organizing an annual 'Rencontre de Cornemuses' in Ainières for 15 years now, in the month of May.

Dromos