Remember the Rosati society as we stroll along Rue du Clos des Rosati. This street shares its name with a literary society. This society was founded in Arras France. It goes back to June 12 1778.
The Rosati were known for verses roses and wine. They gathered in a garden. It was flowery shady and rural. This took place under a throne and acacia trees. A stream reflected the scenery. Each member read a verse. It was adapted to the place and mysteries. Bottles of champagne were brought. Someone pulled fresh roses from their pockets. In a flash everything was covered with roses. The green cradle was paneled. Scattered roses reddened the table. They toasted to the queen of flowers. Impromptu verses arose. They were like the mousse of Chambertin. Louis-Joseph Le Gay exclaimed that such a beautiful day should be remembered every year. It should be called the Fête des Roses.
The meeting place was in a suburb of Arras. It was near Notre-Dame d’Avesnes abbey. It was on the banks of the Scarpe. The inauguration of the Berceau took place. Bergaigne Caignez and Carré were present. Also present were Charamond Desprez Giguet Herbet Le Gay and Lenglet. The tradition of the Fête des Roses began.
The society was later named Rosati. This was a double tribute. It honored the rose and Artois. Artois is an anagram of Rosati. Charamond described its purpose in 1787. He welcomed a new member Abbé Ménage from Paris.
The Rosati sought relaxation. They wanted enlightenment. They laughed at ambition. They revived the simple tone of old authors. The adoption ceremony was not serious. You picked a rose. You smelled it three times. You attached it to your buttonhole. You emptied a glass of rosé. It was in honor of all Rosati past present and future. Then you kissed someone you loved.
The Rosati studied the gay science. They praised the rose beauty wine and love. Le Gay seemed to be an animator. This task later fell to the chancellor. Some associated the Rosati with licentiousness. Some poems hinted at debauchery. Arthur Dinaux clarified their freedom lacked indecency. The society included magistrates lawyers abbots officers and landowners.
In 1787 the Rosati numbered about thirty. Founders Le Gay and Charamond were among them. Also Louis-Abel Beffroy de Reigny Lazare Carnot and Maximilien de Robespierre.
Stéphane Zweig mentioned the Rosati in his biography of Joseph Fouché. Joseph Fouché was welcomed. He spoke of physics discoveries. He listened to Lazare Carnot’s verses. Maximilien de Robespierre gave speeches about the Rosati.
The Rosati claimed La Fontaine Anacreon and Horace as members. They also claimed Crébillon fils and Piron. Carnot composed The Mœurs de mon Village for the society. His poetic enthusiasm led him to name his son Sadi. This honored the Persian poet Saadi.
Robespierre joined the Rosati. He wrote a poem for the occasion. One described his singing as able to soften a panther.
The Rosati received a delegation. It was from the Valmuse academy. They were invited to an excursion. The deputies conferred Valmusien titles on each Rosati. Le Gay wrote thanks in verse.
The last assembly of the Rosati occurred in autumn 1787. Charamond wrote a Rosati diploma in 1788 for the poet Feutry. The Revolution silenced many songs. It closed many places of amusement. The activities of the Rosati ceased.
In 1877 poets created a new society of the same name. In 1903 the society was recreated by the mayor Adolphe Lenglet.
Today the society awards a gold rose. It goes to people who keep regional culture alive. The society organizes poetry and painting contests. It is associated with the Colombine theater troupe.
Admission to the society is by invitation. The philosophy of gay knowledge is perpetuated. Group cohesion is preserved. The rite of reception created in 1787 is still respected. Young ballerinas perform under the direction of Élodie Obert.
The Rosati society has its headquarters in Arras.
A street in Arras and a street and square in Saint-Laurent-Blangy bear the name of the Rosati. The birthplace of the roses has been restored.
Jules Gravereaux created a rose in their honor. It was named Rosati. He also built a theater of greenery in his rose garden.
A monument was erected in 1928. It celebrated the society’s anniversary. It honored the Rosati from 1778 and 1928.