South-East region
“Poetry to reconnect with oneself and others”
At the Halte des parents d’Apprentis d’Auteuil in Marseille, 20 moms took part in a poetic and sensitive journey through the Inside-outside —The Inner Forest project. Accompanied by storyteller Rémi Garcia-Kerviel and photographer Clotilde Penet, they explored the art of haiku writing and the creation of haïsha* through outings in nature, moments of introspection, and shared experiences.
Project supported by the Fondation Foujita.
*Haiku are short Japanese poems that celebrate transience and sensory experiences. Haïsha is the photographic equivalent.
Following the collaboration with the musée Guimet, a turn toward haiku
The families supported by the Families homes often face challenges marked by financial insecurity, isolation, and the mental strain of daily life. The Family Houses are welcoming spaces where families can come together, share their experiences, learn from one another, and find support.
After enjoying a four-day immersive artistic journey exploring Japanese culture in May 2024 with the National Museum of Asian Arts – Guimet, an experience they described as a truly soothing respite, the moms expressed a desire to delve deeper into the practice of writing haiku — a form of poetry they had discovered during that event.
The Inside-outside—The Inner Forest project was designed to fulfill this aspiration: to offer participants a safe, sensitive, and creative space where each person can reconnect with their feelings, express their uniqueness, and build self-esteem through poetry and photography.
“When La Halte reached out to me again to work with families on haiku, the project took shape in a flash. I’d been wanting to work with Clotilde for a while, and the idea of combining poems and photos immediately struck me as the perfect fit. The families at La Halte immediately grasped this dynamic, appreciated the beauty of these ideas, and the artistic material emerged as if by magic. I’ve learned so much from them. Accompanying these people on their journey and working every day to earn their trust is an honor I’m happy to share.”
Families seeking relief through poetry
Les ateliers mis en place avec les deux artistes professionnels ont constitué de puissants leviers d’expression et de transformation.
The moms were invited to slow down, listen, and observe. Outings into nature — from the Saint-Pons Valley to the Calanques, via Longchamp Park — provided a soothing setting for discovering haiku writing and haïsha creation, two practices that engage both the senses and introspection. Through observations and moments of introspection, the participants learned to recognize what is happening “inside” and “outside,” to embrace silence, to welcome their emotions, and to transform them into creative works.
“That was the best time I’ve ever had with the Halte des Parents group, I got to travel without a visa!”
“The most important thing, even though I enjoyed the whole project, was the fact that I was able to write a beautiful poem in my native language.”
These group experiences allowed the moms to gradually feel validated in their creative work, respected in their voices, and supported by the collective energy. Over the course of the workshops, they built a true “safe space” where they could share their stories, take risks, reveal themselves, and even invite family, friends, or social workers to discover their artwork during the final exhibition.
This journey resonates deeply with the mission of the Families homes: to break down isolation, strengthen social ties, recognize everyone’s strengths, and support parents in both their personal growth and their role as educators. By offering an artistic, sensitive, and shared respite, the Inside-Outside-The Inner Forest project helps restore moms’ sense of agency, pride, and a simple yet essential joy.
Discover the booklet with photos of the workshop!
