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Abbé Pierre, September 16, 2002 in Saint-Omer. AFP / Philippe Huguen

This Sunday, September 1st, Emmaus celebrates the 70th anniversary of the founding of its first community. The goal: to help those in need. Set up by Abbé Pierre, these communities are a strong link in the solidarity that will then be the spearhead of the Emmaus association. Back on this adventure that continues to last.

It is in the autumn of 1949 that everything begins, when Abbé Pierre acquires a large house in the east of Paris. Finding the accommodation too big, he creates an international youth hostel that he calls Emmaus.

Abbé Pierre, who was then a member of Parliament, welcomed his first companion with his parliamentary secretary. This is how the first Emmaus community is born.

In a context of housing crisis, Abbé Pierre wants to send a strong message by saying "no" to misery.

He gathered around him the poorest, those whom he called the ragpickers and the companions. They form communities and help the equally disadvantaged.

Their mission: recover objects thrown by others to repair them, then sell them.

This system of solidarity economy continues today because 7,000 companions continue to support this project of Abbé Pierre.