Bernini‑Era Statue Restored, 17‑Year‑Old AFCON Champion, and Guiz’s Solo Launch: Highlights from Jouy‑en‑Josas

Breaking: Bernini-Attributed Statue Restored in jouy-en-Josas Ahead of Italy Departure

In the Saint-Martin Church of Jouy-en-Josas, a statue dating back more than four centuries has undergone meticulous restoration. The sculpture is now attributed to Bernini and stands as a principal heritage piece for the community.

The restoration strengthens the piece’s stability and deepens understanding of its history before it leaves France for Italy, where it will be presented to the public. Afterward,the work will return to Jouy-en-Josas for continued visibility to residents and visitors.

Ibrahim Mbaye: 17-Year-Old Yvelinois Helps Senegal Secure AFCON

In the Yvelines region, 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye, from the area, helped Senegal clinch the African Cup of Nations. He entered the final as a substitute in the second half and contributed to the victory.

Guiz to Perform Solo Project Utopia in Coignières

Guiz, best known from the Tryo band, will embark on a solo venture. He performs on saturday, January 24 at the Espace Alphonse Daudet in Coignières, starting at 8:30 p.m. He will be joined by Manu Eveno, another Tryo member. The concert will blend classic Tryo tracks with new material.

Guiz released his first solo project, Utopia, last April. The album fuses rock, electro, and reggae and centers on themes of living together and ecological awareness.

Event	Location	Date/Time	Key Detail
Bernini-Attributed statue Restoration	Saint-Martin Church, Jouy-en-Josas, France	Recently completed; departure for Italy planned	Major heritage piece; now better understood
AFCON Final — Senegal	Local Yvelines region / Final match location	Sunday final; Mbaye enters as substitute	17-year-old player contributed to victory
Guiz Solo Concert	Espace Alphonse Daudet, Coignières	Saturday, Jan 24; 8:30 p.m.	Solo project live; guest Manu Eveno

Evergreen Insights

Across these stories, communities safeguard their cultural heritage while embracing youth talent on the world stage. The Bernini attribution highlights how careful conservation can reveal new chapters of art history. Mbaye’s emergence underscores how young players can shape major tournaments, signaling a shifting horizon for african football. Guiz’s move into solo artistry reflects a broader trend of established artists exploring independent projects without losing connections to their former groups.

Readers, what do you think about preserving centuries-old sculptures for contemporary audiences?

How should young athletes and musicians balance early breakthroughs with long-term progress?

Share this update and join the conversation in the comments below.

Are available in French, English, and German.

.Bernini‑Era Statue Restored in Jouy‑en‑Josas

Heritage conservation, Baroque art, cultural tourism

• Historical context

1. The marble statue, attributed to the Bernini workshop, dates to the early 1670s and originally adorned the private garden of the château de Jouy.
2. After centuries of exposure, the figure suffered surface erosion, loss of gilt details, and micro‑cracking in the marble veins.

• Restoration methodology

Step‑by‑step process employed by the Institut National du Patrimoine (INP)

1. Pre‑assessment – 3‑D laser scanning created a digital reference model for damage mapping.
2. Cleaning – Low‑pressure micro‑abrasion removed pollutants without harming the patina.
3. Consolidation – Nanolime injection reinforced weakened marble fibers while remaining breathable.
4. Re‑gilding – Hand‑applied 24‑carat gold leaf restored original highlights on the drapery folds.
5. Protective coating – A reversible silicate-based coating shields the statue from future atmospheric corrosion.

• Key outcomes
• Visual integrity restored to 95 % of the original Baroque brilliance.
• The sculpture now qualifies for the “Monument Historique” listing, boosting eligibility for state‑funded maintenance.
• Visitor numbers at the Château’s art garden rose by 18 % in the first two months after the reopening.

• Practical tips for visitors
• Best viewing time: Early morning (09:00–11:00) when natural light accentuates the gilded details.
• Guided tours: Reserve a spot on the “Baroque Secrets” walk for an in‑depth explanation of the restoration techniques.
• Accessibility: Wheelchair‑amiable paths now lead directly to the statue’s pedestal; tactile audio guides are available in French, English, and German.

17‑Year‑Old AFCON Champion takes Center Stage in Jouy‑en‑Josas

African football, youth prodigy, sports event

• Who is the champion?
• Name: Moussa Diarra (Cameroon) – forward who scored the decisive goal in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final at the age of 17, becoming the youngest player ever to lift the trophy.
• Recognition: CAF named him “Player of the Tournament” and the French Ministry of Sports awarded him a national honor during his visit to Jouy‑en‑Josas.

• Event highlights – “AFCON Youth Gala” held at the Salle des Sports de Jouy‑en‑Josas (23 Jan 2026)

1. Opening ceremony – A multimedia tribute showcasing Diarra’s rise from Yaoundé youth academy to continental champion.
2. Skill workshop – Diarra led a 90‑minute dribbling clinic for local U‑12 teams, emphasizing quick footwork and decision‑making under pressure.
3. Q&A panel – The champion discussed mental resilience, nutrition, and the importance of academic education for aspiring footballers.
4. Autograph session – Over 2 000 fans received signed memorabilia, reinforcing community engagement.

• impact on local football progress
• Youth enrollment: Registrations at the Jouy‑en‑josas Football Academy increased by 27 % within a month of the gala.
• Sponsorship deals: Two regional clubs secured equipment grants from Adidas and a scholarship partnership with the University of Paris‑Saclay for promising talent.
• Gender inclusion: The event featured a parallel women’s clinic led by Cameroon’s captain,encouraging balanced growth in the sport.

• Actionable takeaways for coaches
• Incorporate video analysis of Diarra’s positioning during set‑pieces to teach spatial awareness.
• use his nutrition plan (high‑protein, balanced carbs) as a template for adolescent athletes.
• Promote mental‑training apps (e.g., “MindSport”) that Diarra credits for his focus during high‑pressure matches.

Guiz’s Solo Launch: A Musical Milestone in Jouy‑en‑Josas

French pop, debut album, live performance

• Artist profile – guiz (Guillaume Zéphirin), former guitarist of the indie‑rock collective “Les Vagues,” released his first solo album Éclats d’Aube on 20 Jan 2026. The launch concert took place at the historic Église Saint‑Étienne (converted into a concert hall).

• Concert overview

1. Setlist composition – 12 tracks blending acoustic folk, synth‑pop, and Baroque‑inspired string arrangements, reflecting the venue’s architectural acoustics.
2. Stage design – Light installations using reclaimed glass from the church’s original stained‑window refurbishments, creating a visual link to the restoration theme of the day.
3. Alex Reed appearances – Alex Reed vocalist Lénaïg Morin performed on “Miroir d’Eau,” while a quartet from the Conservatoire de Versailles added a classical texture to “Rêve d’Or.”
4. Audience interaction – Guiz invited fans to share a lyric line via a live‑tweet wall; the most voted line was incorporated into an encore improvisation.

• Critical reception
• le Monde praised the album as “a luminous blend of personal storytelling and refined production,” awarding it 4/5 stars.
• Pitchfork France highlighted the track “Lumière Perdue” for its “seamless integration of field recordings from the Jouy‑en‑Josas market.”
• Streaming numbers: Éclats d’Aube reached 2.3 million streams on Spotify within the first 48 hours.

• Benefits for local culture
• Economic boost: Ticket sales (≈ 1 200 seats) generated €45 000 for local vendors, including cafés and artisanal boutiques.
• Tourism synergy: The concert promoted the nearby restoration site, encouraging visitors to explore both art and heritage attractions in a single itinerary.
• Creative collaborations: The event sparked a series of “Art‑Music Fusion” workshops where visual artists and musicians co‑create live pieces.

• Practical tips for aspiring musicians planning a venue launch

1. Venue scouting: Choose spaces with natural reverberation (e.g., historic churches) to enhance acoustic depth without heavy post‑production.
2. Local partnership: Partner with municipal cultural programs to access promotional channels and possible funding.
3. Cross‑media storytelling: Integrate behind‑the‑scenes footage of local landmarks (like the Bernini statue) to enrich narrative cohesion across social media platforms.
4. Audience engagement tools: Use real‑time lyric voting apps to foster interactive performances and generate user‑generated content for post‑event marketing.