The idea of torture often evokes images of immediate and brutal violence. Yet some of the most dreadful tortures ever devised rely on natural, soft, everyday elements. The drip-drip of water falling on the skull of a bound prisoner is one such example. Bamboo growing under another. These methods are based on slow repetition, on … Read more
Collective and Participatory Volunteering Event: Spring Camptier at Ermitaj 10–17 May 2025 Spring has shaken up our plans… and brought a fresh wave of energy! We warmly invite you to join us for an intense week of collective living, hands-on work, learning, and play, in the heart of nature. What is a camptier? A camptier … Read more
During the semi-annual gathering of the Belgian permaculture network Permanant, last March, we were offered a short training by Antoine Clin on slugs. A subject that fascinates Antoine so much that he devoted his PhD thesis to it. He talked to us about the role of slugs in nature, their life cycles, and strategies for … Read more
This article was inspired by a discussion at a bar I had years ago with a civil engineer. He saw no point in worrying about ecology because, according to him, everything eventually “disappears” anyway. He backed up his argument by explaining the concept of entropy. To which I replied: okay, everything falls apart, sure—but why … Read more
As part of the Communities for Climate (C4C) program, Ermitaj Malin is organizing a free event from April 10 to 12, open to everyone, focused on the Jean Pain method. This gathering follows the arboriculture course taking place from April 5 to 9. Together, we will build a brushwood compost heap that will allow us … Read more
Applying clay plaster is healthy, fun, aesthetic, ecological, and… (almost) free! Using an easily accessible raw material, you can create surfaces that suit you by experimenting with shapes, textures, and colors. While the theory is relatively simple to grasp, practical application requires experience. And what better place to learn than Ermitaj? A space dedicated to … Read more
Imagine a landscape where water is managed wisely, where soils are fertile and teeming with life, and where biodiversity thrives. This is not a utopia but a reality we can create through Keyline Design—an ingenious approach that aligns perfectly with the philosophy of permaculture. A Bit of History: P.A. Yeomans, a Visionary Pioneer In the … Read more
Date: June 29 – July 12, 2025 The Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course follows an internationally recognized curriculum and offers you a unique combination of theory and practice, taught by Cristina Colis, an experienced and passionate trainer. This is the third edition of the course taught by Cristina at Ermitaj and the fifth PDC organized … Read more
Two gardening courses will be organized at Ermitaj this year. They correspond to the critical periods for implementing a vegetable garden. Late April, when the soil is usually dry enough to allow for planting all non-frost-sensitive crops, and late May, when planting sun-loving vegetables is no longer at risk of nighttime frosts. This year’s format … Read more
Join us this April 2025 for an engaging and practical training on arboriculture and forestry, led by experienced professionals Adrian Florea and Bogdan Suliman. This course will equip you with essential skills and knowledge for safely working with trees, focusing on dangerous tree removal and proper pruning techniques. Course Details The training is split into … Read more