GEPO No 02 - Siecle Inconnu - No 2 (7) (bulletin special 1) - dec 1976 (GEPI)

Magazine Overview

Title: SIÈCLE INCONNU
Issue: BULLETIN SPECIAL N°1
Date: December 1976

This special bulletin from SIÈCLE INCONNU, a French publication focused on unusual and unexplained phenomena, presents a diverse range of topics including personal testimonies, scientific inquiries, and observational reports.

Table Turning Experience

The issue begins with a first-person account from a high school student in Roanne detailing her experience with table turning. She describes a session with three friends where the table began to creak and move, responding to questions and even tapping out ages. Despite the experience, the student remains skeptical, attributing the phenomenon to the subconscious influence of the participants. The editorial team encourages readers to share similar personal or anecdotal testimonies.

Medical Healing in Lourdes

A report from Lourdes, published in the Journal de la Grotte and sourced from LE PROGRES, discusses the analysis of a medically inexplicable healing. The case involves M. Serge Porrin, from the diocese of Angers, who experienced a recovery from recurrent organic hemiplegia with ocular lesions and cerebral circulatory problems. The International Committee of Lourdes concluded that the healing was acquired in a highly unusual manner from a medical perspective.

Editorial and Pricing

The "Le petit mois de la rédaction" section addresses the magazine's evolution and pricing. The editors state that the journal must remain dynamic to retain and attract readers, promising modifications in the upcoming issue N°2. They acknowledge that the previous issue had a 5% success rate but served as a valuable lesson. Future issues will feature longer inquiries and information, without compromising quality. The pricing is explained by detailing the production costs per issue, including stencils and photocopies, to justify the prices of 1.40 francs for a normal issue and 3.00 francs for a special issue.

Content of Special Issue N°2

The editorial team highlights the content of the upcoming special issue, which will include the legend of the Easter Bells (summarized by Marie Christine Goutorde), an inédit testimony on table turning by a lyceenne from Roanne, world news briefs, statistics on UFOs (OVNIS), a census of unknown objects (ovnis) with drawings by D Delille, and other launch surprises.

About SIÈCLE INCONNU and GEPI

SIÈCLE INCONNU is described as a review dedicated to the study of unusual phenomena, published by editions LE CENTHORR of GEPI. GEPI is presented as a group of young people, not regulated by the state, whose sole purpose is to inform as many people as possible. Readers are invited to submit articles on current unusual events for free publication, with authors being compensated based on the article's value. Reproduction of published material is prohibited without authorization. Contact information for GEPI is provided: Dominique Delille, ecole publique de garçons, rue des ecoles, 42 470 St Symphorien de Lay (F).

UFO Sightings in Le Velay

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to UFO sightings in the Le Velay region, described as a "new land of election." Several incidents are detailed:

• November 10, 1976: Witnesses in Ally observed a strange, round, orange object in the sky. Inhabitants of a neighboring village, Villeneuve d'Allier, also witnessed the apparition.
• November 11, 1976: Witnesses in Ally observed a strange object.
• December 2, 1976: Witnesses in Ally observed a round or flattened orange object with scintillations, moving slowly and silently. It later appeared as a red ball with green trails. The gendarmerie of Lavoute Chilrac was alerted but the object had disappeared.
• December 3, 1976: In Le Puy, witnesses observed an object with various colors (orange, green, red, flashing yellow) that disappeared quickly. Simultaneously, an automobilist in the Monastier region witnessed the same phenomenon, describing it as zigzagging, while another witness stated it was stationary.
• December 4, 1976: In Loudes, an inhabitant reported a bizarre phenomenon to the gendarmerie, who observed an unusual light, but fog obscured the view.

The article notes the unusual nature of these sightings occurring on Wednesdays and within a similar timeframe. The gendarmerie could not provide a rational explanation, suggesting the possibility of a more "terrifying" phenomenon. The regional newspaper, La Tribune LE PROGRES, is thanked for covering these events in its "Insolite" section.

Communication and Extraterrestrial Contact

An article titled "ALLO, EXTRA-TERRESTRES? GO....!" discusses the growing interest in radio contact with extraterrestrial civilizations. It reports on the creation of a commission by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), supported by the USA and the Soviet Union, to study radio-electrical signals that could be emitted by extraterrestrial civilizations. The commission hopes to determine if artificial signals from unknown planets can be detected.

Environmental Communication

A brief communication notes that the EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) announced that radioactive dust from a recent Chinese nuclear explosion was crossing the Atlantic and over the USA. The EPA indicated that the cloud posed no significant danger due to its high altitude, between 9,000 and 15,000 meters.

Catalog of UFO Objects

Page 8 features a "RECENSEMENT DES OBJETS RÉALISÉ PAR LE GEPI / ÉTUDE" (Census of Objects Compiled by GEPI / Study), presenting a visual catalog of various UFO shapes and types observed, with dates and locations. These include "soucoupe volante," "trinidad brasil 1958," "Saturne (forme)," "cigare," "globe," "cône," and others, with associated years like 1950-54, 1963, 1965, 1952, 1950, 1947, 1948, and 1961.

Library and Science Fiction

Page 9 mentions a library event with Elisabeth Regnault and offers a "BON DE LECTURE GRATUITE" (Free Reading Voucher) for books from the library until January 16, 1977. It also promotes "POSTERS DE SCIENCE FICTION" and the magazine "SCIENCE FICTION magazine." The GEPI edition is offering its publication, COOPERATIVES, for sale.

Astronomy Section

The "ASTRONOMIE GENERALE" section discusses "Les Dimensions de l'Univers." It explains that the universe is vast, with our solar system being a small part of the galaxy, which itself is one of millions of galaxies. The article mentions Alpha Centauri being 43 trillion kilometers away and posits that galaxies are moving apart, with the distance doubling every few billion years. The next article in this series will be on constellations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of SIÈCLE INCONNU are UFOs, paranormal phenomena (table turning), unexplained medical events, and astronomy. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, actively seeking reader contributions and investigating reported anomalies. The magazine aims to inform the public about the unusual and unexplained, while also engaging with scientific and observational data. There is a clear emphasis on documenting eyewitness accounts and exploring phenomena that defy conventional explanations.

This issue of SCIENCE-FICTION magazine presents itself as "une nouvelle vision du futur" (a new vision of the future). It includes a questionnaire for readers and offers a special launch promotion for subscriptions.

Subscription Offers and Library Promotion

The magazine details subscription options, including a 3-month subscription to "Siècle Inconnu" for 4.00 Frs (down from 6.00 Frs), which includes two issues at 1.50 each, a special issue for 3 francs, and a free "nouvelles" bulletin. A 6-month subscription is offered at a special price of 25F, reduced from 48F. To benefit from this offer, readers are instructed to return a completed coupon with their payment to Editions de France at the specified Paris address.

The magazine also heavily promotes its library, which is described as receiving "NOSTRA" and "SIÈCLE INCONNU" magazines weekly, and "LES CAHIERS DE L'ÉTRANGE" and "L'INCONNU" monthly. It also receives the ufology journal "LUMIÈRES DS LA NUIT" and the LDIN group's bulletin. The library boasts a wide selection of science fiction and fantasy novels, as well as scientific books on UFO phenomena, dossiers on mysteries and legends, astronomy, and current issues like nuclear power. It also offers "PREMIERE" (cinematographic reviews) and "VUES NOUVELLES" from LDIN. An annex of the library is opening in Mably, managed by a correspondent named ROANNE 4.

Subscribers to the library receive the catalogue and information sheets free of charge. A catalogue is available for 0.50 Frs instead of 2 Frs until January 16th.

The Legend of the Easter Bells

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to "La légende des cloches de Pâques" (The Legend of the Easter Bells). This article, referencing a broadcast on "le temps de vivre" by Guy Breton, explores historical testimonies of unusual aerial phenomena dating back to the 8th century. These accounts often involved people interpreting sightings as miracles or divine prodigies, leading to various legends.

The legend of the Easter bells suggests that church bells would stop ringing from Holy Thursday to Holy Saturday, with people believing they traveled to Rome. It was also thought that these bells possessed divine power and could move through the air at any time. Eyewitness accounts describe seeing "domes" or "hoods" in the sky, often brilliant and moving at considerable speed. Some reports mention that the ground where these objects landed remained burnt.

The article cites specific historical mentions: a bourgeois from Arras named Jacques Duclerq in 1461 described a round and brilliant object. Guy Breton also references a book of reason by François Laurier from 1602, which speaks of three brilliant balls. The author notes that these phenomena, whether described as bells or extraterrestrial flying saucers, do not appear to be recent.

New Releases

The magazine announces new releases, including "des cassettes fantastiques" (fantastic cassettes) that are musical and fantastical, priced at 9.00 Frs. This new product is launched by "le gepi lance".

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine appears to focus on the intersection of science fiction, unexplained phenomena, and historical mysteries. The editorial stance seems to encourage reader participation through questionnaires and subscriptions, while also promoting a library of related literature. There is a clear interest in historical accounts of unusual sightings, presented alongside contemporary science fiction themes. The promotion of subscriptions and library services suggests an effort to build a community around these topics.