Rencontres Ufologiques - 2013 08 30 - No 003

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Les Informations du jour des Rencontres Ufologiques" (News of the Day from Ufological Encounters), dated August 30, 2013, is a private information note from the Ufological Encounters and Mufon France, distributed freely to recipients of their information. The publication focuses on UFO-related news and activities, featuring articles on significant sightings, the growth of ufological communities, and the work of relevant organizations.

OVNI in China

The lead article details a massive UFO sighting in China on July 24, 1981, described as the most impressive in history. Nearly a million Chinese citizens across ten provinces, including Tibet, Sichuan, Qinghai, Gansu, Guizhou, Hubei, Henan, Guangxi, Yunnan, Shaanxi, and Shanxi, reportedly witnessed the phenomenon. It was also observed by meteorologists and astronomers. A specific account from Xichang in Sichuan province describes about 300 people witnessing a UFO moving from the northwest to the southwest during an outdoor film. The crowd rushed to see the object, which disappeared after one minute. The event caused a sensation in China, with surprising information emerging that the UFO had also appeared in the United States. The article notes that while it's uncertain if it was the same object, its sighting by numerous people in China is confirmed. It references Chinese websites like http://www.ttufo.com/ for information on UFOs in China, suggesting that exotic UFO literature from Western countries is known in China, often presented sensationally. The author implies that while the information itself might not be groundbreaking, deeper investigation reveals the phenomenon's presence in China, though few serious articles are translated.

The Ufological Cafe of Valencia, Spain Joins the Ufological Encounters Platform

This section announces the expansion of the Ufological Cafes, initiated in Argentina by Professor Ruben Morales, to Spain. Luis Pisu has established the first Ufological Cafe in Valencia, Spain, which has been operational for two months and is attracting increasing numbers of participants. The Valencia Ufological Cafes meet on the first Thursday of each month from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM at the Restaurant Jonamar, Carrera de Mallila 82, 46026 Valencia, Spain. Entry is free and no reservation is required, following the model of the Argentinian Ufological Cafes. A blog (http://cafeovnivalencia.wordpress.com/) and a Facebook page have been created to publicize the cafe's activities, announce its program, and share general information.

Joël Mesnard's Conference in Hyères Near Toulon

A large audience attended a conference in Hyères, South East France, given by Joël Mesnard, director of the review "Lumières dans la Nuit." Mesnard is described as an exceptional orator with nearly 50 years of experience investigating ufology, having participated in the investigation of most historical cases and being a confidant to many witnesses of unidentified aerospace phenomena. He has spoken about his investigations at sites like Valensole (where a farmer observed an object on the ground on July 1, 1965) and Carouble, where Marius Dewilde saw an object on train tracks. Mesnard also discussed the "men in black" phenomenon, on which he has extensively investigated in France. The audience applauded his intervention, and the article recommends meeting him if he visits your region. The photo accompanying this section shows Jean Charles Hild, Joël Mesnard, Gilbert Attard, Monique Aubergier, and Michel B.

Working Meeting Near Nice Between the Director of International Relations MUFON France and the Director of MUFON Italy

John Tomlinson, Director of International Relations for MUFON France, is actively working to expand MUFON France's international reach. He has established relations with the USA (facilitating the visit of the MUFON USA Director to France and François Louange's participation in the International MUFON Congress in Los Angeles) and Canada (arranging Gildas Bourdais' appearance on a TV show). He has also engaged with MUFON Germany, including interviews with Professor Illobrand von Ludwiger. On August 27, 2013, a meeting took place with Edouardo Russo, national director of MUFON Italy, near Nice. This working meeting, described as consolidating "more than friendly relations," took place over a meal and concluded at Tomlinson's home. The article highlights the numerous daily exchanges within MUFON France's management, involving 20-30 emails to make decisions and manage the organization. Tomlinson has been granted significant freedom to propose and prepare collaboration agreements for the study of the UFO phenomenon, mutual development of MUFON France and Italy, and sharing of resources. These agreements will be finalized by Jacques Patenet, National Director of MUFON France. The meeting is seen as having significantly strengthened the bond between MUFON France and MUFON Italy, paving the way for future practical agreements.

Regarding the Diffusion of Stéphane Allix's "Enquêtes Extraordinaires"

Stéphane Allix's documentary series "Enquêtes Extraordinaires" (Extraordinary Investigations) has generally satisfied the ufological community and those interested in the unusual. A key reason cited is the absence of debates with incompetent personalities who often pollute the presentation of UFO and unusual phenomena. However, the article notes that the investigations focus more on witnesses and less on scientific input, which is seen as a missed opportunity to lend more credibility. The author feels the series might accept everything without reservation and is oriented, lacking impartiality, which could be a disadvantage. The article discusses the audience numbers for the series on M6, noting a decline from the first episode (1.74 million viewers for "Energies that cross our homes") to the last (350,000 viewers for "Contacts with extraterrestrials"). This decline is attributed partly to the late hour and the subject matter not captivating the audience. The article clarifies that this is not Stéphane Allix's fault but affects public perception. M6's market share was only 8.9% during primetime, placing it third. The first episode is described as "hardly a seller" and "not the best," suggesting it should have been programmed later. While the series presented a wide range of topics and new information for the public, some may find it repetitive. The lack of scientific analysis and researcher viewpoints is criticized, potentially giving the impression that the series caters to charlatans. The article praises Allix for his ability to present the UFO phenomenon acceptably and for avoiding sensationalist topics that often lack substance and discredit the UFO subject. A drawback mentioned is the lack of reference to the contributors to the documentary, making it seem as if Stéphane Allix was solely responsible for the research. The article concludes that the series is beneficial for raising public awareness about UFOs, offering a global, non-polarized approach that avoids extreme skepticism.

Investigator Training Courses Are Being Developed – The Training Plan is Now Online!

MUFON France has launched a program of courses to train investigators on the UFO phenomenon. The existing course material is being revised, and the first investigators enrolled will soon access the introductory courses. Information for this training is continuously updated with new documents. The article criticizes previous reports for lacking essential information, making them unexploitable for analysis. The objectives of this training include limiting such descriptions, improving the quality of published reports, and making them more substantial and interesting to the public, thereby improving the perception of the UFO dossier. The complete training plan, consisting of 13 courses, is available online on the MUFON France website. The courses cover topics such as investigation methodology, data collection, witness interviews, case characterization, and the use of Google Earth in investigations. Upon completion, an attestation of formation will be issued. Interested individuals are invited to contact the national investigation department of MUFON France at [email protected] for more information. The article reassures potential participants that the training, though potentially long and complicated, is supported by the DNE MUFON France, with no imposed rhythm, allowing individuals to take their time.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue consistently promotes ufology as a serious field of study, emphasizing the importance of rigorous investigation and accurate reporting. The publication highlights international collaboration within ufological organizations like MUFON and encourages public engagement through initiatives like Ufological Cafes and training programs. There is a clear stance against sensationalism and unsubstantiated claims, favoring evidence-based approaches and credible research. The editorial stance supports the dissemination of information to a wider audience to foster a better understanding of the UFO phenomenon, while also advocating for the professionalization of UFO investigation through structured training and the sharing of knowledge.