Description :
This programme from Radio País is part of the European Tramontana Network (Réseau Tramontana / Tramontana Network), a project co-funded by the European Union that aims to preserve oral traditions, regional languages and the cultural heritage of European mountain territories. In this episode, the testimony of Peire Pessemessa explores his lifelong commitment to Provençal culture, his relationships with the major figures of the Félibrige and Occitanist movements, and his belief in the importance of passing linguistic and cultural knowledge from one generation to the next.
Peire recalls his academic and professional journey, beginning with his studies in German and his career as a German teacher in France and Germany. He explains that, during the 1950s, he was invited to teach Provençal at a teacher-training school, following the introduction of regional language teaching initiatives. Although he later became a hotelier and restaurateur, he continued to promote Provençal through writing, cultural activities and personal commitment. He also reflects on the difficulties of teaching a regional language in schools, where younger generations did not always perceive its value.
The final part of the interview focuses on the themes of transmission and heritage. Peire emphasizes that maintaining a language depends on families, education and the willingness to share knowledge with younger generations. He speaks proudly of his children learning and using Provençal and highlights the role of schools such as the Calandreta in supporting linguistic renewal. For him, protecting language is inseparable from protecting the identity, history and landscapes of Provence, ensuring that cultural heritage remains alive for future generations.