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 seeks to preserve oral heritage, regional languages and the personal memories of European communities. In this episode, the guest Joan Larzac shares his life story, his relationship with the Occitan language and culture, and the experiences that shaped his commitment to defending regional identity and heritage.
The interview begins with Joan Larzac explaining the origin of his chosen name. Born with the surname Roqueta, he adopted “Larzac” because there were already many writers with the same family name in Occitan literary circles. He recalls choosing the name while studying in Paris, inspired by a map of Occitania, and explains that the name later became strongly associated with the struggles surrounding the Larzac plateau, particularly the opposition to the expansion of a military camp and the social movements of the 1970s and early 1980s.
The conversation then turns to Joan’s family background and childhood. He describes his parents’ origins in the Aveyron region, their working lives and the rural environment in which he grew up. He remembers the transformation of local spaces and symbols, including changes in village landmarks and public life. Through these memories, Joan Larzac presents a personal account of how family history, local territory and the Occitan language are closely connected, showing how cultural identity is built through places, stories and transmission between generations.