Description :
This episode of Radio País, produced within the framework of the European Tramontana Network, explores the notion of intangible cultural heritage through a conversation with anthropologist Mathilde Lamotte from the University of Pau. The discussion is set in Gascogne and the Pyrenean region, highlighting how European cooperation supports research into living traditions, local knowledge, and cultural practices that define regional identities.
Mathilde Lamotte explains the concept of intangible cultural heritage as defined by UNESCO, focusing on practices, skills, and know-how that are transmitted between generations and constantly evolving. Rather than monuments or objects, this heritage is understood as “living culture,” shaped by communities and expressed through games, rituals, pastoral practices, and ways of life. The episode emphasizes how these practices contribute to a sense of identity and continuity within local groups.
The interview also addresses the role of fieldwork and participatory anthropology in understanding these cultural dynamics. Through examples such as traditional games and transhumance in the Pyrenees, Lamotte illustrates how researchers engage directly with communities to observe transformations in rural life. The discussion highlights both the fragility and resilience of these practices in the face of social, legal, and environmental changes.