Description :
This episode of the Radio Pais podcast, produced as part of the European Rede Tramontana project (co-funded by the European Union), presents the testimony of Henriette, a resident of the small village of Clarac in Bigorre. Through her life story, the programme explores the close relationship between personal memory, rural identity and the Occitan language, while also highlighting distinctive linguistic features of her speech, including traditional verb forms and local pronunciation.
Henriette recalls the loss of her husband to cancer and reflects on the profound attachment she has always felt towards her village. Although she once dreamed of pursuing a different career, the disruptions caused by the Second World War and the realities of rural life shaped her future. Her testimony illustrates how individual lives are deeply influenced by historical events, family circumstances and attachment to place.
The conversation also turns to memories of village life during and after the war, including clandestine dances, music, festivities and everyday hardships. Through Henriette’s authentic and spontaneous narration, the episode preserves valuable oral heritage, documenting not only local traditions and collective memories but also the emotions and resilience of a generation whose experiences form an important part of the cultural landscape of southern France.