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 dedicated to preserving oral traditions, regional languages and the cultural memory of European territories. In this episode, Peire Pessemessa reflects on the situation in Catalonia, connecting contemporary political events with broader questions of language, identity, cultural heritage and the ideas defended by Provençal thinkers such as Frédéric Mistral and François Fontan.
The interview focuses on Peire’s interpretation of the Catalan independence movement and the role of language in shaping collective identity. He argues that many discussions about Catalonia overlook the linguistic and cultural dimensions of the issue, concentrating instead on economic or political aspects. He considers that the weakening or protection of a language is closely linked to historical memory and social cohesion, and he analyses the challenges created by the coexistence of Catalan and Castilian Spanish speakers, particularly in Barcelona.
The final part of the conversation places Catalonia within a wider European context. Peire compares linguistic and national questions in Catalonia with examples such as Belgium, Slovenia and the Baltic countries, where language played a central role in struggles for recognition and independence. He argues that the survival of a language depends on its official status, education and everyday use, while emphasizing that linguistic rights are also connected to cultural belonging and the preservation of a community’s heritage.