Description :
This episode of the Radio Pais podcast is part of the European project Tramontana Network (Réseau Tramontana in French), co-financed by the European Union, which brings together partners from different European mountain territories to collect, preserve and disseminate the oral, linguistic and cultural heritage of rural communities. In this programme, the host continues the conversation with Jean-Paul Ferré, representative of the association Estostau Comengés, focusing on the work carried out over more than a decade to document the voices, memories and traditions of the people of Comminges and Couserans.
Jean-Paul Ferré explains how the association developed its documentary work, producing films and organising public screenings to give visibility to local knowledge, languages and ways of life. He highlights the importance of collective support, local partnerships and European cooperation in enabling these initiatives to continue. Through the Tramontana Network, the experience of Comminges and Couserans is connected with other mountain regions in Europe, revealing shared traditions, common challenges and the importance of protecting cultural diversity in the face of social and linguistic change.
The discussion also explores the human dimension of this work: the relationships created with the people interviewed, the trust required to collect their testimonies and the value of transmitting these memories to future generations. Jean-Paul Ferré emphasises that the aim is not only to preserve archives, but also to create educational and cultural resources that can be used in schools and communities. The programme concludes by presenting the ambition to continue sharing these collections through pedagogical tools, strengthening the links between heritage, identity and European solidarity.