Description :
This episode of the Orality and Humanity programme on Radio País is part of the European project Tramontana Network (Réseau Tramontana / Tramontana Network), co-financed by the European Union, which aims to preserve and promote the cultural, linguistic and human heritage of European territories through oral testimonies. In this broadcast, the programme pays tribute to Justin Laban, a man devoted to religious life, knowledge and sharing, whose personal journey reflects the importance of education, memory and the transmission of experiences between generations.
Justin Laban recalls his childhood education, his discovery of French at school, and the importance of learning languages and literature throughout his life. He describes his years in the seminary of Bayonne, where he developed friendships, discovered Basque culture, exchanged stories and travelled through mountain villages, meeting local communities and learning from their ways of life. His testimony reveals a deep curiosity for history, languages and human relationships, showing how encounters with different cultures can enrich personal understanding and collective memory.
The episode also highlights Justin Laban’s passion for writing, reading and preserving the stories of rural life. Influenced by literature, poetry and historical research, he sought to record the experiences of farmers, young people and communities shaped by the realities of the 20th century. Through his words, the programme presents oral history as a bridge between past and present, where individual memories become part of a wider cultural heritage. His testimony embodies the values of Orality and Humanity: generosity, knowledge sharing and respect for the people and territories that create Europe’s living heritage.