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 seeks to promote the linguistic, cultural and human heritage of European mountain territories through oral testimonies. In this episode, the programme continues its conversation with a man deeply committed to the preservation and revival of Béarnais and Gascon culture, highlighting his lifelong work in favour of the Occitan language and its transmission.
The interview focuses on the question of linguistic unity and diversity within Occitan. The speaker rejects the idea that a living language must be identical everywhere, emphasising instead that its richness comes from its different local forms, expressions and ways of conveying emotions. He recalls his involvement in cultural initiatives, teaching activities and language promotion, describing the challenges faced by activists who worked to create spaces where people could learn, speak and value their regional language.
The programme also explores the role of writing, literature and the media in keeping Occitan alive in the contemporary world. The speaker explains the importance of creating modern texts, poetry and journalism in the language of the territory, allowing it to express feelings, ideas and current realities rather than remaining only a language of the past. Through his testimony, the episode presents language as a living heritage that requires commitment, creativity and collective effort to be passed on to future generations.