Description :
This episode of Orality and Humanity is dedicated to the memory of Justin Laban, a major figure in the defence of the Béarnaise language and culture. Through an archival interview, Radio Pays invites listeners to rediscover his life journey, his memories and his commitment to oral transmission. Justin Laban recalls his childhood, his education and the importance of local relationships, where the Béarnaise language was a natural means of communication and a fundamental element of community life.
The conversation explores his encounters with different cultures and his experience of travelling to Israel through a study trip organised by the Rural Family Movement. He describes his discovery of the kibbutz system, the collective organisation of work, agricultural practices and the social values he observed there. These memories reveal his curiosity towards other ways of living while also highlighting the importance of dialogue between cultures and the exchange of experiences.
The episode concludes with reflections on language, identity and the transmission of knowledge. Justin Laban emphasises that a language is not only a tool for communication but also a way of expressing feelings, memories and a relationship with a territory. Through his testimony, the programme underlines the importance of preserving oral traditions and local languages as living expressions of humanity, solidarity and rural heritage.