Description :
In this episode of Orality and Humanity, Radio Pays continues its tribute to Justin Laban, a religious figure and one of the important voices in the preservation of Béarnaise culture and language. Through his memories, he shares personal experiences from his youth, including the difficult period of the Second World War. He recalls being a young man confronted with the threat of being sent to Germany during the Nazi occupation and describes the atmosphere of fear, uncertainty and adaptation that marked those years.
The interview then explores his experiences after the war, particularly his military service and his involvement in rural and agricultural movements. Justin Laban explains how these experiences opened his eyes to new forms of organisation, cooperation and social commitment. He describes his encounters with rural communities, the importance of collective life, and the role of movements such as the Christian Agricultural Youth in strengthening bonds between young people, families and villages.
The final part of the episode focuses on his attachment to rural life, farming traditions and the transformation of the countryside. Through his memories of agricultural development and encounters with farmers and public figures, Justin Laban reflects on the balance between modernisation and the preservation of rural values. His testimony highlights the importance of human relationships, local knowledge and oral transmission as essential elements of cultural identity and collective memory.