Description :
This episode of Orality and Humanity was produced by Radio País as part of the European Tramontana Network (Réseau Tramontana / Tramontana Network) project, co-funded by the European Union, which documents and preserves Europe’s oral heritage through the voices and memories of local communities. In this edition, the programme continues its conversation with Elia, a rural resident from the Lourdes region, whose reflections are inspired by the social mobilisations of the Yellow Vests movement and their demands for greater dialogue between citizens and public authorities.
During the interview, Elia expresses his frustration with political promises that remain unfulfilled and argues that elected representatives should respond more directly to people’s immediate needs. He reflects on environmental concerns, social inequalities and the importance of acting for the common good, while insisting that public policies should remain closely connected to everyday life in rural communities. Throughout the discussion, he repeatedly calls for honesty, responsibility and practical solutions instead of empty rhetoric.
The conversation also turns to the role of the media in covering social protest. Elia questions the neutrality of television news and suggests that journalists often fail to represent ordinary citizens fairly. The programme concludes by presenting his testimony as an example of free and spontaneous oral expression, illustrating how individual experience contributes to a broader understanding of contemporary society and reinforcing the importance of preserving these voices as part of Europe’s shared cultural heritage.