Description :
As part of the European project Tramontana Network (Réseau Tramontana), co-funded by the European Union, this episode of Radio País explores the oral memories, languages and cultural practices of rural communities. Recorded in Castell de Candau, in the Béarn region, the programme presents the testimony of Jacques Biela, a farmer whose life reflects the transformations of rural society, the preservation of local knowledge and the relationship between people, land and language.
Jacques Biela describes his lifelong connection with agriculture, his decision to remain attached to the family farm, and the different experiences that shaped his path, including military service, work in industry and his return to farming. Through his memories, he recalls the evolution of rural life, the arrival of mechanisation, the replacement of traditional tools and animals by tractors, and the skills transmitted through generations, from farming techniques to craftsmanship and manual work.
The conversation also highlights the importance of Occitan language and local identity. Jacques reflects on dialect diversity in the region, the role of cultural initiatives such as Occitan schools and singing groups, and the value of preserving linguistic heritage. His testimony reveals how oral traditions, place names, agricultural practices and everyday knowledge form a living cultural landscape that connects past and present generations.