Two cultural associations defending the Occitan language celebrated minority languages and cultures, under the aegis of the late artist and lover of dialects, Ben, on the day of the Occitan National Festival in Nice.
A curious gathering took place on June 17 at 10 a.m. on Garibaldi Square, in front of the monument « Art » created by Benjamin Vautier, better known for his writings under the name “Ben”. On the occasion of the Fèsta Nacionala Occitana (Occitan National Festival), the cultural organizations República de Nissa and República Federala Occitana combined a tribute to the Occitan language and one of its most fervent ambassadors, artist Ben, as well as his wife Annie. The event was also broadcast live on the web radio Nissa Pantai.
Before a sparse gathering, the Nice native Cristoù Daurore, professor of Nissart and president of the República de Nissa association, spoke in Nissart to celebrate minority Occitan languages, as well as to pay tribute to his long-time friend, who had passed away two years earlier. His lectern reproducing Ben’s handwriting, as well as the Occitan flag with the seven-pointed star, proudly hung on the work, attracted the curiosity of passersby.
Between two speeches and the broadcast of an interview with Ben urging to “fight for cultural decentralization”, the participants sang in turn the melody of the Italian revolutionary song “Bella Ciao” in tribute to Annie Vautier, then the Nice anthem “Nissa la Bella”.
A gathering spontaneously joined by Sacha, a student in hypokhâgne at Masséna high school who was passing by. Passionate about Occitan and minority languages, the 19-year-old young man exchanged in Nissart with the organizers before being warmly welcomed into the heart of the mobilization: “I didn’t know there was a gathering, but seeing it gave me hope (…) Those who defend regional languages are resistants. Passing them on is not simply a matter of folklore (…) They are riches to transmit, languages of the future that will open professional opportunities” declared the enthusiastic student. The next generation is assured.
A “committed man”
He who dreamed of seeing walk around Nice, on the Promenade des Anglais, the choir of “three hundred groups of Occitan music”, in the style of interceltique music, worked for a long time for the defense of minority Occitan languages and cultures. According to the organizers, Ben was “a committed man”, who always supported “all minoritized or oppressed languages such as the Occitan language and its Nissart dialect”. In 2017, he was even appointed adviser on foreign affairs for the organization República Federala Occitana.
On June 5, 2024, the artist took his own life following the sudden death of his wife and life partner for over sixty years, Annie. Nearly two years after their deaths, the gathering also served to pay tribute to him for the entirety of his work.
NicePremium is a free, independent local news outlet.
Help us keep going by supporting our work from €5 per month.
