The Nissart and Alpine languages are part of the Occitan language family (present in 4 European countries, 33 departments in France, 14 valleys in Italy, one valley in Catalonia, and Monaco), thus making this language not just regional but truly international, with more than an estimated 3 million speakers.
Cristou Daurore is the president of the association and explains the purpose of this return to tradition: “We also teach the history of our region, which is still very little known, along with its customs and traditions (whether it’s singing, dancing, cooking, clothing, architecture, the carnival, local sports, festivals…) but also the influences of languages and peoples who have interacted with or are interacting with our ‘país’.”
The 11 courses in Nissart, Pelhonenc, Coarasier (Alpine Occitan), and Russian in Nissart are offered by Nissa Pantai across 10 locations (in 4 municipalities: Nissa, La Ternitat Victor, Pelhon, and Coarasa):
- at the AnimaNice Cimiez Center, AnimaNice Costanzo Center, EDHEC Business School, AnimaNice St Antoine Center, Nissa Pantai, Russian in Nissart courses at Nissa Pantai, Pelhonenc courses in Pelhon (Peillon), at La Ternitat Victor (La Trinité), at Cimiez Hospital (pArtAges), at the Departmental House for Seniors, Coarasier courses in Coarasa (Coaraze), with classes starting in October (monthly courses) at the Sundial Hall, plaça dal Portail Coarasa.
The Nissart language is also taught at the Sasserno primary school in Nissa for students in CM1 and CM2, as well as at the public primary schools of La Ternitat Victor (La Trinité).
Moreover, to allow these students to put these teachings into practice, the association has created these 10 activities:
- an internet radio in Nissart and Alpine (òc): Radio Nissa Pantai www.nissapantai.com
- a theater troupe in Nissart (òc): La Chorma Nissa Pantai (with a premiere scheduled for October 8 at the Francis Gag Theater)
- 4 traditional Occitan dance classes for children and adults at AnimaNice Costanzo, Pasteur, and Django Reinhardt (Ariane)
- a music workshop (hurdy-gurdy), with the creation in April 2017 of the group Les Vielles Nissardes.
- a guided tour service of Nissa in Nissart (òc) (7 routes in Nissa)
- a Carneval workshop, with the construction of floats (since 1999), training for the Palhasso throw for the World Championship, organizing the Independent Carnival…
- a Nissarda cooking workshop conducted in Nissart (òc) for over 4 years.
The demand from the inhabitants of Nissa and the surrounding villages is increasingly strong to reclaim the language and culture of their city and their ‘país’.
This dynamic has supported the opening of a bilingual class (French-Nissart òc) in September 2013 (a second in 2015 and a third in 2017), the previous bilingual school called Calandreta Niçarda operated from 2002 to 2010 in Drap and Nissa.
Finally, on Sunday, October 8 at 3 PM at the Francis Gag Theater, the 20th Fèsta d’Occitània de Nissa (dance, music, theater) will be organized.
