For the fifth time, the municipality led by Doctor Gastaud organized this festival where cattle, sheep, and farm products are presented to the public to showcase the farmers’ way of life.
The Brigasque sheep were, of course, in the place of honor. The farmers’ market with agricultural, beekeeping, olive, and cheese products offered a varied selection of local products. Craftsmanship was not forgotten, featuring woolwork. In the morning, a ‘fashion’ parade showcased very original local creations made of wool. No festival is complete without music, songs, and dances.
Numerous groups brought the tent and the village to life. Two were particularly notable among the many attendees: SUONI ERRANTI, an Italian group that enlivened the stage with its songs and tarantellas, and the second: CAPAÏCI, an Occitan group from Millau. Edouardo Tomaselli’s photo exhibition opened the picture book of shepherds. Black and white photos, emphasizing contrasts, depicted life in the mountain pastures. The photos were captioned with wise maxims: “The real savages? … They are in the city.” Or another that sums it all up: “I prefer to look towards the sky.”
These simple phrases teach us the secret of happiness, which is far removed from a world trapped in the consumption of the unnecessary. A film illustrated the problem of the wolf preying on the farmers. The festival concluded with the descent of the herds, returning from the mountain pastures, “the butter will no longer be yellow, but white,” my grandmother would say.
It was another time, another era, and this festival allows us to relive a few snippets of it. The dances and songs attracted the young, a testament to a search for roots and the past.
The festival is over, the sheep have returned to the livestock trailers. The sky bids farewell in its own way with a slight drizzle. We are setting an appointment for the 6th edition, letting the herds return to their barns for the winter.
Thierry Jan
