The association
Founded in October 1979, our association works for the preservation and the promotion of the occitan cultural heritage.
Our activities cover different fields: research, preservation and documentation, publication and distribution, training and creation.
Research
Our association leads important work carrying out research in the fields of ethnology and ethnomusicology mainly in Occitania, not only studying Occitan communities but also migrant ones. We also carry out research in Portugal, Brazil and other countries around the world.
Preservation and documentation
Our information centre gathers together all of the digitised documentary collections (about 7 000 hours of sound recordings, 40 000 pictures, audiovisual documents and manuscripts) as well as numerous published books and phonograms dealing with minorized cultures and oral traditions around the world. The whole documentary collection is catalogued, computerised and available to be consulted by all.
Publishing and distribution
Parallel to its research, the association has produced numerous publications, particularly within the collection “Mémoires sonores,” which now includes more than sixty works: cassettes, books, box sets, compact discs, films, CD-ROMS…
They are available in a bilingual format (French/Occitan) and greatly contribute to the diffusion of Occitan culture. Other collections of books and CDs have also been created, such as Cosina Nòstra (books of Occitan recipes), “Actes de colloque“, “Virolet” (musical tales for children), and the La Talvera collection (CDs of the group).
See all the catalog [FR].
Training
Our association offers activities aimed at children, training workshops dedicated to learning the Occitan language, dances, singing, musical instruments. It also offers lectures, colloquia on themes linked to its research, as well as several exhibitions on various themes. In 2011, our association acquired an additional building called l’Ostalon which allows it to house groups for school activities, colloquia and lectures. It is also a place for exhibitions and an information centre open to the public.
Read more about animations [FR].
Read more about lectures [FR].
Read more about exhibitions [FR].
Creation
While thoroughly exploring the traditional Occitan repertoire, the music group La Talvera also works on the creation of a musical and poetical repertoire rooted in the present day. Alongside singing, the musicians mostly play the “craba” (a type of bagpipe from the Montagne Noire region) the “graile” (an oboe from the Monts de Lacaune area), the fife, the clarinet…
Shop
Open all year round (23 Grand rue de l’Horloge, 81 170 Cordes sur Ciel)
Schedule :
– from monday to friday : 9h-13h, 14h-18h (winter) or 19h (summer)
– saturday : 9h-13h, 14h-18h (winter) ou 10h-13h, 14h-19h (summer)
– sunday (summer and school holidays) : 10h-13h, 14h-19h