March that withers a lot ongan, delays for nautres a month of memory of oc.
It is made every year as a pilgrimage on March 16 in Montsegur to keep alive the memory of that day in 1244 when the last defenders of the Cathars capitulated. They went to the so-called “Field of the Burned” where 215 “heretics” were tortured with the gentle methods that religion sanctifies. That’s where the fold of religious terror has disappeared. herein to celebrate an idea, that of freedom of conscience, and the values of the society of that time. And to mention the infinite cruelty of “an extermination and a continuous terror of almost a century” as acknowledged by Ernest Renan, who was very much a friend of the Southerners. The European importance of these events, Simona Weil says in an admirable bias in “L’inspiration Occitane” which is readily and easily available in a booklet from Edicions de l’Eclat. Also at sea, on the 25th, other pilgrims will go to Malhana to honor the great Mistral. He made a strong link between his action for the renaissance of this and the time of the troubadours and the destruction of their civilization that spread throughout Europe. For him, the portaira ecòr of culture, will allow the reviving of the values and sense of that time.
“Because of morre-bordon that a pòble tombe esclau,
He has his tongue, he has the key
That you give chains will loosen it.”
French translation
MONTSEGUR MISTRAL
The month of March, which does very little of its office of showers this year, remains for us a month of memory of oc.
It is done every year as a pilgrimage on March 16 to Montsegur to keep alive the memory of that day in 1244 when the last defenders of the Cathars capitulated. They went to the aptly named “Camp dels Cremats” (Field of the Burned) where 215 “heretics” were tortured with the gentle methods that religion sanctifies. Alas the fold of religious terror has not disappeared. They will be there to celebrate an idea, that of freedom of conscience, and the values of the Oc society of that time. And recall the infinite cruelty “of an extermination and a terror continued for nearly a century” as recognized by Ernest Renan who was however very little friend of the southerners. The European importance of these events is described admirably by Simone Weil in “L’Inspiration Occitane” which is fortunately and easily available in a small book from Éditions de l’Éclat.
Also in March, on the 25th, other pilgrims will go to Maillane to honor the great Mistral. He made a very strong link between his action for the renaissance of oc and the time of the troubadours and the crushing of their civilization which radiated throughout Europe. For him, the carrier language and heart of the culture will allow the renewal of the values and the spirit of that time.
“For face down, let a people fall enslaved
If he holds his tongue, he holds the key
Who from his chains will deliver him. “
