The Occitan Latin Idea Between Tradition and Modernity, 1870s-1880s

Abstract

This article discusses the dual facets of Latinity—traditionalism and modernity—within the Occitan context in the late nineteenth century. It investigates how cultural Occitanism, a movement dedicated to the promotion of the Occitan language and literature, played a crucial role in fostering pan-Latin networks. These networks were solidified through cultural and literary events, notably the Latin celebrations in Avignon (1874), Montpellier (1878), and Forcalquier and Gap (1882). The article examines the aspirations, shared values, and inherent contradictions that characterized the Occitan Latin idea in the 1870s and 1880s. Beginning with an overview of mid-nineteenth-century efforts to promote the Latin idea, the study places these initiatives within the wider context of modern pan-movements. It traces the origins of the Occitan Latin idea, from Víctor Balaguer’s exile in Provence to the Latin-themed events of the era. The focus then shifts to the contributions of three prominent félibres from Languedoc: Louis-Xavier de Ricard, Charles de Tourtoulon, and Alphonse Roque-Ferrier. These félibres championed the Latin idea and worked to build a pan-Latin community against the background of the political and intellectual debates about Latinity at the time. By examining the intersection of cultural Occitanism with these debates, the article underscores the role of literary and cultural initiatives in shaping and advancing Latinity, revealing the close interaction between tradition and modernity in its evolution.