This Monday afternoon, the Château Fleuri establishment lived a moment rich in emotions and memories during a literary meeting organized around the work Souvenirs du Gersof the author Pierre Dupouy. An initiative carried by the host Patricia Lafon.
In the large room nicely fitted out for the occasion, the residents were gathered around the director of the establishment, Béatrice Cabannes, the president, Pierre Antonello, members of the board of directors, loyal volunteers and several staff members. All came to listen to Pierre Dupouy, author attached to his terroir, came to share a section of rural memory through stories imbued with heat, solidarity and humor.
The president of Château Fleuri, Pierre Antonello, opened the meeting by welcoming the presence of the author and emphasizing the scope of his work. “” Souvenirs du Gers evokes an era when, despite the difficulties, life had a particular taste. It is a book that makes you want to find certain values: simplicity, mutual aid, conviviality. »»
Before giving the word to the writer, his daughter presented the genesis of the book, the fruit of the collection of family and popular memories.
Pierre Dupouy then spoke with simplicity and passion. He told some of the stories that are found in his work: vigiles of yesteryear where we told witch legends, harvest shared between neighbors, or even tasty anecdotes like that of a traveler cod or a mousseilons picking … oil! Through these stories, he highlighted the values of solidarity and sharing that structured life in the Gers countryside.
The public was particularly receptive. Several residents testified to their attachment to the book, which they had read upstream. “A simple but not simplistic text, full of authenticity and pleasant to read,” it was able to hear.
A resident of Breton origin underlined the universality of rural stories: “What we lived in my house in Brittany looked like Pierre Dupouy said. Even if the words were different, the mind was the same. Others have mentioned their own memories, fed on daily gestures, forgotten scents and gascon words from another time.
A particularly touching moment occurred when the author found two childhood friends, Maria and Raoul, with whom he once made the way to the school on foot.
The session ended with a dedication of the works and a snack prepared with care by residents and volunteers. Patricia proposed a delicious cocktail based on Floc de Gascogne, while Christiane, a volunteer, had cooked old -fashioned waffles and the residents a gourmet Millasson. A much appreciated moment of conviviality, like the spirit of the day.
This literary meeting is part of a broader desire to bring culture to life within the establishment, to promote human exchanges and to enhance life paths.
Patricia planned Pierre Dupouy’s return soon around a literary café.
