If, for the natives of Ribère-Ousse, but also of Batbielle and surrounding areas, the country of Garue is not quite “terra incognita”, there was however a lack of an account of its legends and other stories.
The oversight has been corrected: the association Notre Histoire entre Sausse et Lagoin, which operates in the communes of Saint-Vincent and Labatmale, has come, at the right time, to offer a work to fill the gaps in the great history and add its spice to the immemorial sayings which circulate in families.
Its title: “The Tales of Garue – Legends and other lies from the countries of Ribère-Ousse and surrounding areas” (1).
True stories and lies
Its author, Patrick Charpentier, did not have to dig too deep to unearth some old stuff to tell, a mixture of true stories and lies. He just had to listen to the Ourou and the Sausse, look at the sky of this corner of Béarn and smell the wind of yesteryear that still intrudes between the trees and the old walls. A few more grains of mischief and the farce was done.
In addition, readings of some of the tales from this work will be offered throughout the fall in the various surrounding communes in the country of Garue.
A project for 2025
In addition to this work of pure fiction, the association Notre Histoire entre Sausse et Lagoin is already thinking about this theme of Garue to propose, during 2025, an animation which will highlight and put into images the history of this region and its disappeared communities.
Like the mirrors of a kaleidoscope, historical facts will be interspersed between other fairies and gestures, more playful, poetic and artistic, which will brighten up, for one evening, the old country of Garue.
(1) The book is available from the association (contact: 06 63 21 53 25) or from the Aux Variétés tobacconist’s in Pontacq.
