“The voice of the ancients” recorded throughout Orne to bear witness to their passage in History

In a decade during which the last veterans of the Second World War are slowly passing away, the words of the elders become more precious than ever.

Their stories from another time risk disappearing with them. Who will tell each of the little stories that shed light on the big History?

A program carried by the UNA

All these treasures, Philippe Fichetof the Awakening and Prevention association in L'Aigle (Orne), has chosen to save them in a format as intimate as it is original, a podcast.

Since last spring, “The voice of the elders”, a program carried by the Union Nationale de l’Aide (UNA) des Vallées and financed by the Conference of financiers of Orne, has been collecting these fragile voices.

Their memories are told on the microphone

The concept is simple, around thirty minutes to give a voice to elderly people. They talk about their childhood and their life experiences. They share their emotions.

At first, most think that they have nothing to tell, that what they experienced will interest no one.

However, once the microphone is put down, the magic happens.

Valuable anecdotes

Alone or in groups, elders, average age 89deliver stories of great richness.

A woman remembers nights spent in trenches dug by her parents. Another mentions the Liberation ballsduring which women accused of collaboration were sheared. Even more unusual, a former hospital seamstress tells us how she ended up treating renowned figures, like the Marshal Tito from Yugoslavia…

Simple, often poignant anecdotes, which all reveal to what extent this generation was marked by the events of its time.

Around twenty voices to listen to

But, “The voice of the ancients” does not stop at the facts.

What is striking is the depth of the emotions. Some people still jump today at the sound of an airplane. Others refuse to watch war films, “not even La Grande Vadrouille”!

We are not aware of all this, of what they experienced as children and the repercussions it may have had on their adult lives.

Since its creation, the podcast has had over 700 downloads and we are already counting about twenty episodes.

A natural and spontaneous conversation

The recordings are made directly at the participants' homes, whether in L'Aigle or in other towns such as Écouché, Vimoutiers or Mortrée…

Philippe Fichet, often accompanied by his son and colleague Félix, installs his equipment.

The conversation lasted for about an hour. Afterwards, editing on a computer requires careful work.

“They convey something essential”

Unlike books or history lessons, podcasts allow an embodied, living transmission. The silences, the inflections of the voice, the background noises immerse the listener in the world of the participants.

“At school, we focus on facts. Never about emotions,” regrets Philippe Fichet.

This new transmission does not only benefit listeners. Like Marie-Ange and Annette, the elderly open up. This project is a source of self-esteem for them.

It gives them usefulness, a feeling of consideration. They convey something essential

“The Voice of the Ancients” is not a podcast of great epics. Even less a show of personal pride. Above all, they are life stories, simple but deeply human memories.

An indelible imprint

By capturing these voices, Philippe and Félix Fichet create an indelible mark. Voices that will echo again and again, long after their owners are gone. Like real treasures, they will be there and will warm, in several more years, like a cuddly toy comforts a child.

Practical
The podcast “The voice of the ancients” is available for free on all platforms, Apple, Deezer, Spotify…

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