Free radios in the Pyrénées-Orientales: quite a history

Esteve Vaills, it was a tone, a voice, on the airwaves of France Blue Roussillon, where he woke up the Catalan country, during his show Alarm clock, from the crack of dawn. Contemporary with the emergence of FM radio, attracted by the airwaves, he took the microphone early, but surely at 11 years old on the airwaves of Radio Arrels. Presenter on France Blue Roussillon from 1991 to 2011, collaborator of France 3.

Also read:
Pyrénées-Orientales: when radios were free in Catalan Country

The starting point is in Ille with Radio par la Racine, Radio Ille, Radio Farde, radio Épsilon ? “Free radio begins in Ille with Radio par la racine, born on November 3, 1977, in the anti-nuclear fight”, explains Esteve Vaills. She opposes the project of the Minatome company seeking a uranium research permit. “It’s the first free radio, it’s fundamental.”

65 free radios in the P.-O.

Following the publication of his quasi-encyclopedic work Free radios in Catalan country 1977-1987 published by Publications de l’Olivier, under the direction of Gérard Bonet, Esteve Vaills offers the public a sound and visual conference, which will be an opportunity to shed light on the phenomenon of free radios in Europe and in France, which has broken through the state barrier in a liberating carefree manner and often with the means at hand. “The aim is to show this rich period, since I have identified 65 free radio stations in the department.”

An evening that promises to be full of interest and will bathe in the syrup of radios, thanks to instructive and lively local anecdotes: jingles, excerpts from programs, advertisements, news. You will discover or relive the liberation of the airwaves in the Pyrénées Orientales and in particular in Ille-sur-Têt, in the late 1970s.

Also read:
40 years ago, a surge of free radio stations in the Pyrénées-Orientales: “They were created by the children of 1968”

“This conference is parallel to the publication of the book, it is presented in the form of a watered-down television show.” A 688-page book that the author took the time to write and construct over 7 years, to give readers accurate and comprehensive information. “There are 92 interviews. It is an in-depth investigation, which is nourished by the world history of radio. The book helped me to be relevant and legitimate, because I did radio from the inside.”