Im not in Esperaza at the moment but Carcassonne - at the Chapel of the Jesuits, working for an American University who are over here looking at the esotericism of the Cathar heresy and the output of the Troubadours. And the Grail stuff.
Here is the lovely ceiling and below is old friend and scholar Yuri Stoyanof, author of the classic book on dualism, The Other God. He is soooo knowlegeable: over here from his research in Jersualem where he persists in major discoveries.
They were called into being at the closure of the hat factories to protect the Occitan songs that they were in the habit of singing as they worked.This is not only charming but of great historical interest -
Im here for the rest of the week after which Im off to Provence with the team so my silence is not laziness, for once.
I am greatly indebted to Yuri Stoyanof for that book...provides a wonderful perspective which so many other books on the Cathars either ignore or just don't have. Please put a bug in his ear about Philippe Roy (who lives on the road to Montsegur (hamlet of Pigaillous), written several good books and having met him, he's the closest to what a Cathar might be today..a real privilege to meet him (with a group from Club Cathares.org).
ReplyDeleteAnd not to forget Jean-Luis Gasc author and has been a guide conférencier who has produced some of the most memorable photos of Montsegur (and is/was married to Anne Brenon which is an achievement in itself)...don't know if he's still at the Chateau Comtal...(German and French only).
There are some very very stupid books about the Cathars (and RLC) but these people are solid and real.
I look forward to hearing more about your work---lucky you!
I checked and Philippe Roy is at the Uni of Toulouse now...
ReplyDeleteThanks Gabriele - don't know your people but will check em out. In the meantime I have run across Bertran de la Farge whom I recommend to your attention - occitan scholar of great sagacity.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have some of his books. www.cathares.org (site of Philippe Contal--who won every possible award for blogs in a developing field) had interviews and information on the major writers on the subject. Islands of scholarship and repute in a sea of trendy writers who bring every possible myth into play (and often in regretable syntax...) Glad you're back home
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