La Talvera is a quartet from Albi deep in Occitania, a cross-border region rooted in the traditions, language and culture associated with the Occitan language. La Talvera has risen to become one of its primary musical ambassadors. They are reclaiming old songs, keeping them contemporary and staunchly political. La Talvera is a re-assertion of Occitan cultural identity and another counterblast to Hôtel Matignon and the cultural and political hegemony of the French language. Oh, and La Talvera’s balèti – ‘dance events’ – are like feast dances.

Photo: Willy Pruvost