Félibrige

The Félibrige (also sometimes rendered as Felibrige) was a literary and cultural association founded in 1854 by Frédéric Mistral and six other young Provençal poets in Fontségugne, near Avignon, France. Its primary objective was to revive and maintain the Occitan language (also known as Provençal) and literature, which had been in decline.

The initial founders, besides Mistral, were Joseph Roumanille, Théodore Aubanel, Jean Brunet, Anselme Mathieu, Paul Giera, and Alphonse Tavan. They aimed to standardize the written form of Occitan, promote its use in literature, and celebrate Provençal culture and traditions.

The Félibrige was organized hierarchically, with a Capoulié (chief) elected to lead the group. Frédéric Mistral served as Capoulié for many years and was instrumental in the organization's success. He received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1904, largely for his epic poem Mirèio, written in Occitan, which brought international recognition to the language and the Félibrige movement.

Over time, the Félibrige expanded beyond Provence, encompassing Occitan speakers from other regions of southern France and even parts of Spain and Italy. Different branches, known as Mantenenço, were established in various areas.

While the Félibrige initially focused on literature and language, it also played a role in promoting regional identity and cultural awareness. Although its influence waned in the later part of the 20th century, the Félibrige is credited with contributing significantly to the preservation and promotion of the Occitan language and culture, and it continues to exist today, albeit with a more decentralized structure and focus. The modern movement often concentrates on supporting local Occitan cultural activities and language education.