Interview with Christiane and Pierre Burguière

Larzac/ Lanza del Vasto/Kanaks

Member of farming family at centre of Larzac struggle. Born 2 July 1946, Millau. Daughter of farmers of Saint-Germain near Millau.

Institution Jeanne d’Arc, Millau until 17 (1963). Married Pierre Burguière at 19 (1965), three children. Sister Janine married Jean-Marie Burguière.

Involved in Larzac campaign from two-week fast (Mar 1972) of Lanza del Vasto and oath of the 103 not to leave the plateau. Saw it as ‘a struggle of families’ and inspired by Christian faith. Undertook women’s actions, such as invasion of town halls.

Took part in March on Paris, Nov-Dec. 1980, and silent demonstration in Paris, faced by 17,000 police. Camped on Champ de Mars Dec. 1980, for five days, with children, till moved on by police,

Keen to return generosity shown to the Larzac. Support for Japanese peasants threated by airport – visited them 1982. Support for Kanak people, visits of Jean-Marie Tjibaou and Yéwéné Yéwéné, later assassinated. Piece of land given to Kanaks on the plateau for their own shrine.

Assistant editor of review Gardarem lo Larzac, and published a history, Gardarem ! chronique du Larzac en lutte, preface by José Bové (Toulouse, Privat, 2011)

Burguière, Pierre

Larzac/Lanza del Vasto/Kanaks

Family

Born 13 April 1943, Bozouls (Aveyron). Younger son of Léon Burguière, peasant and local notable.

Petit Séminaire of Saint-Affrique, till age of 14, left 1957 to work on father’s farm. At same time he studied at the École d’apprentissage d’agriculture at Millau. Married Christine Burguière 1965, three children.

Hostile to students as hippies and lefties in 1968 but later realised that media was lying as it was when it began to report Larzac struggle.

Involved in Larzac campaign from two-week fast (Mar 1972) of Lanza del Vasto and oath of the 103 not to leave the plateau. Drove sheep to Eiffel Tower, Jan. 1973, his first visit to Paris. In ‘commando’ of 22 who occupied offices of the military base, June 1976. Arrested and tried in Millau, July 1976, provoking demonstration of 400,000 ‘real peasants’ and released two days later.

Took part in March on Paris, Nov-Dec. 1980, and silent demonstration in Paris, faced by 17,000 police. Camped on Champ de Mars Dec. 1980, for five days, with children, till moved on by police.

Argues that ‘If there had not been women it would not have worked’. Unlike industrial workers, struggle based in factories like Lip, this struggle was one of families, on farms and in homes.

With Christiane Burguière, Gardarem ! chronique du Larzac en lutte, preface by José Bové (Toulouse, Privat, 2011)