Se Canta
Se Canta (Occitan pronunciation: [se ˈkantɔ]; regional alternative titles: Se Chanta; Aqueras Montanhas) is an anthem associated with Occitania. It is also a very old popular song, known all over Occitania. According to legend, it was written by Gaston III Fébus (1331–1391), Count of Foix and Béarn.
| English: If it Sings | |
|---|---|
National anthem of Occitania | |
| Also known as | Se Chanta Aqueras Montanhas, Montanhes Araneses |
| Lyrics | Gaston III Fébus (attributed) |
| Adopted | 2008 (only in Val d'Aran, with the title Montanhes Araneses) |
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Since 1993, it has an official status in Aran Valley (a comarca in Catalonia, Spain) with the title Montanhes Araneses. It has been the official anthem of Toulouse FC since August 6, 2010.
It is also popular in the High Aragon (Spain) with the name of Aqueras montanyas or Aqueras montañas, sung in Aragonese, with a similar lyrics. It was compiled by the Aragonese group Biella Nuei and later sung, among others, by the singer-songwriter José Antonio Labordeta.
Se Canta is often regarded as the unofficial anthem of all Occitania and most people living in that region know the words to the first verse and chorus even if they are not native Occitan speakers themselves.
Notable occasions on which it has been sung include the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin on February 10, 2006 (by L'Ange Gardien Chorus), and in the French National Assembly on June 3, 2003 (by Jean Lassalle, in protest at a perceived slight on the Pyrenean village of Urdos by Minister of the Interior Nicolas Sarkozy).
Se Canta was commercially covered by a number of singers and bands, among which are Lou Dalfin, Patric, André Dassary, Charé Moulâ, Calabrun (from Germany), Jean-Bernard Plantevin, Coriandre, Tòni de l'Ostal, Biella Nuei (Aragón), Crestian Almergue e lo Grop Tèst, Corrou de Berra and Dorothée.