Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: 36 Rue d’Argenton, Limoges
This workshop is designed to introduce participants to the practice of collecting and preserving oral histories, focusing on the lives and experiences of workers in Limousin between 1940 and 1968. Participants will explore the importance of oral history as a tool for documenting working-class life and understanding social change from a personal perspective.
The day begins with a 30-minute welcome and orientation session, where facilitators will introduce MEMOIRE OUVRIERE EN LIMOUSIN and explain the objectives of the workshop. Participants will learn about the historical context of Limousin during the mid-20th century, including industrial growth, labor movements, and the daily realities of workers. This segment will include archival photographs, brief biographies of notable workers, and examples of oral testimonies from the period.
The morning session continues with practical training in interview techniques. Participants will learn how to prepare questions, conduct respectful and ethical interviews, and document narratives accurately. Emphasis will be placed on active listening, building rapport with interviewees, and capturing nuanced personal stories. Real-world examples from the MEMOIRE OUVRIERE EN LIMOUSIN archive will be analyzed to demonstrate effective techniques and common challenges.
After a lunch break, the afternoon session will focus on hands-on activities. Participants will pair up and practice conducting interviews with one another, role-playing as both interviewer and interviewee. Feedback will be provided by facilitators to refine skills and ensure clarity and sensitivity in documenting personal stories. Participants will also learn how to transcribe interviews, organize digital and physical records, and integrate oral histories into broader historical research projects.
The workshop concludes with a collaborative discussion on how oral histories can be used for research, educational programs, exhibitions, and publications. Participants will be encouraged to consider projects they could pursue individually or in partnership with the association. Certificates of participation will be provided, and resources for further study will be shared.
This event is open to individuals of all backgrounds, including students, educators, researchers, and local community members. No prior experience in history or research is required, making it accessible to anyone interested in learning about and preserving the stories of Limousin’s working class.
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