Aubanel, Théodore

(1829-1886)

   poet of the Languedoc

   Born in Avignon, Théodore Aubanel was, along with frédéric mistral and joseph roumanille, one of the founders of the Félibrige (1854), a society dedicated to the revival of the Provençal language. Théodore Aubanel collaborated on the Armana Prouvencau, a colorful and homey almanac that would help to propagate an interest in and attachment to Provence and a knowledge of its language. A beloved poet, he expressed his passionate nature in his collection of lyrical poetry, La Grenade entrouverte (La Miaugrano entreduberto, 1860). In 1878, he wrote a Shakespearian drama, Le Pain du peche (Lou pen dou pecat), followed by Le Pâtre (Lou Pastre, posthumous, 1928), and Le Rapt (Lou Raubatori, posthumous, 1944). His second collection of poetry, in which a fervid sensuality is linked to the theme of death, Les Filles d'Avignon (L'Fihho d'Avignoun, 1885), was condemned by the religious authorities of the time.