Derborence

Like a Rolling Stone

“…He became well-known for his use of the Swiss-speaking language rather than of the “good French.” The novelist Ramuz wanted to capture closer the real living experience of his contemporaries and predecessors, as he was the grandson of peasants and mountain people in particular. He wrote numerous famous novels including Derborence (Ramuz, 1934/2018). The Derborence novel is the story of the strange return to life (Ramuz, 1934/2018, p. 9).…”

“…He wrote numerous famous novels including Derborence (Ramuz, 1934/2018). The Derborence novel is the story of the strange return to life (Ramuz, 1934/2018, p. 9). A film was created two centuries later from this village story (Henchoz & Stadelmann, 1985).…”

“…A film was created two centuries later from this village story (Henchoz & Stadelmann, 1985). In this writing, Ramuz (1934/2018) described the catastrophic transformative experience for people living a mountain’s fall in Derborence, lieu-dit in Valais (Switzerland), in 1714. Suddenly one day, the mountain fell in a couple of minutes, creating large stones and rocks rolling down, covering chalets and pastures, taking everything in their path, transforming the landscape into a big lake (see Figure), sweeping inhabitants with their belongings.…”

“…Suddenly one day, the mountain fell in a couple of minutes, creating large stones and rocks rolling down, covering chalets and pastures, taking everything in their path, transforming the landscape into a big lake (see Figure), sweeping inhabitants with their belongings. The surprised shepherds caught in the situation rolled down the mountain (Ramuz, 1934/2018, pp. 36-37).…”

“…Nevertheless, the mountains’ solidity is often a lure. Trusting them is never entirely possible, as they can also surprise, induce vertigo, and have tragic, unexpected consequences, similarly to Derborence (Ramuz, 1934/2018). Unfolding climate changes alter the mountains.…”