Les Bourgeois de Witzheim

In this lively portrait of a small Alsatian town, the narrator returns to Witzheim to visit his old friend Deck and is instantly swallowed by the region’s hearty dialect, fragrant cuisine, and the clatter of daily life that still bears the scars of the Great War. The opening scenes unfold on a sun‑lit square, where the locals—soldiers‑turned‑civilians, fire‑brigade drummers, and shopkeepers—exchange jokes that blend French, German, and the robust Alsatian patois, giving the listener a vivid sense of place and humor.

Through Deck’s modest salon, filled with relics of an era gone by, the story weaves personal anecdotes about family, the sound of church bells, and the strange comfort of cherished traditions such as the massive quince tart. The narrative balances nostalgic recollections with a subtle critique of lingering militaristic pride, inviting listeners to taste the bittersweet flavor of a community that clings to its identity while quietly confronting the past.