The Institut d'Estudis Occitans (English: Occitan Studies Institute or Institute for Occitan Studies; Occitan pronunciation: [istiˈtyd desˈtyðiz utsiˈtas]), or IEO, is a cultural association that was founded in 1945 by a group of Occitan and French writers including Jean Cassou, Tristan Tzara, Ismaël Girard, Max Roqueta, Renat Nelli, and Pierre Rouquette.[1] It aims at both maintaining and developing the Occitan language and influence of Occitania through the supervision, harmonization and normalization of everything dealing with the Occitan life and culture.
The IEO is divided into regional and departmental sections and local circles that cover the whole of the country from the cities (called in vernacular language) of Lemòtges and Clarmont up north to Marselha, Tolosa or Bordèu down south. A number of carefully targeted activities are sponsored by groups and other associations affiliated with the institute, or by members themselves. The IEO is the Occitan counterpart of the Institut d'Estudis Catalans. Its motto is La fe sens òbras mòrta es ("Faith without works is dead").