Pic: Novopress

On Sunday, July 13, the 55th Festival of Embroidery brought together 35 young women in dress and large cap for the traditional election of the new queen of embroiderers of Pont-l’Abbé in Brittany. They say it is to.. ..pay tribute to those who still wear the costume and traditional headdress high, even if they are not very numerous. It is a gesture of identity. It’s exceptional to say that despite the abandonment of costume on a massive scale, it is still a garment and not just a costume. The preservation of this identity has become the driving force behind Celtic Circle Ar Vro Vigoudenn who were crowned last year as Champions of Brittany.

Émilie Kerlen, 22 years old and deeply moved, the new queen was crowned Queen of Embroiderers on Sunday afternoon after an secret election, which took place last June 6 and whose result is traditionally kept secret until the Festival.  She said:

It was not necessarily my choice, but I’m happy to have been elected. I’m proud to be able to represent my bigoudènes roots for a year.

She is a dancer in a Circle, but also practices Celtic embroidery. It is the new generation, but is closer than ever to the first bigoudènes queens.

I joined the circle 7 years ago on a whim. My mom never really knew why.  And like all girls, the beautiful queen in her beautiful costume has always been an idol for me.

Embroidered in golden thread, the meeting is, as one of the most recent Queens of the circle said, a model of the last great wedding costumes.  Solenn Boënnec, the chairwoman of the circle and queen in 1994 said:

They were brought up to 60 years. She has used embroidery and beading.

The Celtic Circle Ar Vro Vigoudenn promotes another feature which suggests a revival for bigoudène Culture. It is one of the few circles whose dancers also embroider.

Émilie represents the new generation of young people who are interested in different aspects of their culture through embroidery. Today, it is really a famous embroidery.

We could hardly complain about the renewal of the culture and traditions as there was so much pleasure for the eyes at the rendez-vous!

Source

Any mistakes are my fault, my translation - sorry

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