Oct
17
2008
Pic: Beyond the Veil |
We are very proud to announce our second Special Guest Blogger and it is none other than Sela Carsen; paranormal, historical and romance author. She has titles such as Not Quite Dead, Love & Lore, The Virgin Courtesan and Romance by the Cup available as well as anthologies of short stories. You can find her work at Samhain Publishing as well as on the Sela Carsen website. Here she turns her hand and her keen eye for research to the subject of Breton Mythology. Let’s pass you over to her…
At the very northwestern tip of France lies a region called Brittany, or Bretagne. Directly north of it, across the English Channel, is Cornwall. And a very long time ago, they weren’t so different from each other. |
When the Romans came to Gaul, they called the area “Armorica.” Trade between Armorica and Britain had been long established and Brittany had far more in common with Cornwall than with its Frankish neighbors to the south. They even shared a language across the strip of sea. Continue Reading »
Aug
20
2008
Pic: Daily Post |
A special twin-sword has been used to strengthen the link between the Eisteddfod and its Celtic cousins, the Welsh Daily Post reports.
At a ceremony on the Maes in Cardiff one half was presented to the Archdruid Dic Jones and the other half presented to the Breton Gorsedd of Bards.
Isle of Man, Cornwall, Scotland, Ireland and Patagonia also attended. |
Gorsedd of Bards spokes-man John Gwilym Jones said:
It was the Bretons that had the idea of instituting the twinhalf sword ceremony to celebrate the Celtic knot. But the dismantling of the sword, in accordance with tradition, is also a symbol of refusing to fight.
The sword dates from 1899.
After that ceremony one half was taken to Brittany, and when officials of the two Gorsedd of Bards meet the two halves are brought together.
Source
Aug
16
2008
Pic: freresmorvan |
Please accept my apologies for the translation, but the Breton Novopress have reported that the Brothers Morvan were greeted last night (the 6th August) with tumultuous applause, when they appeared at the daily party of the 38th Festival Interceltique de Lorient.
It is now absolutely certain, that no other traditional breton group caused as much anticipation as the two brothers at the party! The amount of photographers, both amateur and professional, who were there demonstrated the respect that the current duo demand ! |
Continue Reading »
Jul
27
2008
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. |
Continue Reading »
Jun
30
2008
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AFP reports that the legend of Britian’s King Arthur will take hold of the city of Rennes next month when it hosts a series of events on the mythical hero once said to have roamed this wild, western French region called Brittany.
A major exhibition on the Arthurian tales, which will run for six months, is to open July 15, fully translated into English, the same day the International Arthurian Society begins it’s 22nd annual congress at Rennes university, one of the biggest campuses in France. |
The Society brings together experts on the Arthurian tales from across the world, mingling eminent academics and amateurs. Formed in the Breton city of Quimper in 1948, it meets in congress every three years. Continue Reading »
May
26
2008
 |
The outcome of the first ‘regional’ language debate at the French Parliament on Wednesday (7th May) was predictably disappointing and the Government used it as an opportunity to reaffirm its authoritarian position.
The hemicycle at the Assemblée Nationale, where the debate was held, was predictably only a quarter full, as the following day (8th May) was a public holiday in France and most representatives had already returned to their home towns and cities to prepare for the coming festivities. Nevertheless Culture Minister Christine Albanel was present and even took part in the debate. |
Continue Reading »
May
21
2008
Stu Bramley |
Easier Travel tells us that “the cultural hub of Rennes, the Champs Libres (the Musée de Bretagne, the Bibliothèque de Rennes Métropole and the Espace des Sciences) launches the first ever major exhibition on the legend of King Arthur on 15 July 2008. The exhibition will stay open until 04 January 2009.
In partnership with The French National Library the exhibition traces the cultural history of the Arthurian myth and has been nominated as an “Exhibition of National Interest” by the Ministry of Culture. |
Continue Reading »
