So where are they and what are they doing? (page 17 of 33)

What contempt for Brittany!

I agree with you. I’ll add: the road signs in both languages, the many evening classes for adults, masses in Breton, the Breton flag flying outside people’s homes, bilingual classes, etc. It’s not just folklore. That said, Diwan is facing financial difficulties. In Vannes, you don’t hear Breton spoken.

Marie-Anne, François,

I’m not going to bicker with you in this somewhat catch-all discussion, sure, but it does have a purpose. The word "folklore" doesn’t have the same meaning in French as it does in Anglo-Saxon anthropology, and I’m using it in the first sense, where it *is* pejorative. To me, what you’re presenting as proof of cultural vitality really does come across as folklore—something you’ve both willingly embraced, which is to your credit. A nation’s culture is about more than just summer demonstrations. I mentioned Scotland and Wales earlier, and I could’ve added Ireland. A quick comparison will make things clearer.

Michel

In Vannes, you don’t hear Breton spoken

Of course. I’m referring to the time when I used to go to the Vannes market at Place des Lices. The countrywomen selling their produce wore the traditional headdress and spoke Breton. Same with Marie Joseph, my grandparents’ servant. That was only yesterday!

By the way, Tatra didn’t fall into the cliché of calling Breton a dialect.

However, following Tatra’s point, you’ve confused "cultural vibrancy" (a lovely way to put it) — folklore — with "summer demonstrations" (no doubt organized by tourist boards to liven up resorts with performers) and the real culture that thrives in the true Celtic nations: Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Thankfully, Tatra is here to set the record straight.

The members of interceltic dance circles or *Bagadou* who meet every week to practice, the choreographers, the seamstresses, the costume designers — they’ll all appreciate Tatra’s statements. And where does Alan Stillvell fit in: culture or folklore?

Finally, let’s talk about the Festival Interceltique de Lorient. It’s the world’s largest festival of Celtic nations. Being invited is an honor. You can see photos of the Lorient festival in many pubs in Ireland or Scotland — *"these nations, keepers of true Celtic culture,"* — because it’s the Mecca of the Celts. Every year, the people of Lorient (whether demonstrating "cultural vibrancy" or putting on "summer demonstrations" for tourists) invite Irish, Scottish, or Welsh "bands" to their festival. These representatives of authentic Celtic culture deign to perform alongside Breton folklore performers each year. Their understanding warms the heart, and we’ll always need a Tatra to provide an authoritative and insightful analysis — so we don’t get lost. I’m sure after this, you won’t confuse Celtic culture with Celtic folklore anymore.

I’ve got the answer to Joël’s question!

Mais où sont-ils donc et que font-ils?

They’re on this thread and they’re rambling...😇

Groundhog Day.

Hi François,

I see what you mean; I know quite a few people who play in *bagadous*, or even pursue careers in that field, and from what I’ve discussed with them, they tend to agree with me. When a language or culture has been uprooted, reduced to an anecdotal status, sometimes—often—looked down upon and implicitly belittled, it scatters into folklore, shifting from the political sphere to that of leisure and entertainment. Think what you will about it, but I’ve lived in Brittany day in and day out for about 50 years—it gives you time to reflect.

Michel

What contempt for Brittany!

It’s a bit like the snake biting its own tail. After all, this Mr. Tatra lives in Bigouden country. Let’s say I live in Ollioules and express my contempt for Provence and the Costa Azzurra 😛

I know quite a few people who play in bagadous,

You must definitely know Carlos Lagadec and his electric bagpipes then? 😛 Carlos Lagadec is to the bagpipes what Jimi Hendrix was to the electric guitar.

Can you be annoyed by the poor welcome some Brittany restaurants give tourists while still being thrilled when 100 bagpipers spectacularly mark the finale of the Fêtes d'Armorique in Quimper? I don’t see any connection between these two things, and I’m surprised my post from 7 years ago is being brought up to seemingly contrast with my admiration for Breton culture today. The restaurant welcome and the cultural event in Quimper are completely unrelated!

If I’m repeating myself, you’re talking nonsense.

(The restaurant welcome has improved a lot since this post was written 7 years ago, but hotel capacity is worrying, driving prices up sharply in the summer.)

I was replying to everyone, myself included... 😄

The way this discussion is going really reminds me of countless old threads. 😏

Especially the Brittany topic!

Your reply really makes me think; that’s what’s great about a forum. From my research, actually, folklore is a subset of culture. So you can’t really pit them against each other, and of course, we should move beyond the level of "summer demonstrations" when it comes to folklore. It’s an entire tradition of songs, music, dances, costumes, and *pardons* that makes up this folklore, and it’s not just for tourists. Language is part of it too, but it’s fading away.

Now, about your main point: it was the French state that uprooted Breton culture, which later resurfaced as a thin layer of folklore. You back this up with 50 years of living in Brittany and meeting many key figures—but which ones? The Breton speakers who are hostile to France? Fair enough! I don’t have that kind of experience since I’m part of the diaspora, but I can still have a perspective. What I’ve gathered from my trips to Brittany and now through AI is that the French state did target the Breton language, but not the rest of the culture. And even then, not with the same intensity as, say, the treatment of Russian speakers in some countries or Kurdish speakers in another. I think Breton culture has been passed down without interruption and is still very much alive today. And I can’t imagine such a stubborn community letting a central government dictate its rules. I know there’s a very identity-driven, hostile, and resentful segment of the population in Brittany, but I think most Bretons feel fully French and don’t fear threats to their culture. They’ve learned French and are managing just fine now. Remember: they won the battle for bilingual city names and road signs. The state, in a generous move, now recognizes Breton as an optional subject for the *bac* and even includes a *Bagad* in its military.

Did he manage to fit into his community, or does he have a soft spot for Brittany? That’s his mystery.

According to my research, actually the AI,

Good evening, AI stands for artificial intelligence, I assume? Are you using this tool to write?

I suggest we all open a thread about Brittany to keep the conversation going.

I’ll keep my reply brief—otherwise, we’ll stray too far from the original topic. Pondy started a thread: “AI: The Holy Grail of Travel and Travel Journals.” I don’t write anything with AI; it’s an ultra-powerful research and synthesis tool that writes in proper French. To stay on the Brittany topic, I asked it the difference between culture and folklore. Then I asked if the French state had oppressed Breton culture. It answered yes, and only regarding the language. It included a poster that said it was forbidden to spit and speak Breton. What chance would I have had of finding that poster on my own? The graphic tool is mind-blowing but refuses to touch Brigitte Bardot’s clothing. I wouldn’t want to be in the shoes of a French or history teacher who has to detect the authenticity of a paper. Right now, I’m looking for an AI that would address me by saying: “At your command, venerable master.” I made the same request to my family, and they shot me down.

Back to Brittany! !

Hi François,

then I asked him if the French state had oppressed Breton culture. He answered yes, and only regarding the language.

What does your favorite AI say about Conlie?

I wouldn’t want to be in the shoes of a French or history teacher having to detect the authenticity of a paper.

It’s pretty easy. But the question hardly comes up anymore—homework written outside of supervised exams has almost disappeared.

Michel

So, to stay on the Brittany topic, I asked them the difference between culture and folklore; then I asked if the French state had oppressed Breton culture.

AI (or "AI," depending on how you spell it) is a useful tool, but it’s totally incapable of nuance, subjectivity, or taking a stance. It just lists facts. And that’s not interesting—might as well read Wikipedia.

I wouldn’t want to be in the shoes of a French or history teacher having to detect the authenticity of a paper.

A text generated by AI is easy to spot. Anyway, aside from being a regurgitation of clichés, I don’t see the point.

Thanks, I’ve got nothing left to say about Brittany now.

The AI wasn't very helpful when it came to Conlie. On the other hand, a classic search led me to a good article from *Ouest France*. I wasn’t familiar with the event—it’s truly eye-opening. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!

I don’t see many new members logged in—I see quite a few members connected but who don’t participate or no longer do.

While there are a number of "old-timers" who don’t log back in, it’s crazy how few "ghost" contributors there are who pop up every now and then ;) Like Ms. Sophie L., who posts a photo of herself—let’s just say scantily clad—and who’s, well, not exactly virtuous ;) These people must definitely be reading the *guide du brouteur*...

I feel a little bad for the moderators of this forum.

Oh, and off-topic: thanks to Mr. Zorba and Tatra—I just found out that *la Champagne mancelle* exists too!