Dominique Corolleur's blog

"Bevañ, divizout, labourat e Breizh" is a collective made up of community representatives from throughout Brittany. They have called on people to assemble in Quimper in Brittany on 2nd November to protest against the French state’s intention of imposing the “Ecotax”. They seek to bring together all sectors of Breton society to demand a fair deal for Brittany and to get the French government to stop the introduction of the so called eco-tax.

In a disgraceful show of heavy handedness by the French state a number of Breton protestors were badly injured on Saturday in demonstrations against the French imposed “Ecotax” in Pont-de-Buis.  Due to come into effect in January 2014 the tax is supposed to encourage the use of environmentally friendly transport by adding a levy on vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. However this completely ignores the specific situation in Brittany where the agricultural sector is a vital part of the Breton nation’s economy.

Celebrating Cornwall’s Heritage and Celtic links. Lowender Peran has performances from Cornwall and the other Celtic Nations of Brittany, Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales. The festival takes place between 16 – 20 October 2013 at the Ponsmere Hotel, Perranporth, Cornwall.

See their website for details: www.lowenderperan.co.uk

Message from BZH (Association of Bretons in New York) bzh-ny.org

Fri 27 September 2013-Fest Noz in NYC tonight!!!

Celtic people all have a name for it.....ceili, craic agus ceoil, fest noz, beidh ceol, caint agus craic againn,basically a real fun time!!!

When on September 11 2013 the European Parliament adopted a resolution on protecting minority languages it did so by an overwhelming majority vote of 645 to 26. Not surprisingly amongst those voting against were French Centre-right MEPs claiming that it violated the unity of the French Republic.

On Saturday 21 September thousands marched in favour of Scottish Independence in Edinburgh. On the same day in Quimper (Breton: Kemper), Brittany, a rally in solidarity and support of Scottish independence organised by ‘YES BREIZH’ yesbreizh.net was also held. The rally and banners displayed outside of the Cathedral in Quimper drew lots of interest from local people.

News from BZH New York

As reported in EurActive, the political establishment of France continues to discriminate against Breton and other minority languages that currently fall within their administration:

French centre-right MEPs voted against a resolution on endangered regional languages, passed by a large majority in the European Parliament this week, claiming that it violated the unity of the French Republic.
With 92%, EU lawmakers gave their overwhelming backing on Wednesday (11 September) to a report, prepared by the Green group, aimed at protecting endangered and minority languages across Europe.

BZH New York has announced a very busy upcoming calendar of Breton events in NYC. BZH New York is an organisation of Bretons and friends of Brittany. They are dedicated to promoting the language, culture, economy and tourism of Brittany.

Breton the language of the Celtic nation of Brittany is to be taught at Harvard University in the United States.  This follows an agreement between the Department of Breton and Celtic Studies at Rennes University in Brittany and the Department of Celtic languages and literature at Harvard University. This is a welcome step for the Breton language and confirms its importance and relevance in the world today.