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Brittany Local Reference INFOrmation

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Tradition and Festivals

A little bit about the thriving Breton traditions of the Fest Noz, the Pardons and the Tro Briezh.

Fest Noz

The Festoù Noz was traditionally the feast which took place after a communal chore in Breton villages and towns as a means of relaxation after a hard day’s work. Nowadays it has become a wonderful excuse to listen to traditional music, eat, dance and make merry!

The Fest Noz dance, with it’s infectious music played on violins, flutes, guitars and drums, is for everybody to join in, with simple steps and hands linked. They are held all through the summer months particularly in all villages and towns. The music has recently undergone a huge revival.

Fest-Noz.net lists all the Fest Noz and Fest-Diez in Brittany
Or you can look on the AngloINFO What's On guide for details of Fest Noz in your area.
Article by Roger Poitevin from Roots World on "a unique night of music and dancing in Brittany".

Pardons

The Pardon is a religious procession which takes place after a Mass, rich in rituals and traditions, dedicated to the local Saints in each village and town. The faithful attend to seek forgiveness or to fulfill a vow. These Pardons are also celebrated in a more specialised way, for example for sailors about to set sail who are given blessings. The procession is colourful and musical with statues, crosses and banners and are held particularly in the summer months all over Brittany.

Article by Thomas O'Hagan from the New Advent on Pardons of Brittany

The Tro Breizh

This is a tour of Brittany, or a pélerinage, passing through seven towns where Christianity was founded by the Saints: St Brieuc, St Malo, Dol-de-Bretagne, Vannes, Quimper, St Pol-de-Léon and Tréguier. Tradition has it that the walk was done in order to guarantee entry into Heaven, and for those who ended up in Hell, it was their punishment every seven years. Dating back to the IX century when it was very popular, it has been given new life since 1994 by two associations.

La Route Historique du Tro Breizh
Tel: 02 96 33 10 22
Les Chemins du Tro Breizh (in French)
At: BP 118, 29250 St Pol-de-Léon.
Tel : 02 98 69 16 53.
Web site (in French)