2023-08-07 00:40:29
In Lorient, the Interceltic Festival is held until August 13 in the streets of the city. It honors inter-Celticism, with its values of encounter, exchange and sharing. A great mix of Celtic cultures, ancient and current, to make the tradition last as long as possible.
From our special correspondent in Lorient, Lisa Giroldini
One of the highlights of this festival is the grand parade of Celtic nations which is held on the first Sunday of August. A parade in the streets of Lorient where 74 different formations follow one another in front of the public. After an opening with the flags of the Celtic nations and the Bagad of Lann-Bihoué, it’s time for several hours of music and dancing.
« Look at everyone. Even the Celtic countries, the Asturians, the Galicians, the Irish, there are always so many people. The audience is still great. That’s great. »
Christophe Le Govic is the president of Bagad de Lorient. For him, the big parade is an essential moment of sharing: ” The big parade is really an important moment for all bell ringers: being able to parade, seeing a huge audience. For young people for example, it’s something that makes you want to go into a bagad this parade. Finally, many of us in the group have seen when we were very young, with amazed eyes, the bagadou parade, whether it is obviously the bagad of Lann-Bihoué which opens the parade every year, or the bagad of Lorient For example. So, this is really an important moment for all of us. »
On the public side as well as on the artist side, the grand parade brings together all generations. This is the very first festival for Aselys, six years old: ” I don’t really like it when everyone is looking at me. Anyway, I know my mum isn’t there because she’s dancing too like me. »
Read alsoThe Kemper bagad, a mix of heritage and modernity
Fortunately, some are regulars at the big parade, like Anthony: “ Me, I am not a flag. So I’m leading the team. I am the leader of the stage, everyone follows me. When I stop, they stop. When I leave, they leave. It’s me who sets the tempo, and then we mustn’t leave too much of a gap. It’s always the same pleasure, all the Celtic nations meet here, there are children, it’s intergenerational. »
Or Marylou who has been present every year since the first edition in 1971: “ I entered a circle in 1958, I was 25 years old. I am also moved to wear the costume. For me, it’s such an honor vis-à-vis my ancestors. And I’m wearing a suit that belonged to an old person who gave it to me. You see, there is quite a story. And to find everyone, all this youth, the succession is assured. I say to myself, “you can leave now, that’s itt”. »
This year again, the great parade of the Celtic nations was a real highlight of the Interceltic Festival, which still lasts until Sunday.
#Mixture #Celtic #cultures #Interceltic #Festival #Lorient