Charles Guyard (in Lorient), edited by Gauthier Delomez
06:12, August 13, 2022modified to
08:54, August 13, 2022
The Interceltic Festival of Lorient ends this Sunday in Lorient, in Morbihan. One of its characteristics is that it increasingly attracts a young, even very young audience. Europe 1 went to the aisles of the festival, to meet young lovers of Breton music.
“It’s very catchy, it’s a very strong cultural identity”, says a first festival-goer on Europe 1. The Interceltic Festival ends this weekend in Lorient in Morbihan. And the least we can say is that celtic music attracts all generations. They are always very numerous, and increasingly young also to celebrate this Celtic identity each year. This confirms that traditional music does not mean outdated.
The diversity of Breton music
“We said ‘Ah this music, it was a bit old-fashioned'”, says Jean-Philippe Mauras, the artistic director. “We must cultivate the young people of today to these musics because they are the ones who will make the festival”, he adds to the microphone of Europe 1. The young people and sometimes very young people crossed in the aisles of the interceltic are not there by chance: Breton music is part of their repertoire, and sometimes always has been.
“What I like is the diversity of Breton music compared to other music, which is a bit always the same”, assures another festival-goer. “I have Breton origins”, evokes a third, “I heard it when I was younger, it was always festive.”
Multiple influences
Festive, lively, and tunes that cross all generations. This is the case of the song Tri Martolodthe success of Alan Stivell in the 1970s, which was then taken over by the group Manau with the title Dana’s Tribe in the 1990s, then by Nolwenn Leroy in 2010. Further proof that Breton music is ageless.
This is also what seduces Galatea, 34, who is amazed by the look of the musicians. “They look like guys who would go to Hellfest and at the same time they play bagpipes!” she exclaims. An instrument that we also hear at the metal music festival, with bands like the Dropkick Murphys. The Celtic influence therefore permeates all musical currents.