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Dance Brittany, Dance!
The stage could hardly contain them. Firstly because of the numbers - more than 130 singers, dancers and traditional musicians -, but also because everyone both inside and out wanted to share the joy of the celebrations. War`l Leur, the federation of celtic associations is celebrating thirty years of growing success at the Cornouaille festival with "Kalon An dans". The public came in mass, and binoculars were sometimes needed to follow the spectacle. In five scenes, the powerful, moving voice of Annie Ebrel recounts the history of Breton dance from the origins of community dance before the first World War to contemporary choreographic development. With its impressive collection of bagpipes, bombardes and percussion instruments, the 'Bagad Kemper', one of the leading musical groups of the region, expresses the strength of modern day tradition, sharing the spirit of Brittany throughout Quimper.
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A pancake knack.
Louise is keeping an eye on the twenty or so apprentice crepe makers - there is a large majority of females but two men are putting up a good show in their crepe making training; one of the courses put forward to help festivalgoers familiarize themselves with a few of Brittany`s traditions. Whether from Quimper like Mrs. Lugern or further away like the Dovaux couple from Draguignan, everyone is taking great care. Firstly the batter, made from buckwheat, is conscientiously kneaded, whisked and then left to rest for two hours. For what comes next, a certain knack is needed: the preprepared mixture must be quickly and carefully spread over the scalding hot plate "bilig" with a wooded scraper "rozell". All that is left to be done now is to lift off the crepe, detaching it with the "spanel" or wooden knife. If the outcome doesn`t have the desired effect, eat it all, and start again. |
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Good organization always leaves room for the unforeseen. Between exhibitions or concerts, there is always something to see for someone who knows how to get lost amongst the alleys. "With these balloons, i put a lot of money in my pockets!" exclaims the balloon man who for a 'soleil' (a ten franc piece in street slang) will transform his multicoloured balloons into amazing animals. A bit further on, one comes across the bizarre: a human statue posing on his pedestal perfectly motionless, depicting "The bourgeois of Calais" and earning respect from passers by. Meghan, a celtic muician seems to prefer to play for self-satisfaction rather than the fleeing public, his timid harp fixed in place on his shoulder, softly whispering him secrets. |
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