Brittany Travel: Festival Interceltique de Lorient

What does it mean to be Celtic today? Europe boasts such a diverse and interconnected population which, by its very nature, disavows the view of the Celts as a single ethnic unit. However, being ‘interceltic’ covers a much larger remit, namely to honour the customs, traditions, ancestral links and connections to the common Celtic fountainhead.

A cultural DNA binds the Celtic diaspora together – through music, dance and art – and this helix reaches every corner of the world. The poet David Whyte said, “To feel as if you belong is one of the great triumphs of human existence” so what better way to retrace your Celtic roots than to celebrate at a convivial ‘interceltic’ event?

Those with shared roots can reconnect with their ancestors at the annual Festival Interceltique, which is held in Lorient, the capital of the Celtic nations. The Festival Interceltique de Lorient is an exultant celebration of everything Celtic, without limitations of geography.

Lorient is a seaport community in Brittany’s stunning Morbihan département, and a big part of what makes this event so special is the active and enthusiastic involvement of the local community. This mammoth event is celebrating its 45th edition this year, and for the first time in its history, two Celtic nations are to be jointly honoured during the festivities: Cornwall and the Isle of Man.

Some 750,000 festival-goers, facilitated by 1,300 volunteers, gather for 10 days and 10 nights in Breton country. Contemporary meets traditional during a programme of over 200 concerts across 12 stages by more than 4,000 artists, including Simple Minds, Charlie Winston, Denez Prigent, Carlos Nuñez with the Brittany Symphonic Orchestra and the Bagad de Lorient.

Among the 200 concerts, a firm family favourite is the spectacular Nuit Interceltique, which features the participation of 500 artists from Celtic nations and combines music, dance, song, a light show, video projections on giant screens and a closing round of spectacular fireworks. Although music is the glue which binds this Celtic-centric festival together, the reach extends much further, to other areas of economic and educational exchange among the participating nations.

Festival Interceltique de Lorient, August 7–16. Various venues, Lorient, Brittany. Prices vary. Tel: +33 2 97 21 24 29

From France Today magazine