Their eyes sparkle. But do not hide a strong concentration. After a few sips of water drunk in a hurry, the 96 children gathered on Saturday afternoon, July 27, at the Kervénanec stadium in Lorient and hurried to take their positions at the first notes of music. They position themselves, advance on the artificial grass and perform their dance steps. “It’s the first time they practice in a big field and everything,” explains Mathieu Lamour, director of Kenleur, the association of Celtic circles that brings together almost 200 Breton associations. He welcomed them, together with other directors, from July 25 to 27 in the country of Lorient, to rehearse the show that they will give, together with other Celtic delegations, during the Inter-Celtic Festival of Lorient (FIL), every year from 12 to 15 August.
Their artistic residency was held from 25 to 27 July in the Lorient region. (Le Télégramme/Isabelle Demangeat)
To pass on an inheritance
It all started with Kenleur’s desire to raise awareness among young people about Breton heritage. “We made it a priority five years ago,” explains Mathieu Lamour. To pass on a heritage, our Breton culture, what previous generations have taught us.” In 2023, under FIL, the association will parade 600 young people during the big parade. Five giantesses accompany them. The delegation hits the spot. And somehow announces the theme chosen by FIL for the following year: “Youth in Celtic countries”. “We then launched an appeal to our associations,” says Mathieu Lamour. We were looking for young people aged 9 to 15 with good dance experience to put on a show. » 96 young people signed up. They are all detained. The show is on. Étienne Chouzier is responsible for the musical composition; Solenn Boënnec and Morvan Jégou, choreographies; Marlène Le Querler, from the dressing room… All that remains is for the young people to learn and repeat. Kenleur organizes an artistic residency in the Lorient region at the end of July, which ends at the Kervénanec lawn. We feel a slight tiredness – the young people practiced from 9 to 22 the previous days – but above all a lot of joy. “What we experience here is once in a lifetime,” says Erin, 12, from Quimperlé. “It moves to represent Brittany,” adds Tom, 12, from Brech. His cheeks flushed with slight shyness, he adds in a breath, “I’m proud of it.”
