Festivals & Events

1. Fest-noz

   Fest-noz (night-time traditional dance)

   Usage

   A night-time gathering where everyone dances in circles to traditional Breton music; on UNESCO's intangible heritage list since 2012

   Grammar Note

   Literally "night feast": fest is masculine and noz is feminine

2. Pelec'h emañ ar fest-noz ?

   Where is the fest-noz?

   Usage

   Ask for the venue; "Pelec'h emañ" is the standard way to ask where something is

   Grammar Note

   Same pattern as other "where is the ...?" questions; swap the noun (composed)

3. Plijout a ra din dañsal

   I like to dance

   Usage

   Something to say when invited into the dance

   Grammar Note

   Built on an attested pattern with "din" (composed); literally "dancing pleases me"

4. Dañsomp !

   Let's dance!

   Usage

   A call to join the dance

   Grammar Note

   The "let us" imperative of dañsal; -omp marks the first person plural

5. Pardon

   Pardon (patron saint's festival)

   Usage

   A religious festival for a patron saint, with a procession and often music and dance afterwards

   Grammar Note

   The Breton word for pardon is also the name of this festival

6. Gouelioù-Meur Kerne

   Festival de Cornouaille (Quimper)

   Usage

   A large festival of Breton music held in Quimper every July

   Grammar Note

   Uses the plural of "gouel" (festival); Kerne is the region name

7. Emvod ar Gelted en Oriant

   Celtic gathering of Lorient (Festival Interceltique)

   Usage

   A Celtic music festival held in Lorient every August

   Grammar Note

   "en" is e + an contracted: the article of An Oriant is inside it

8. Gouel an Erer Kozh

   Vieilles Charrues Festival (Carhaix)

   Usage

   A very large music festival held every July in the inland town of Carhaix

   Grammar Note

   Literally "festival of the old ploughs", a translation of the French name Vieilles Charrues

9. Yaouank

   Yaouank (Rennes autumn festival of Breton music)

   Usage

   An autumn festival in Rennes of traditional and modern Breton music; the name means "young"

   Grammar Note

   The adjective "yaouank" (young) is itself the festival's name

10. Gouel Sant Loup

    Saint-Loup Festival (Guingamp)

    Usage

    A festival of Breton dance and music held in Guingamp

    Grammar Note

    "Festival of Saint Loup"; gouel is a masculine noun

11. Gouel Breizh

    Brittany Day (Fête de la Bretagne)

    Usage

    A cultural celebration held across Brittany around May each year

    Grammar Note

    "Festival of Brittany"; two nouns side by side show belonging

12. Bloavezh mat !

    Happy New Year!

    Usage

    A greeting at the start of the year

    Grammar Note

    Literally "good year"

13. Nedeleg laouen !

    Merry Christmas!

    Usage

    A Christmas greeting

    Grammar Note

    Literally "happy Christmas"

14. Gouel laouen !

    Happy festival!

    Usage

    A greeting exchanged on a feast day

    Grammar Note

    "Happy festival"; gouel is masculine, so the adjective stays unchanged

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