Discover one of the most beautiful summer festivities in Morbihan: The Lorient Interceltic Festival!
Every year, throughout the FIL, commonly abbreviated in 3 letters, which is traditionally the first week of August, a Celtic country is represented and is at the forefront of the festival. For example, 2022 was represented by the Asturias, a Spanish autonomous community.
For the 2023 edition, 52 years of the FILthe region represented will be Ireland, region where Celtic culture is well rooted in morals. As a result, the festival will host many foreigners from Ireland, but also from other Celtic countries. The city Lorient So put up advertisements. These will promote as much as possible this summer festival, which is, in part, Lorient's fame. This festival, which lasts a little more than a week, applies the codes of conviviality, undisputed quality of the Bretons. The city also strives, as every year, to welcome festivalgoers who wish to discover the region. The Lorients, who are accustomed to this turbulent period, will be able to guide you and ensure a good stay among them in their country. This year, Year of Ireland, The festivities will begin on Friday 4 August and end 10 days later, Sunday 13 August 2023. More information on the festival website Here.
The different actors accompanying the festival
This summer, 52 years of the festivalIreland will be honoured. It is a country very close to Brittany, hence the importance and weight of the event information. Communication is also essential to ensure that it is well transmitted and transcribed by the various stakeholders and services offered during this important week for the city's culture and economy. And to attract as many people as possible, Lorient does not hesitate to invite artists. Especially singers with a certain reputation in Celtic countries, but also throughout France. We can also name Hubert Félix Thiefaine, I Muvrini, Cerkilt, Suzanne Vega, Clannad, Ampouailh, Startijenn, Frankie Gavin And De Dannan and many others who will be present for the festival. Thus, thanks to the intervention of these singers, the festival will be more lively and dynamic for both tourists and locals. However, audiovisual actors are not the only ones represented during this celebration. In fact, there are various other trades, which increase the diversity of activities in the Lorient. For example, craft trades that highlight their local products, Breton of course, but also Irish products to meet the theme of the year.
The typical Irish, Breton and Celt activities and products
Some interesting examples to note for your taste buds: the brand's drinks « Breizh » (Breizh Cola, Breizh Tea and Breizh Agrom). But also the biscuits and cakes St-Michel, other confectionery, pastries, regional dishes, alcoholic beverages, especially the famous Irish beer « Guinness », will be offered on the various stands throughout the city. You can also find souvenirs, gems, jewels, musical instruments and clothing. Books will also be available for adults as well as children, on the theme of Brittany, Ireland and neighbouring Celtic countries. You can find a map of the stands on the festival website. In the programming, we will also find: free night parties, music workshops, conferences, etc. And of course, the unmanageable concerts, which will take place daily on scenes installed for the occasion on the port or in the bars of the city. A Great Parade of Celtic Nations will also be proposed, a unique and unforgettable moment to live at least once in his life! 3000 artists, mostly dancers and musicians, in traditional costumes, from all Celtic countries will march through the streets of Lorient for a colourful show. It is also important to remember that 60% of concerts and activities will be free of charge. So you can spend a day alone, with family or friends without spending anything.
Modified general city adaptation for the occasion
For the occasion, the main square of Lorient will be temporarily occupied and decorated by the various stands and singers mentioned earlier. It will be structured in such a way as to make the city of Lorient attractive to welcome all the festivities. As a result, aisles that replace roads and nearby trails Jules Ferry Park allow good traffic between pedestrians. This plan, which, every year, is taken up almost identical to a few changes, is well structured to live the full Celtic atmosphere. Other sectors, which are related to recreation, will be made available by associations such as the wooden games present on the harbour esplanade. These games will allow everyone and any age to participate in original games, sometimes traditional and all in a spirit of family sharing or between friends.
Example of a game released a few years ago
For example, one of these games, which appeared in the summer of 2019, are the « Celt failures », variant of the classic failures we all know. The goal to win is not the same for each team presented in this game, which makes the game interesting. The middle clan is composed of a king and a number of lords who accompany it to fulfil a goal, that of positioning the king in one of the four castles, represented on the plateau by the four corners of the checker. While the other team, made up of 16 pawns, divided into four groups of four must catch the king and prevent him from reaching his goal. Moreover, this game represents, in playful form, the wars waged by Celtic clans in the Middle Ages. These games that are suitable for both young and old bring together family, friends around a typical Breton friendly moment.
Cultural and historical issues
To understand the cultural and historical importance of the interceltic festival, it is necessary first to know under what circumstances it was created. The FIL, ideally, must represent the Celtic regions in its entirety, but also the « countries of Lorient ». As a result, the municipalities around Lorient and most of the towns in the Morbihan help and support the host city during the festivities. And since it is a festival of many people from different backgrounds, all complement each other and allow an interculture that affects all generations. Each edition of this festival, a Celtic region is therefore honoured to propose new themes. The 51st edition honored Asturias which took place from 5 to 14 August 2022. The 50th edition in 2021, was honored this time Brittany 6-15 August.
Since Celtic countries are not very numerous (a little less than ten), some countries can be honoured in several editions. This is precisely the case with Ireland, but also of Wales or Galicia which are in their fourth edition each. Some Celtic countries are represented several times, as the festival started more than 50 years ago, in 1970 under another name.
Because of its history closely linked to France in the past, it has built a whole culture that belongs only to it. This culture, which is now an integral part of the identity of the Breton inhabitants, plays on their way of welcoming visitors. And of course, it can be seen in the week of the festival where the Bretons like to gather for a festive moment. The eight Celtic nations of the festival, namely: Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Isle of Man, Cornwall, Galicia, Asturias, Brittany, Acadia and Australia all regions represented. Secondly, representative diasporas are New Zealand, Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Cuba which also bring, each year, their lots of surprises and freshness, including FIL needs.
Volunteering ensures the festival
Also, the interceltic festival of Lorient calls on many volunteers, very often from the Lorient area, who form the very essence of the festival. Every year, many people want to participate in this great adventure and volunteers join a project that allows them to flourish and to attach themselves to values whose sharing of Celtic culture. The FIL is a Celtic mix out of standard and also one of the most popular festivals of Brittany. It is accessible by and for all generations, which also makes it its strength and wealth. Conviviality, generosity, availability and festiveness are the key words to qualify this beautiful summer event of the region of Lorient.
At Domaine des Camélias
During this week, the Morbihan will welcome a lot of tourists and many hotels and various accommodation will be complete, so if you want to take a tour, don't hesitate to book At Domaine des Camélias several weeks or even months in advance. You will benefit from a house or Bed & Breakfast Nice and quiet, ideal between two concert days.
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