Interceltic Festival: the secrets of Breton music to attract young people

Charles Guyard (in Lorient), edited by Gauthier Delomez 06:12, August 13, 2022

"It's very catchy, it's a very strong cultural identity", says a first festival-goer on Europe 1. The Interceltic Festival ends this weekend in Lorient in Morbihan.

And the least we can say is that Celtic music attracts all generations.

They are still very numerous, and younger and younger too, to celebrate this Celtic identity each year.

This confirms that traditional music does not mean outdated.

The diversity of Breton music

"We said 'Ah this music, it was a bit old-fashioned'", says Jean-Philippe Mauras, the artistic director.

"We must cultivate the young people of today to these musics because they are the ones who will make the festival", he adds to the microphone of Europe 1. The young people and sometimes very young people crossed in the aisles of the interceltic are not there by chance: Breton music is part of their repertoire, and sometimes always has been.

>> Find Europe morning weekend - 6-8 in podcast and replay here 

"What I like is the diversity of Breton music compared to other music, which is a bit always the same", assures another festival-goer.

"I have Breton origins", evokes a third, "I heard when I was younger, it was always festive."

Multiple influences

Festive, lively, and tunes that cross all generations.

This is the case of the song

, the success of Alan Stivell in the 1970s, which was then taken up by the group Manau with the title

in the 1990s, then by Nolwenn Leroy in 2010. Further proof that Breton music has no age.

This is also what seduces Galatea, 34, who is amazed by the look of the musicians.

"They look like guys who would go to Hellfest and at the same time, they play the biniou!", She exclaims.

An instrument that we also hear at the metal music festival, with bands like the Dropkick Murphys.

The Celtic influence therefore permeates all musical currents.