Symbol of Breton culture par excellence, the fest-noz is a particularly festive gathering where the Bretons practice traditional dances to music played by local groups. Now recognised throughout the world, this event was registered a few years ago as part of UNESCO's intangible heritage.
In Brittany, the fest-noz is an ancestral tradition. A region whose heritage is mainly from rural culture, it comes from the evenings when the farmers, after a day spent together in the fields, would meet and dance joyfully to traditional music played on the spot.
Meaning "night party" in Breton, the fest-noz is a place where people come mainly to dance. Nevertheless, these events are also perfect occasions to get together, meet up and chat over a drink.
Fallen into oblivion after the Second World War, the fest-noz came back to the forefront thanks to the national success of Breton and Celtic music in the 1990s.
Every November, a big fest-noz is organised in Rennes, the Breton capital. The event is a great success and welcomes, each year, between 5 and 10,000 participants from different social and geographical backgrounds.
Today, the fest-noz (festoù-noz in the plural) enjoys international recognition thanks to its inclusion on a UNESCO list which aims to ensure a high profile for traditions handed down from generation to generation.
Celebrations and gatherings synonymous with sharing, conviviality and joy, festoù-noz are dear to the hearts of Bretons (of origin or adoption) from all over the world!
To know the dates and places of the next events, go to this site.
Bérengère for Comme des Français
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