Bretons call on the peoples of Europe for support for their language and culture
Bruxelles - Brussel, Thursday, 01 June 2006 by Davyth Hicks
Bretons are calling on all the peoples of Europe for support as they demonstrate for the survival of their language and culture on Saturday 3rd June in Rennes.
All of Breton civil society as well as the autonomist political parties such as the UDB and Parti Breton are rallying for support. Outside of Brittany the European Parliament national minority Intergroup has proposed that the EU intervene on behalf of the ‘regional’ languages in France because of the situation of endangerment that languages such as Breton now face. Also, Flemish leftist MPs, a Minister from the Isle of Man, the Celtic League, and the Cornish news website, an Buro, have called for support.
The demonstration comes at a critical moment for what was, in the early 20th century, the most widely spoken Celtic language. The vast majority of its estimated 270,000 speakers are over 60 following a breakdown in intergenerational language transmission after WWII and the eradication of the use of Breton in virtually all domains of public life subsequent to State intolerance and ensuing policy towards the linguistic diversity within its territories.
Today, only 2% of the schoolchildren are taught through the medium of Breton by varying methods. Despite huge parental demand the state has acted to ensure, through a Conseil d’Etat decision, that little public money goes into developing Breton medium education.
The demo will also be addressing the issue of reunification with the department of Loire Atlantique, greater regional autonomy, and development of the Gallo language.
Eurolang fully backs the demonstration and we call upon our readers to show their support by attending the demo, by writing letters of support to the organisers, and by writing to your French embassy demanding that France ratifies the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and gives full public provision for the regeneration of all of its ‘regional’ languages.
The demo will commence at 14.30, Saturday 3rd June, Plasenn Hoche - Place Hoche, Roazhon - Rennes, Breizh – Brittany. Eurolang
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