Blogs

The British Labour Party in Scotland is in turmoil. The leader of the Scottish Labour Party Johann Lamont has stood down. There is a wave of internal self-recrimination within this deeply flawed political party. It is all deserved. The act of treachery perpetrated by the Scottish Labour Party, who sided with the Conservatives to stab Scotland in the back during the Scottish referendum campaign, came as no surprise to many. After all they have been kicking the Scottish working class voters who have been loyally voting for them in the teeth for years.

Plaid Cymru/The Party of Wales is gathering for its autumn conference in Llangollen. Welcoming the delegates to the two-day conference Plaid Cymru AM (elected member to the National Assembly of Wales/Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru) for North Wales Llyr Gruffydd said:

"I am very pleased to welcome Plaid Cymru members, new and old, to Llangollen for this important conference.

Kentelioù an Noz is an organisation that offers adult classes in the Breton language as well as other activities linked to the culture of Brittany. They have announced a day of learning and revision for those interested in the Breton language. 

Dundee (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Dé) is the fourth largest City in Scotland. It is situated on the north bank of the Firth of Tay (Scottish Gaelic: Linne Tatha) in the east of the central Lowlands. In the referendum on Scottish independence a majority of 57.35% voted in favour of independence.

The Ulster city of Doire, the fourth largest city in Ireland, is home to a unique initiative which aims to create a Gaeltacht Quarter in the city where the language of daily commerce is Gaelic. The focal point of this effort is the Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, a purpose-built Irish language, cultural and enterprise center based in the Walled City's historic Great James Street area.  The Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin is intended to act as a hub for Gaelic cultural groups and has been hailed as a catalyst for Celtic language enthusiasts. 

The Manx hills were filled with the sound of drumming at sunset yesterday. A Celtic drumming circle was created, like the ones our ancestors used at significant gatherings, including the celebrations of equinoxes in the times of our pre-Christian past and carrying on into the Christian period. In the build up to the event Drumming workshops have been held for young people as an Island of Culture event. The Isle of Man Arts Council has sponsored youth worker, Cathi Wareing, to lead a number of Celtic drumming workshops across the island this month.

Scotland's Gaelic cultural festival, the National Mod, held in Inverness (Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Nis) over nine days has come to an end and, as reported by the BBC, been 'hailed a huge success'. Over the duration of the festival, more than 3,000 entrants competed in 200 competitions in Highland dancing, music, song, literature and drama. There was also large number of fringe events. 

We know that great strides are being made in developing Celtic language education for those of school age. Well let's not forget adult learners and here's an item from Scottish newspaper the Aberdeen Press and Journal: 'A Skye teacher who only started learning Gaelic in earnest after he retired has scooped one the language’s biggest prizes.

BZH New York is an organization of Bretons and friends of Brittany dedicated to promoting the culture, economy, tourism, and language of Brittany. Their Halloween Fest Noz is on Saturday, November 1st @ 7pm at Connolly's Times Square "Klub 45" (121 W 45th St. 3rd floor). There will be performances by ISTRELOG, and the Duo Hélias/Gérard

From 7pm to 2am, $20 Regular Admission, $10 for Members (and for people in costume), $5 for Children (ages 16 and under).

The funeral of Pierre Toulhoat takes place this afternoon. He died on October 13th at the age of 91. He was a master craftsman in ceramics, stained glass, fabric and metal. Born in Quimper (Breton: Kemper) in  Finistère (Breton: Penn-ar-Bed) his native Brittany and its legends inspired much of his work including that of the lost underwater City of Ys. It can also be seen in his beautifully made Celtic jewellery of triskels, knotwork, torques, Celtic-crosses and other intricate designs.