[eurolange] Francia leva moitos anos vulnerando os dereitos das linguas minoritarias faladas no seu territorio. Se estivese solicitando o ingreso na Unión Europea non lle sería permitido por este motivo. Aínda hoxe segue sen ratificar tratados "lights" como a CELROM ou o FCNM e continúa a negar calquera achega substantiva para as escolas bretoas Diwan. O ano pasado a UNESCO declarou o bretón como idioma en perigo de desaparición. En 1900 este idioma era a lingua celta máis falada, hoxe cun perfil de falantes de avanzada idade, as porcentaxes caíron drasticamente. Só o 1% dos escolares da Bretaña poden recibir o ensino medio en bretón. Celebrating in adversity
The question remains though that in 2008, when the EU overtly supports linguistic diversity, when languages like Breton can participate in EU language projects, when the entire planet can see that linguistic diversity and immersion education has numerous benefits - why do Breton parents and public have to engage on sponsored runs and other fund raising events simply to have their children educated in the language of their country? Its a right recognised across Europe, Breton parents pay taxes to France for the education of their children, yet have to find more money to pay for Breton-medium education.
In 1900 it was the most widely spoken Celtic language, today with an ageing speaker profile, numbers are set to fall drastically. Added to that only 1% of all schoolchildren in Brittany go to Breton-medium schools - schools which are constantly undermined, underfunded or blocked outright, despite parental demand. Such a situation would be unthinkable in Wales, Catalonia, the Basque Country or Galicia.
Diwan, the Breton immersion school organisation, celebrates its 30th birthday this weekend. The anniversary was launched with Ar Redadeg, the sponsored run to support Diwan, setting off last night from Naoned (Nantes) in southern Brittany. The run ends on Saturday with a Breton festival in Karaez in central Brittany. Meanwhile, Breton activists are preparing for May 7th when the French Parliament will be debating ‘regional’ languages.
Saturday sees the runners arrive at the Diwan college at Kerampuilh in Karaez (Carhaix) which is hosting a Breton festival with concerts featuring traditional and modern music. Featured artists include Dan ar Braz, Carre Manchot, Nolwenn Korbell, and a fest noz with the Morvan brothers and Karma.
The launch last night featured Breton rock from Gweltaz Adeux, along with his son’s, (Maloù) band Prim.
Diwan has achieved much in those 30 years, enjoys enormous public support in Brittany, helped to create a new generation of Breton speakers, and at all times with virtually no state support. A French government initiative in 2000 attempted to establish funding for Diwan and to bring it into the state sector, however, two French unions, backed by jacobin politicians, managed to overrule the move in the Conseil d’Etat.
Penn bloedh lowen / Happy birthday Diwan, and here’s to the next 30 years. (Eurolang 2008)
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