Goursez Vreizh - July 17th, 2004Report by Geoff Orient (Holdrevel)
 Sue Roberts [Bardic name ‘Kembroes’] and me Geoff Orient [‘Holdrevel’] on Tuesday 13 July went to Brittany for a short holiday and also as Cornish delegates to the Breton Gorsedh. Brasparts or Brasparz is the location for the Gorsedh. There is a meadow close to the village with a stone circle of granite. In the village there is the Breton centre/Gorsedh office, open every day except Tuesday! Oh well, we returned on Wednesday and introduced ourselves to Claude Amice who gave us the necessary information about the day.  After a brilliant holiday we returned to Brasparts for the ceremony on Sunday 17. We gathered in the village hall for instruction and information about the ceremony issued by Gwenc’hlan, Per Kerloch and his wife Elizabeth. Also in the hall was an exhibition on the Gorsedh. We started the procession outside the hall led by six pipers with the lady of the flowers on horseback. We proceeded through the village to the circle. Susan Roberts [Kembroes] and a Breton Bard preceeded Ifan [the Welsh delegate] and me [Howldrevel] with Gwenc’hlan behind. On reaching the Omborth in the circle, Gwenc’hlan ascended it and invited Ifan and me to join him after we gave a short speech. The framework of the ceremony is close to ours and after another speech in Welsh and English from Ifan and Kernewek from me Gwenc’hlan delivered his, during his speech he had various documents which included anti Breton literature burnt!  The next part was the initiation of the new bards followed by the joining of the sword done by Kembroes and the Breton bard. The sword is then handed to Gwenc’hlan. The last part is the celebration and distribution of the mistletoe to everyone. We returned to the village hall for food, beer, cider and wine and pig roasted over wood! Very tasty! After eating and speaking to everyone we finally [after five hours] left for Roscoff, Aber Plym and Kernow. The day,the people,the hospitality the ceremony were fantastic and we would like to participate again. The following is a translation of my speech to the Breton Gorsedh: "Good day Grand druid and the Breton Gorsedh, we are honoured to be here and bring greetings from Gorsedh Kernow. We also wait to welcome Gwenc’hlan and M. Labasse to Gorsedh Kernow in September. I am happy to take this chance to say something about our Keltek countries. In past times we all traded together without need to go through other countries first. Why not?? Perhaps some traders were “night traders” in fact but what was wrong with that business? They were honest men! Now we all work in different ways but I still believe that there is no need to go through other countries first! I believe strongly that it is crucial to work together to strengthen the links between our Keltek countries. It is important to remember that we are not separated by the sea but joined by our Keltek sea. The sea is not a barrier between us but a highway!!! Breizh Atao!" Return to 'Welcome - News'
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