1. Home
    2.  
  2. In brief
  3. Language and culture, Political parties and trade-unions, Politics and institutions, Civil society and social movements

In brief

Thousands demonstrate in support for teaching of Breton

Civil society groups call for new agreement that helps promote language in schools

 
The demonstration in Kemper.
The demonstration in Kemper. Author: Ai\'ta! Breizh
3,000 to 5,000 people demonstrated on Saturday 13 in Kemper (Quimper) demanding the signing of a new agreement between the French and Breton governments that helps promote the teaching of Breton in schools. Negotiations for the agreement are currently stalled.

Convening civil society groups had unveiled a 10-point manifesto in which they demand, among other measures, that the future deal facilitate the opening of new bilingual or immersive classes in Breton at the primary and secondary levels, a better training for teachers, or the offering, to all students in Brittany, of introductory classes to the Breton language and culture.

The agreement is usually signed for five-year periods. The last one ran out in 2020 and no new one has been signed yet. Breton President Loïg Chesnais-Girard claims that a “blockade” exists on the issue, and blames the French Ministry of Education for the situation.