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Brittany combines festival and protest march
Protection for Breton language and culture and the reunification of Breton departments: these were the demands of those taking part in the Festimanif, which took place in Nantes on September 20 and was supported by over a dozen Breton associations and organizations. The organizers wanted to combine a festival atmosphere with a protest march, and have announced that more than 10,000 people took part. There was also a trade fair attended by local businesses, as well as Breton music and dance.
Participants also called for the five departments that make up the historical region of Brittany to be reintegrated into a single administrative region. The region of Brittany currently comprises the four western departments, while a fifth, the Loire-Atlantique department, is situated in the Pays-de-la-Loire region.
There were also calls for power and resources to be transferred from central government to Brittany's regional government and for Breton language and culture to receive greater protection.
The Culture Council of Brittany was responsible for organizing the event, with support from a number of organizations, including the Cultural Institute of Brittany, United Brittany and the federation of Breton-language schools, or Diwan.
Further information:- BZH+, Festimanif official website
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