Brittany has been a member of the UNPO since 2015. 

Brittany, located in north-west France, is a region with a deeply rooted historical and cultural heritage that distinguishes it as a unique entity within France. Brittany’s struggle for cultural and linguistic preservation, as well as its efforts for greater representation, reflects the broader challenges faced by many regional and minority communities in France. The Breton people’s commitment to preserving their identity despite legal and political challenges shows why it’s important to support their right to self-determination. Ensuring that the Breton people can exercise their cultural rights within France would not only strengthen their community but also contribute to the cultural richness and diversity of the French Republic. The international community’s support for these efforts is essential in safeguarding the future of the Breton language and identity.

The UNPO secretariat works for the rights of the people of Brittany as a whole and might work with different civil society organizations, groups and representatives from Brittany. However, the main organization representing the rights of the people of Brittany within the UNPO membership and with voting rights at the General Assembly is the Kelc’h An Dael (KAD). You can read more about Kelc’h An Dael here.

The Breton people have maintained a strong sense of identity through their language, Breton, which is closely related to Welsh and Cornish. This language, along with the Gallo dialect, traditional music, dance, and cuisine, forms the backbone of Breton cultural expression. Festivals celebrating Breton culture, such as the Festival Interceltique de Lorient, highlight the region’s vibrant traditions and pride. Despite the pressures of modernization and globalization, the Breton people continue to assert their cultural distinctiveness, demonstrating resilience in preserving their identity within the broader French and European contexts.

Brittany has a long history of autonomy and a distinct cultural identity, once encompassing not only its current region but also the department of Loire-Atlantique, including the city of Nantes. Historically, Brittany was an independent duchy until the late 15th century when it was unified with France through a violent military invasion, that will lead to the marriage of Duchess Anne of Brittany to two successive French kings. Over time, Brittany’s autonomy was gradually eroded, and by the 19th century, it was fully integrated into France. This integration led to the centralization of power in Paris and the suppression of regional identities, including the Breton language and cultural practices.

The French Revolution and subsequent republican policies further diminished Brittany’s autonomy,  by the abolition of the Parliament of Brittany, with later with the region’s historical capital, Nantes, being administratively separated from Brittany and placed in the Pays de la Loire region. This division has remained a point of contention, with many Bretons advocating for the reunification of Brittany with Nantes and Loire-Atlantique.

Brittany faces significant challenges related to its cultural and linguistic preservation. The 2014 law on territorial organization, which was ratified by the French National Assembly, perpetuates the division of Brittany by maintaining the separation of Nantes and Loire-Atlantique from the region. This decision has been widely criticized by Breton activists who view it as a denial of their historical and cultural rights.

Language preservation is a critical concern for the Breton people. The number of Breton speakers is steadily declining, with an estimated loss of around 10,000 speakers annually. Most fluent speakers are aged 70 or older, and without strong legal protections, Breton, along with other regional languages, faces the risk of extinction. France’s failure to ratify the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages has exacerbated this threat, leaving Breton and other regional languages vulnerable.

Recent legal developments have further complicated efforts to protect and promote the Breton language. In 2021, France’s Constitutional Court struck down key provisions of the “Molac Law,” which aimed to expand the teaching of regional languages, including Breton, within schools. The Court specifically ruled against immersive language education, where regional languages are used as the primary medium of instruction, arguing that it violated the French Constitution’s requirement for French to be the language of public instruction. This decision has been met with widespread disappointment and protest from Breton activists and communities who view it as a significant setback in their efforts to preserve and revitalize the Breton language.

The refusal to acknowledge and accommodate cultural diversity has also had broader implications for French society. It has contributed to tensions between the central government and regional communities, particularly in areas with strong cultural identities like Brittany, Corsica, and the Basque Country. 

Brittany’s fight to preserve its cultural and linguistic heritage and seek greater autonomy emphasizes the importance of embracing diversity in a democratic society. Supporting the Breton people and other minority communities in exercising their cultural rights and participating in democracy is key to building a more inclusive and fair society.