The Kenleur confederation is organizing the second round of the national Breton dance championship this Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17, at the Palais des Congrès in Saint-Brieuc. “The Meliaj festival will beat to the rhythm of Breton culture both on Saturday, Place de la Grille, the heart of the city, and on the stages of the Palais des Congrès on the weekend,” says Mathieu Lamour, director of Kenleur.
26 Breton dance troupes
With 1,000 artists, including 26 Breton dance troupes, the festival offers a variety of shows. On the program: urban representations, artistic tests and “costumes”, the latter highlighting the approach to clothing research. The national championship takes place in two parts: the average obtained in the traditional part in Vannes (Tradi’Deiz) accounts for 35% of the final score and the Briochin meeting (Meliaj) for 65%. 60 jurors will have the delicate task of rating and classifying the groups. The latter, classified from the first to the fourth category, come from the five departments of historic Brittany and the Paris region.
(Photo archives)
Trophy Faltaziañ, Fest-noz, ball for children…
For the second year, the Faltazia Trophy (“imagine” in Breton) returns, offering the Briochins the opportunity to discover another facet of Breton culture. Carte blanche is given to all aesthetics who would like to try their hand at it: modern jazz, hip-hop, classical… with two requirements: dance and a link with Brittany.
This year, the Klas’ Dans of the Grand-Clos school will present the restitution of its work carried out as part of the 100% EAC (artistic and cultural education) program. The exhibition esplanade will come alive to get the public dancing thanks to the fest-noz planned for Saturday May 16, from 8:30 p.m. until 2:15 a.m., headlined by the duo Talez/Noguet, musicians, singers, and finally DJ Manoa Mairand. Another new feature, the children’s ball with the Queniaos group, on Sunday at 10 a.m., is planned there. The presentation of the shows will be in three languages: Breton, French and Gallo.
Practical
Meliaj, weekend of May 16 and 17, in Saint-Brieuc. Complete program on www.kenleur.bzhÂ; free street shows, Place de la Grille too. Weekend pass: €10, single price from 12 years old. In case of rainy weather, fallback solutions. Refreshment bar and food trucks available on the Palais esplanade.
