Brittany-Scotland has written to Michel Barnier, freshly appointed “Brexit” negotiator for the UE : the association wish that European citizens still can freely study, work and live
in Scotland in spite of “Brexit”.
A successful EUROCEILIDH was organised in September 30th by Brittany-Scotland vice-president Rob Gibson, benefiting to Calais’ refugees.
Journey to Scotland: follow Patrice and Maryline on their blog : http://patetmary.e-monsite.com/
Our two friends will propose the photos, videos, stories and music met along their trip this September!
Answers to the open letter to the French President Hollande (see August):
Hollande and May blur Brexit effects on EU citizens rights to study and work in Scotland. The Brittany Scotland Association received vague replies from President Francois Hollande and Prime
Minister Theresa May on any assurances that students, job seekers and cultural exchanges can continue between France and Scotland following the Brexit vote. In a letter of 16th August Isabelle
Sima, the Chef de Cabinet of President Hollande said that France Germany and Italy would propose new moves to give new impetus to three essential EU priorities, internal and external security,
stronger economy and social cohesion and an ambitious programme for young people. They would wish to continue friendly relations between France and the UK.
Therefore, on 30th September the first of a series of ceilidhs will be help to celebrate the theme ‘We are Europeans’. It takes place in the SNP Club, North St Andrews Street,
Edinburgh at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at the club (see below).
Rob Friends in Europe - Ceilidh 30/09/2016
August 2016 :
OPEN LETTER TO FRENCH PRESIDENT HOLLANDE : Maintain free access for EU citizens to study, live and work in Scotland
The Brittany Scotland Association has written to President Francois Hollande, Prime Minister Theresa May and First Minister
Nicola Sturgeon to seek assurances that students, job seekers and cultural exchanges can continue between France and Scotland following the
Brexit vote. The president and vice-president of Brittany-Scotland Association were asked to make this plea by the annual meeting held in
Quimper on 16th July.
Pierre Deligniere and Rob Gibson have promoted student exchanges and cultural links over the past fifteen years. Their
open letter seeks to assure Scots and French citizens alike that agreement has to be reached to keep open prospects which could be threatened
by the uncertainties raised in the tortuous negotiations that are in their early stages over Brexit conditions.
Pierre Deligniere, president of Brittany-Scotland, said,
“Breton and French students who contact the association have all the same dream of Scotland, they are attracted by the same realistic vision
of Scotland: they are also pragmatic, willing to make their dream become true when they wish to study, live and work in the country they are
fond of.
They needed help from Europe before Brexit, they still will need help from Europe after Brexit.
Therefore, we need assurances that post-Brexit negotiations will not alter or downgrade what is good in Europe for Europeans among Europeans
Scots still want to remain.”
Former SNP MSP Rob Gibson, who is vice president of Bretagne-Ecosse, said, “These assurances work both ways to
the benefit of young people. The EU Erasmus scheme has opened the eyes of many bright young students to our European heritage and prospects.
As an MSP, for instance, I was able to provide internships for students from SiencePo college in Rennes, the Breton region’s capital. I would
not like to think that young Bretons and young Scots would find it any more difficult in future to find work, make cultural links or find
internships in either of our nations.
I’m sure that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon would agree wholeheartedly with our aims. We want President Hollande and Prime Minister May to
be aware of the implications of any hard Brexit talks on international exchanges with our nearest neighbours in Europe.”
July 2016 :
International Symposium on ‘Brittany and Scotland’
About thirty academics met on the 30th of June and the 1st of July in at the international symposium organised by Brest’s university to discuss with success about the close
relationship between Brittany and Scotland on such issues as language, music or traditions …
Brittany-Scotland association was present at the symposium with a stand with books on Scottish literature …
Our vice-president, Rob Gibson, explained and discussed the attachment and commitment of Scotland, and especially the Highlands and Islands
to European policies.
Cultural events in Quimper
Rob Gibson opened the Scottish cultural meeting following Brest symposium on the 2nd of July ‘Chez Max’ in Quimper on the same issues as the previous day but with a new and
attentive audience.
Then, introduced by Camille Manfredi, Edinburgh machar poet Christine de Luca read her wonderful Shetlandic poems.
Eventually, Alix Quoniam, in a packed full room ‘Chez Max’, charmed her audience with great Hebrides’ songs.
Annual general meeting
The 9th of July AGM was the occasion for Brittany-Scotland Association to recall its main purposes: to help both Breton and Scottish youth after Brexit and promote Brittany
and Scotland and their culture in Europe. And organise a Ceilidh in Edinburgh by the end of September, or a Burns’ supper in Quimper in January …
Dremmwel, 30 years old
Great audience for a great concert: Breton band Dremmwel, here accompanied by Rob Gibson, was youthfully and cheerfully celebrating its 30th anniversary at Cornwall Celtic
Festival on the 20th of July’s night!
May 2016 :
Holyrood 5 May 2016 elections results:
SNP: 63 seats (-6 seats/2011)
Conservatives: 31 seats (+16)
Labour: 24 seats (-13)
Green Party: Six seats (+4)
Lib Dems: Five seats (no change)
Nicola Sturgeon is relected First Minister.
Alba Bihan, Scottish dances Association in Vannes proposes Breton dance lessons for beginners
on 4th June. Its new website is: http://albabihan.wifeo.com/
Malestroit in Morbihan and Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders are joyfully twinned. In the first
week of April, Jedburgh welcomed Malestroit rugby club and the local pipe band (Bagad Aùel Douar) whilst the two cities
plan new projects! Information on Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Malestroit.Jedburgh.2016/?fref=ts
The Celts are coming to Edinburgh. But who were they? You are to find the answer at the National Museum of Scotland, now hosting a major exhibition
on Celtic art from across the continent from 10 March to 25 September.
More information at: www.nms.ac.uk/celts/
The accompanying finely illustrated book, Celts : Art and Identity, is to be found in bookshops or via: www.britishmuseumshoponline.org
If in Brittany, do not miss Alix Quoniam’s songs, texts and photo exhibition on lights of Hebrides isles! Sunday 27 March, 4 pm at Sainte-Brigitte’s church, Morbihan.
January 2016 :
As winter is harsh in Scotland this year, Breton magazine ArMen just published an illustrated report on Scotland “Coeur de l’hiver”.
Alba Bihan teach you Scottish danses in Vannes and organize each year a Burns Night Ceilidh. More information on
www.albabihan.fr.
