Selaouit Cathal, a lavar en iwerzhoneg e soñj diwar ar festival hag an iwerzhoneg hiziv-an-deiz :
1. Cathal, how did you know the Interceltic Festival of Lorient ?
I first heard of the festival a few years ago when my friends were brought over to play here. Since then I had discovered that other friends of mine had visited in the past and all had good things to say about it.
«Chuala mé faoin bhféile don chéad uair nuair a tháinig cúpla cairde liomsa trasna chun seinm anseo. Ó shin, bhí roinnt ceoltóirí eile a bhfuil aithne agam ar a sheinn anseo freisin agus bhí cuile duine acu an-dearfach faoin bhféile.»
2. What is “be Interceltic” for You ?
For me, “Interceltic” is the people of the Celtic nations coming together to share their culture, music, songs, dance and languages. It is a special bond that that we have and brings enjoyment to both performers and spectators alike all over the world.
«Domsa, ‘sé “Idir-Cheilteach” muintir na dtíortha ársa ceilteacha seo ag teacht le céile chun a chuid cultúr, ceol, amhráin agus teangacha a roinnt. Is rud speisialta atá eadrainn agus cuireann sé gliondar sna croítha na ndaoine á chuireann in iúl agus an lucht féachanta araon.»
3. Speak Irish = be Irish ? What would Irish teenagers think ?
I think that most people in Ireland like the idea of being able to speak Irish, but unfortunately opportunities to speak it outside the education system can be difficult to come by. Language only lives if it is used as a method of communication and for the vast majority of young people in Ireland, English is their natural way to interact with each other. However, Irish is regularly heard at traditional music sessions and festivals and hopefully this will grow as the number of musicians grows too.
«Ceapaimse gur mhaith le formhór na ndaoine a bheith in ann Gaeilge a labhairt ach, ar an ndrochuair, bíonn sé deacair teacht ar deiseanna í a labhairt taobh amuigh den chóras oideachais. Is beatha an teanga í a labhairt ach don chuid is mó don aos óg ‘sé Béarla an teanga comarsáide atá acu. Ach, ag an am céanna cloistear an Ghaeilge go minic agus go nádurtha ag seisiúin agus féilte ceoil agus, le cúnamh Dé, leanfaidh sé sin ar aghaidh agus líon na gceoltóirí ag fás.»
4. What do you prefer in Lorient ?
Having lived in Lorient for the last two months or so, the best thing about Lorient is the people. They are a very humorous and welcoming bunch!
«Agus mé i mo chónaí in Lorient le dhá mhí anuas, an rud is fearr liom ná muintir na háite. Is daoine fáiltiúil flaithiúil barrúil iad.»
5. What do you think about Breton Culture ?
I am still discovering Breton culture and I was lucky enough to be invited to a Fest Noz last week. The most enjoyable aspect of it for me was the mixture of ages and how everybody chipped in to help out beforehand with the preparation, and again afterwards with the clean-up. It was a real community effort and added to the wonderful atmosphere.
«Bhí an t-ádh liomsa an deireadh seachtaine seo chaite cuireadh a fháil do Fest Noz Briotánach traidisiúntach. Ba thaithí iontach é agus an rud a bhain mé an mhéid is mó sult as ná an meitheal oibre a bhí ar siúl acu. Thug an-chuid daoine lámh chúnta agus chuir sé sin go mór leis an t-aitmeasféar. Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine!»
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