Per Vari Kerloc'h
Encyclopedia
Per Vari Kerloc'h is the current Grand Druid of the Goursez Breizh (founded in 1899). He was born at Douarnenez, in the western part of Brittany
. The Grand Druid is appointed for life (in succession to predecessor Gwenc'hlan Le Scouëzec
), whereas the Welsh
and Cornish
equivalents are now elected every three years. Per Vari has been a middle manager and trade union representative with La Poste
. He is a native Breton
speaker and a fluent speaker of Cornish
. His bardic name is Morgan.
Per Vari Kerloc'h was welcomed at the Welsh National Eisteddfod in Cardiff
(Kerdiz in Breton) in 2008. An article in English published in the newspaper "Connexion" explains that after 2 years as a disciple, it is possible to become an Ovate, Bard or Druid, as in Wales
. This is different to Gorseth Kernow
which has one order, Bards, and a Grand Bard who is elected for just one 3 year period. Goursez Breizh has members who are Christian, Jewish or atheist. They consider anyone living in Brittany
as Breton. It is hoped that a younger new leader, rooted in Breton language culture will refocus the Goursez on Breton cultural matters as was the original intent of the movement.
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
. The Grand Druid is appointed for life (in succession to predecessor Gwenc'hlan Le Scouëzec
Gwenc'hlan Le Scouëzec
Loïc Gwenc'hlan Le Scouëzec was a Breton writer and Grand Druid of Brittany.Gwenc’hlan was born in Brittany. His father was Maurice Le Scouëzec, a painter...
), whereas the Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
and Cornish
Cornwall
Cornwall is a unitary authority and ceremonial county of England, within the United Kingdom. It is bordered to the north and west by the Celtic Sea, to the south by the English Channel, and to the east by the county of Devon, over the River Tamar. Cornwall has a population of , and covers an area of...
equivalents are now elected every three years. Per Vari has been a middle manager and trade union representative with La Poste
La Poste (France)
La Poste is the mail service of France, which also operates postal services in the French Overseas Departments of Réunion, Guadeloupe, Martinique and French Guiana, and the territorial collectivities of Saint Pierre and Miquelon and Mayotte...
. He is a native Breton
Breton language
Breton is a Celtic language spoken in Brittany , France. Breton is a Brythonic language, descended from the Celtic British language brought from Great Britain to Armorica by migrating Britons during the Early Middle Ages. Like the other Brythonic languages, Welsh and Cornish, it is classified as...
speaker and a fluent speaker of Cornish
Cornish language
Cornish is a Brythonic Celtic language and a recognised minority language of the United Kingdom. Along with Welsh and Breton, it is directly descended from the ancient British language spoken throughout much of Britain before the English language came to dominate...
. His bardic name is Morgan.
Per Vari Kerloc'h was welcomed at the Welsh National Eisteddfod in Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
(Kerdiz in Breton) in 2008. An article in English published in the newspaper "Connexion" explains that after 2 years as a disciple, it is possible to become an Ovate, Bard or Druid, as in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. This is different to Gorseth Kernow
Gorseth Kernow
Gorseth Kernow is a non-political Cornish organisation, which exists to maintain the national Celtic spirit of Cornwall in the United Kingdom.-History:...
which has one order, Bards, and a Grand Bard who is elected for just one 3 year period. Goursez Breizh has members who are Christian, Jewish or atheist. They consider anyone living in Brittany
Brittany
Brittany is a cultural and administrative region in the north-west of France. Previously a kingdom and then a duchy, Brittany was united to the Kingdom of France in 1532 as a province. Brittany has also been referred to as Less, Lesser or Little Britain...
as Breton. It is hoped that a younger new leader, rooted in Breton language culture will refocus the Goursez on Breton cultural matters as was the original intent of the movement.