manx celtic music and dance

Manx culture proves a hit at Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany

18 Aug 2015


Manx music, dance, art, literature, food and drink, crafts, cultural and tourist information were shared with more than 800,000 people at Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany.

The good news is they can’t get enough of everything and anything related to the Isle of Man.

Whether it’s Manx queenies or bumbee cages, traditional dance or singer-songwriters, the ‘heart of the Celtic world’ has taken centre stage and shown that, as a nation, the Isle of Man can punch above its weight.

More than 100 musicians and dancers featured in two amazing gala nights at the Grand Theatre and the Espace Marine - the latter a dazzling show centring on Manannan and the sea.

Carefully choreographed to showcase the very finest Manx dance, music and song within a tight timescale, the show received a standing ovation - and this was only the first half before jointly honoured nation, Cornwall, took to the stage.

It is hoped that the show will be performed again in the Isle of Man in the not too distant future.

Manx food and drink have proved incredibly popular at the Isle of Man-Cornwall pavilion, which caters for thousands of people each day. Artisan products and souvenirs formed the centre of a busy shop where tourist and cultural information was also handed out each day.

A joint art exhibition with Cornwall has broken festival records in terms of footfall and popularity. 

Meanwhile, the island enjoyed success in the Trophée Loic Raison. Trio Barrule, comprising accordian player Jamie Smith, violinist Thomas Callister and Adam Rhodes, was awarded the top spot while the Ruth Keggin Band was in close second.

The Manx contingent at the festival also includes composer and multi-instrumentalist David Kilgallon, Ny Fennee dance group and trumpet player Russell Gilmour.

original article: http://www.iomtoday.co.im/what-s-on/manx-entertainment-news/manx-culture-proves-a-hit-at-festival-interceltique-de-lorient-in-brittany-1-7415329

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Article about the Manx double victory at Trophée Loic Raison

MTTV videos Paul Moulton from MTTV joined the Manx delegation to report back daily to the Island. You can find 18 videos at manx.net, including this one about Cairistiona Dougherty who sang in Alain Pennac’s new score for Hitchcock’s iconic silent movie The Manxman 

Ben Ellis also made this fabulous video about Ny Fennee in Lorient

OFFICIAL FIL videos

Soirée d'ouverture Cornouailles Île de Man- Festival Interceltique Lorient 2015

Grande Nuit de la Cornouailles et de l'Île de Man - Festival Interceltique Lorient 2015

Photo of Jamie Smith from Barrule: FIL

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