In one of the townhouses in Poznan?s Old Town, one may have the chance to have a conversation in French, read the French press, see an exhibition from Paris as well as learn French, Italian and Spanish. The Brittany House has operated in Poznan for several dozen years.

The cooperation between the Wielkopolska region and the French Brittany begun in the late 80?s when Poznan and Rennes signed an agreement on a town-twinning partnership, as well as an agreement concerning the cooperation between the Ille et Villaile department and the former Poznan voivodeship. The cooperation was initiated by the Ille et Villaile ? Pologne Association established in 1989. The idea of creating the Association was inspired by the Ille et Villaile General Council, the daily Ouest France newspaper and the City of Rennes. The Association aims at promoting  and developing the cooperation between the two regions. In 1990 the Poznan Ille et Villaile Foundation was established which aims at supporting the cooperation in the field of culture, science and economy. At the same time, the Brittany House was opened in one of the townhouses in the Poznan Old Town. The activities run by Brittany House are addressed to both children and adults. ?We aim at comprehensive popularisation of culture of France, Brittany and other Celtic cities?, says Mariola Musiał, director of the Brittany House. ?This is why we organise lectures, concerts, exhibitions and speeches with the lectures on French art, prepared by the Education Department of National Museum, being most popular?, adds Musiał. ?Many French music enthusiasts are attracted by the concerts we organise ? so far we have invited the stars of the Breton traditional music including Anne Auffret, Yann-Fa?ch Kemener, Patrick Ewen, Annie Ebrel, Jean Baron, Christian Anneix, Jean-Luc Thomas, Jean-Michael Veillon, David Hopkins, Didier Squiban and many more?, says the director. Twice a year we also organise dances ? the traditional Breton Fest Noz. Usually, a group of several hundred Breton dance followers take part in the Fest Noz. They also, via the Internet, participate in the Cyber Fest Noz, a great Breton feast transmitted on the Internet. The Brittany House coordinates the organisation of the annual Days of French Culture, a municipal interdisciplinary event co-organised by Alliance Française, the Zamek Culture Centre in Poznan, the Associated Music School and the National Museum. The 16^th edition of the Days of French Culture has already taken place. For the last 12 years in November the Brittany House has been also organising Days of Brittany. The Brittany House cooperates with French language teachers and European clubs operating in Poznan schools. The House is frequently visited by school groups interested in expanding their knowledge of France and Brittany. In this case a well-stocked library of French literature proves very helpful. In the Brittany House one is given a possibility to learn Romance languages, especially French, Spanish and Italian. The open days will be held on the 29^th September from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. when one may learn about what the Brittany House currently offers, as well as enrol for a language course.

Pictures: Brittany House

Programme:

24^th September 5 p.m. ? Information meeting for those interested in the theatrical workshops (grammar school and high school students)

9^th October ? Breton dance and music workshops ? the beginning of new series.

14^th October ? Turbo Gwerz concert (Faustine Audebert, Gregoire

Hennebelle, Youenn Paranthoen) in the Brittany House