In one of the townhouses in the oldest part of Poznań, you can easily have a chat in French, read French newspapers, see an exhibition straight from Paris and even learn French, Italian or Spanish. House of Bretagne (Dom Bretanii) has been open in Poznań for over ten years.

Cooperation between Wielkopolska and French Bretagne started in the late 1980s with two agreements: one of twin partnership between the cities of Rennes and Poznań and another of cooperation between the Department of Ille et Vilaine and the former Poznań Voivodship. The cooperation was initiated in 1989 by the Ille et Vilaine – Pologne Association, inspired by the General Council of Ille et Vilaine, the Ouest – France daily and the City of Rennes. The basic objective of the association is promoting and fostering cooperation between the two regions. In 1990 the Poznań – Ille et Vilaine Foundation was created. Its task is to support cultural, scientific and economic cooperation.

At the same time, House of Bretagne was opened in one of the townhouses in the oldest part of Poznań.
The House of Bretagne conducts a broad range of cultural activities, meant for adults and children alike. 
“Our objective is an all-embracing popularization of the culture of France, Bretagne and other Celtic countries,” says Mariola Musiał, the director of the centre.  In order to achieve that, House of Bretagne organizes lectures, concerts, exhibitions and talks. “Lectures on French art, prepared specifically for us by the Education Department of the National Museum, are especially popular,” Mrs. Musiał adds.
Many fans of French music are attracted by concerts. “So far, we have invited the best performers of Breton traditional music: Anne Auffret, Yann-Fanch Kemener, Patrik Ewen, Annie Ebrel, Jean Baron and Christian Anneix, Jean-Luc Thomas, Jean-Michel Veillon, David Hopkins, Didier Squiban and many others,” says the director. “Twice a year we also host dance parties, or traditional Breton Fest Noz. Usually, even a few hundreds of Breton dance apprentices take part in the event. Over the Internet they can also participate in Cyber Fest Noz, which is an on-line broadcast of a huge Breton dancing feast.”

House of Bretagne also coordinates the organization of the annual Days of French Culture. There have been 16 editions of the festival to date. It is an urban, interdisciplinary event, co-organized by several entities, such as Alliance Française, CK Zamek, the Music Schools Complex and The National Museum.
For the last 12 years, the House of Bretagne has organized Days of Bretagne in November.
It also works with French language teachers and European clubs operating in Poznań’s schools. Groups of students interested in France and Bretagne are frequent visitors to the House of Bretagne. They can also expand their knowledge using the well-equipped Library of French literature.
In House of Bretagne one can also learn romance languages: there are French, Spanish and Italian language courses available to anybody interested.
The centre’s “Open Doors” will take place on 29 September, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. It will be possible to consult House of Bretagne’s current offer and enroll in a language course.


Photos: Mouse of Bretagne (Dom Bretanii)