The President of a Breton language organisation visited Cornwall's only bilingual preschool crèche this weekend, as part of the first leg of a bicycle tour of European linguistic minorities.

President Emmanuael LeMerlus, of 'Unis dans la Diversité Linguistique', is cycling 19,000 miles around 60 linguistic minorities to raise awareness of the Breton language around Europe. As part of his tour Mr LeMerlus visited Skol Veythrin Karenza in Pool, Redruth and spent time learning Cornish with parents and teaching the children a little Breton. Mr LeMerlus also read a story to the children in Cornish about a little boy who wanted to ride a two wheeled bicycle on his own – a story that had originally been translated from the Breton language.

Skol Veythrin coordinator and parent, Emilie Champliaud, said that the children and parents were thrilled by the visit:

"We want our children to be respectful of different cultures and languages, as well as taking a full and equal part in their own culture and language. Traditionally Cornwall has a long history of cultural and linguistic links with Brittany, which we would love to see developed and strengthened. Mr LeMerlus has offered to put us in touch with a similar Breton language preschool movement to ours in Brittany that was set up recently. Hopefully we will be able to learn

from each other and develop our cultural ties further."

Cornwall is the first of the Celtic countries Mr LeMerlus will visit on his tour, which he aims to conclude in spring next year. On Monday (17th May), Mr LeMerlus will leave Cornwall and head for Wales where he plans to visit a Welsh language institute in Cardiff and various other Welsh language educational settings in Aberystwyth, before moving on to the Isle of Man, Ireland and Scotland. The General Secretary of the League, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, will be assisting Mr LeMerlus make contact with the different European language groups during his tour.

This article prepared for Celtic News by Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary Celtic League. For follow-up comment or clarification contact:

Tel: 0044 (0)1209315884

M: 0044(0)7787318666

rhisiart.talebot [at] gmail.com

gensec [at] celticleague.net

J B Moffatt (Mr)

Director of Information

Celtic League

18/05/10

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