It being Xmas and all that goes with it, I have not had time to think about blog posts. So I will just serve up this interesting item sent around by alunindyfed dated at Friday, 4 December 2009 . I generally agree with Alun's sentiments but cannot fail to remark is it not about time Celts went beyond all this 'Celtic Culturalism' and sought a political position that will serve some real political purpose as for example offering up a Political Socio - Econmic alternative to the European Union Empire. Is it not time to reconsider and revive the ideas behind the Celtic Arc/Bow, to this end I suggest the establishment of a new radical Celtic Movement PAN CELTIC UNION, a movement that will set out to seek a west Atlantic Seaboard Celtic Countries Confederation. Surely the Celts deserve more than just Music Festivals and the Celtic League which sad to say surely seems to have reached it's 'use by date'. I often ask myself the question what point is there in the Celtic League? as all it appears to do is meander about without any great advance on any great poltical ''Celtic Thinking'' since the 'Sixties' when this body did have some political clout and impact on Young Nationalists in Wales.
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"One and All - Onen hag Oll" is the Cornish motto. The Cornish, like their fellow Celts in Wales and Brittany, were an egalitarian society, unlike the hierarchical English who confined them to their western peninsular. They had a strong sense of solidarity and mutual reliance and co-operation. They rebelled against perceived injustices and when they found the pressures too great to bear they hoisted their sails and made for France. Thus Brittany became little Britain and the customs and language continued to thrive and flourish, the difference being that they forgot their English and were obliged to learn French and eat crepes. Later, many returned to Britain with Duke William of Normandy and took up residence in Britain once more after wreaking their revenge on the Mercians and Saxons who themselves were obliged to learn French and defer to their lords and masters."United we stand, divided we fall" - this phrase sums up the attitude of the Celtic peoples and should remain so in this present age. The Welsh, Cornish and Bretons were one people, along with Cumbrians and people of Strathclyde. They shared the same language, culture and tradition, the same Celtic heritage, and were only later separated, despite fierce resistance by such legendary generals as Arthur ("yr arth"-the bear), son of Uther Pendragon, then confined to their western retreats. Over time the Brythonic language diverged into Welsh, Cornish and Breton but was instantly recognisable as having the same origin, the differences being mainly superficial, with spelling changes - ty/chy for example (house), and cwrw/coroff (beer). Music festivals held in Celtic lands - Cwlwm Celtaidd in Porthcawl, Wales, Lowendar in Perranporth, Cornwall and Lorient (An Oriant) in Brittany have brought people together to experience the unique and haunting sounds of Celtic musical tradition, encompassing al the Celtic nations. Similarly in Ireland, Isle of Man and the Hebrides festivals are held annually, bringing together people from far and wide. Talented performers such as Alan Stivell, Dafydd Iwan and Irish dancing groups, notably Riverdance, helped to revive the ancient musical tradition, where the instruments, bagpipes, bodran, harp, whistle and fiddle combined to produce an unmistakable and unforgettable experience. The north-western seaboard of Spain and Portugal share in this musical tradition, still popular in Asturias and Galicia, though the Celtic language has long disappeared.The spirit of "all for one and one for all" - the essence of Celtic custom, the understanding that "united we stand, divided we fall" served these peoples well in the past, keeping their culture and to an extent their language, alive, during many dark days of persecution by more dominant neighbours. It is a spirit which should permeate the consciousness of all who aspire to the creation of a better, more just and equitable, society throughout these islands. Now is not the time to set sail for France or journey to the Americas, but to metaphorically fight on the beaches, not only with music but with words and cogent arguments to return to the promised land, with a renewed sense of hope and expectancy. It is not the politicians only, the rabid unionists elected to parliament in Westminster, who need to be convinced but the peoples of these nations who as yet are unable to grasp the vision which independence offers and mistakenly believe that British nationalism can answer their demands. Not with swords, as in past ages, but with pens and ploughshares will we build the future and restore the values of a fair, just and equitable society in the nations of the Celtic West.
"One and All - Onen hag Oll" is the Cornish motto. The Cornish, like their fellow Celts in Wales and Brittany, were an egalitarian society, unlike the hierarchical English who confined them to their western peninsular. They had a strong sense of solidarity and mutual reliance and co-operation. They rebelled against perceived injustices and when they found the pressures too great to bear they hoisted their sails and made for France. Thus Brittany became little Britain and the customs and language continued to thrive and flourish, the difference being that they forgot their English and were obliged to learn French and eat crepes. Later, many returned to Britain with Duke William of Normandy and took up residence in Britain once more after wreaking their revenge on the Mercians and Saxons who themselves were obliged to learn French and defer to their lords and masters."United we stand, divided we fall" - this phrase sums up the attitude of the Celtic peoples and should remain so in this present age. The Welsh, Cornish and Bretons were one people, along with Cumbrians and people of Strathclyde. They shared the same language, culture and tradition, the same Celtic heritage, and were only later separated, despite fierce resistance by such legendary generals as Arthur ("yr arth"-the bear), son of Uther Pendragon, then confined to their western retreats. Over time the Brythonic language diverged into Welsh, Cornish and Breton but was instantly recognisable as having the same origin, the differences being mainly superficial, with spelling changes - ty/chy for example (house), and cwrw/coroff (beer). Music festivals held in Celtic lands - Cwlwm Celtaidd in Porthcawl, Wales, Lowendar in Perranporth, Cornwall and Lorient (An Oriant) in Brittany have brought people together to experience the unique and haunting sounds of Celtic musical tradition, encompassing al the Celtic nations. Similarly in Ireland, Isle of Man and the Hebrides festivals are held annually, bringing together people from far and wide. Talented performers such as Alan Stivell, Dafydd Iwan and Irish dancing groups, notably Riverdance, helped to revive the ancient musical tradition, where the instruments, bagpipes, bodran, harp, whistle and fiddle combined to produce an unmistakable and unforgettable experience. The north-western seaboard of Spain and Portugal share in this musical tradition, still popular in Asturias and Galicia, though the Celtic language has long disappeared.The spirit of "all for one and one for all" - the essence of Celtic custom, the understanding that "united we stand, divided we fall" served these peoples well in the past, keeping their culture and to an extent their language, alive, during many dark days of persecution by more dominant neighbours. It is a spirit which should permeate the consciousness of all who aspire to the creation of a better, more just and equitable, society throughout these islands. Now is not the time to set sail for France or journey to the Americas, but to metaphorically fight on the beaches, not only with music but with words and cogent arguments to return to the promised land, with a renewed sense of hope and expectancy. It is not the politicians only, the rabid unionists elected to parliament in Westminster, who need to be convinced but the peoples of these nations who as yet are unable to grasp the vision which independence offers and mistakenly believe that British nationalism can answer their demands. Not with swords, as in past ages, but with pens and ploughshares will we build the future and restore the values of a fair, just and equitable society in the nations of the Celtic West.
