As Wales play Georgia in their final Rugby World Cup group game at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, many French fans may join in singing the Welsh national anthem due to its uncanny similarity with the Breton anthem. The Breton anthem borrows the tune from Wales’ anthem and its lyrics have a similar meaning. Nigel Dumont-Jones, who has been involved in a Cardiff-Nantes cultural exchange since 2016, said that Nantes and Wales are linked historically which is why the people of Nantes are very much clued into their history and how it links to that of Welsh history.
Nantes is the historical capital of Brittany, where about 220,000 people speak Breton, which is the surviving Celtic language most closely related to Welsh. Welsh musicians Adwaith and Sage Todz performed at a cultural exchange and will also line-up at a gig in Nantes showcasing Welsh and French music talents. First Minister Mark Drakeford mentioned that Wales’ centuries-old link to Breton must “go on thriving into the future.”
Jacques-Yvez Le Touze, who heads a committee promoting the Breton anthem, commented that a decline in the number of Breton language speakers since World War Two meant the anthem is “known by only part of the population.” Over the past 15 years, Bro Gozh has been increasingly performed in football and rugby stadiums, in cultural and political events, in festivals, and during family events. He added that “Bretons have shown for 60 years that they have the desire to do what is necessary to keep their language, their culture, and their country alive, and relations with Wales are one of the things that comfort us in this daily fight.”
Despite the similarities between the Welsh and Breton anthems, among the pupils in Nantes, very few knew that the national anthem of Brittany was the same as the Welsh. Nonetheless, Welsh fans will undoubtedly receive a warm welcome in Nantes, and everyone enjoyed having the Irish there two weeks ago, and it will be the same this time. According to city councillor Yves Pascouau, Nantes is thrilled to host the most special game when Wales face Georgia
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