The Breton representatives at this year’s Australian Celtic Festival in Glen Innes, New South Wales earlier this month. The festival celebrated the year of Picture: facebook.com/australianstandingstones

Gouel Sant Erwan Laouen! From Glen Innes to the coast of Brittany, Bretons and their friends around the world are preparing to mark St Yves’ Day on 19 May, honouring the beloved patron saint of Brittany.

DATES & DEETS

In Australia, the main event for 2025 will take place in Glen Innes, New South Wales, home of the Australian Standing Stones. The local Standing Stones Management Board will once again hold a flag lowering ceremony, paying tribute to Saint Yves with a talk, a toast, and a taste of traditional Breton food. The event is free and open to all who wish to celebrate Brittany’s Celtic heritage. 

They shared on their Facebook page: “We’ve just been celebrating Brittany at the 2025 Australian Celtic Festival, and on Monday 19th May is the national day of Brittany! Join us at 4pm to honour the Celtic Nation Brittany – on Gouel Sant Erwan – St Yves’ Day!

“We’ll enjoy some traditional baked goods, raise a toast – and lower the ‘White and Black’ – ‘Gwenn ha Du’ – the Breton national flag as an end of day honour to Breizh.

“Breizh is the only Celtic-language speaking nation on continental Europe. Here’s a good Brezhoneg word to know: ‘Cheers!’ in Breton is ‘Yec’hed mat!’

“We’ll have a fundraising raffle too! So whether you’re local or visiting Glen Innes we hope to see you there!

“Crofters Cottage will be open all day, so come up and enjoy even if it looks rainy. There’ll be fresh coffee and warming homemade treats available to enjoy by the fireplace! Enjoy exploring the #AustralianStandingStones and join us – have a question? Ask us!”

The Australian Standing Stones are the national monument to commemorate the contributions made by people of the Celtic nations to Australia. We mark each of the six Celtic language speaking nations on their national days.

We look forward to greeting you at the #AustralianStandingStones in beautiful #GlenInnesHighlands

Across the seas in Brittany, the annual Fête de la Bretagne returns in full swing from 16 to 25 May 2025. Founded in 2009 to bring together all the richness and variety of Breton culture, the festival features more than 200 events spread across towns and cities in Brittany and beyond. Locals and visitors can expect fest-noz dances, traditional music, street performances, storytelling, food markets, and community gatherings celebrating everything from sea shanties to Breton bagpipes. For the full Brittany program, visit: www.fetedelabretagne.bzh.

Australia’s only monthly French market, in Sydney, Le Marché is held on the first Sunday of every month at The Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park from 9am to 2pm; second Sunday at Woolwich dock from 9am to1pm; and fourth Sunday at Laurelbank Willoughby from 9am to 1:30pm. For more information, go to facebook.com/lemarchesydneyfrenchmarket. 

BZH Sydney promotes the culture, economy and tourism of Brittany in Sydney. They hold regular events and Breton dance classes. They held dance classes at the Australian Celtic Festival in Glen Innes on May 3 and 4. For more information, go to their Facebook page at facebook.com/bzhsydney.