Nolwenn Leroy sings Breton anthem at the Stade de France

A major football match in France takes place today, with the Coupe de France final between Guingamp and Stade Rennais.

I'm not usually interested in football, but an all-Breton final of a national game is certainly something that I like, but the main reason that it gets my attention is that Nolwenn Leroy is to perform the Breton national anthem at the Stade de France before the game.

Of course, there will also be a rendition of the Marseillaise, but the Breton singer will take to the stage before kick off to sing Bro gozh ma zadoù.

The song featured on her 2010 Bretonne album, a number one seller in France which no doubt did much to raise the profile of Breton music.



Nolwen Leroy was initially best known as the winner of the second series of Star Academ in France, releasing her debut album in 2003 following her victory. She's since gone on to be one of France's most high profile female singers, Bretonne securing her status and her subsequent Ô Filles de l'Eau in 2012 building on its predecessor's success.

It's not the first time this kind of situation has arisen, with Alan Stivell performing the song before the involving the same two clubs at the Stade de France in 2009.



The two singers, probably the two best known Breton musicians,  have performed the song together. While Stivell has had a long career as a pioneer of Breton music, there's little denying that Leroy has done much to bring it to a new generation.



Whatever the score at the end of 90 minutes, it will be a memorable day for Brittany.

UPDATE:

Here's some video of the performance at the Stade de France:


Bro gozh ma zadou by OuestFranceFR