Colors of Brest - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Arriving in Brest, you may be surprised by the fact that locals speak not French but Celtic Breton language, which means that it has more similarities with Welsh, Scottish, and Irish. However, it is not very common (just like above-mentioned languages). In general, the mentality of the residents of Brest is more similar to the one typical for representatives of the Gaelic tribes. You can clearly notice this just after arrival in the city. At the same time, some traits of the local residents are borrowed from the French. This is about some emotionality of the locals, but it does not reach the ultimate state. They also share dislike for international English with the French, although most people are pretty good at it.

At the mention of the city of Brest, the mind immediately draws a picture of the sea coast and cannons. The city has always been a defender of France on the west coast, it was badly damaged during the Second World War, although nothing reminds us of these terrible events today - the city has been reborn from the ashes like Phoenix. And this helped the local residents to learn something important - they are strong in spirit, independent, and never give up. They are real fighters ready to fight for everything they hold dear. And "family", "honor", and "homeland" are not just words for them.

The locals are hospitable, they cannot be reproached for unwillingness to help anyone. They are always ready to help, no matter what color of skin or religion you have. However, be prepared for the fact that they speak straight about all the shortcomings - here it is not customary to deceive each other for getting any preferences. Sincerity and straightforwardness are something that travelers find attractive about the residents of Brest. Another quality of the local people is the love of freedom, and that's why they try to keep distance when communicating. However, this does not take long (of course, if they like you). Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The local cuisine offers a lot of seafood and fish, which is no wonder, given the geographical location of Brest. This cuisine is always hearty and, in addition to seafood, the main ingredients also include salted butter and buckwheat. Traditional dishes that are worth trying first are Kouign-amann (Breton cake), Far (plum pie), Hardtack (biscuits made from buckwheat flour), Crepe Flambee (pancakes with rum), and Kig ha farz (various meats with a buckwheat flour). It should be taken into account that food is never dietary at local dinner parties - light meals are not common here. And, of course, wine or apple cider are perfect for washing down the food.

Festivals taking place in Brest attract the attention of many tourists, which is no wonder, given that locals know how to have fun like nobody else. In mid-July, Les tonnerres de Brest is held in the port. Many people come here for the sole sake of this regatta - the spectacle is truly impressive even for those who can not boast of having a sophisticated taste. Just imagine: More than 1,600 sailboats from all over the world take part in the festival accompanied by orchestras and music groups. The festival is held every four years, so before visiting the city, be sure to check whether it is planned for this time. This is the largest and most spectacular event of its kind in the whole of France.

The middle of October is marked by Atlantique Jazz Festival taking place at Le Quartz Theater. The music festival is attended by many eminent jazz musicians and bluesmen from all over the world, and thanks to such a rich cultural program, the musical event is considered one of the most popular in the whole of Europe, therefore many tourists are eager to visit it. Besides spectacular music shows, all kinds of conferences, exhibitions, master-classes, movies devoted to jazz are prepared for the demanding audience.

In May, Port de Commerce becomes a venue for Les Jeudis du Port. During this festival, visitors can listen to quality music and admire the street art. It is positioned as a family event where a friendly atmosphere always reigns, and this is evidenced by the fact that it is absolutely free of charge. However, despite this, musical bands play their hearts out, even better than at a commercial concert, since this is the festival for the soul. The festival has already gained popularity and is a great destination for many tourists.

In early August, fans of quality music gather at Parc Naturel Régional d'Armorique located near Brest for the sole sake of visiting Festival du Bout du Monde. People can listen to different music genres here, so everyone will have a chance to find music to his/her liking. The event is in the open air, and therefore campers gather here to spend time together. The event attracts many tourists, because it is positioned as a family and friendly festival where musicians have a kind of dialog with the audience. And they are really good at this!

In early November, all the media attention is focused on Brest European Short Film Festival. This event, as you can guess from the name, is dedicated to short films, and is the second most important event of its kind in France. Both professionals and novice filmmakers gather here, and this is a great event to establish contacts or learn more about the creative process of filmmaking. Within the framework of the festival there are three competitions (European, French and so-called UFO-OVNI), which determine the best short film. Films presented here are of various genres and intended for a wide range of age groups.