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The “Bagad Saint-Mandrier” for the first time in Hong Kong

On the occasion of the French National Day, one of the two French Navy pipes and drums bands, the “Bagad Saint-Mandrier”, has been invited by the Consulate General of France to come to Hong Kong and Macau, from the 12th of July to the 15th of July 2007.

The “Bagad Saint Mandrier”, the official band of the French Navy based in the Mediterranean, is a traditionnal Breton band with bagpipes, bombardes and percussions. They came in Hong Kong for the first time, to celebrate the French National Day.
As the “Bagad Saint Mandrier” is a link between Brittany and Provence, between Mediterranean and Atlantic, it embodies perfectly well the theme of “France and Sea” chosen this year to celebrate France in Hong Kong, another place famous for its deep links with the sea.

“Bagad“ : in Breton, a Celtic language spoken in Britany, “bagad“ means “group”. It is an abbreviation for “Bagad ar sonerion” or “Group of musicians”. There are dozens of “bagads” in Britany and in France and the best ones take part to the annual “Fêtes Celtiques” (Celtic Festivals), organized each year in Britany in the cities of Lorient and Quimper.

The musicians of a “bagad” play three instruments :
the “biniou” or “cornemuse” : it’s a version of the bagpipe, slightly smaller.
the “bombarde” : this typical wind instrument of Britany is a kind of small and short oboe.
the drums : they are similar to the Scottish bands drums.

A “bagad” is a marching band, like the traditional pipe and drums bands. In fact the “bagads” were inspired by the Scottish pipes and drums marching bands. Therefore, it can be said that the “Hong Kong Police Band” and the “Bagad Saint Mandrier” share a common Scottish origin. They demonstrated it on a free concert along the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui on Friday, 13th of July.

But a “bagad” can also play for the musical animation of a “Fest noz” in Breton, “Fête de la nuit” in French or “night festival”, where people come to dance traditional Celtic and Breton dances, accompanied by musical pieces of the repertoire, dedicated to the dancing performances. In Britany, each week end, “fest noz” are very popular and are organized in many cities and villages. Thanks to the presence of the “bagad” in Hong Kong, a “fest noz” has been organized at "Le Rideau" (a French restaurant) on Friday (13th of July). This event, friendly and animated, was a “premiere” in Hong Kong !

On the French National Day, the bagad gave another free concert in front of the Maritime Museum, performing with the Customs and Excise Band. In spite of the heat, a lot of people came to enjoy this concert which reflected the musical link between France and Hong Kong.