Imprisoned for his people
A tribute to Yann Fouere by Dafydd Wigley,
Hon. President of Plaid Cymru
My first real conversation with Yann Fouere, occurred in unusual circumstances – at La Santé Prison, Paris in November 1975. Together with Erwan Fouere, I presented to the French Justice Minister, a petition with 1,500 signatures, collected at an Alan Stivell concert in Brussels, demanding Yann’s release from prison.
I had met Yann previously in Wales at Plaid Cymru conferences; we were aware of his work in the 1930s in getting the Breton language established in schools, and as Vice-President of the Union Regionalist Bretonne.
I met him again in Brussels, launching the “Bureau permanent des nations europeennes sans Etat”– which I enthusiastically welcomed. I had met Erwan occasionally in Brussels, where he worked closely with Welsh colleagues. We all aspired to a united Europe of small nations and historic regions, rather than a centralised monolithic super-state.
Yann had been imprisoned on unfounded allegations of association with the FLB. The story is told in his book “En prison pour le FLB”. I was amazed that I could plead directly on his behalf.
I was delighted to help Yann. He was highly regarded in Wales. Plaid Cymru leader, Gwynfor Evans spoke glowingly of Yann’s work for the Breton nation. They had worked together in the 1930’s and were close friends from 1946, when Yann sought refuge in Wales and lived briefly with Gwynfor.
As a pacifist by conviction. Gwynfor Evans was against war in all its forms. He felt revulsion towards Hitler’s fascists, and the militarism of British imperial policy.
Gwynfor Evans intervened in 1948 to persuade the British Government not to deport Yann to France – after his disguise as Dr. Moger, had been uncovered. Instead, he was deported from Wales to Ireland – a key decision in his life.
As Ireland was neutral in the War, many Breton patriots found refuge there when they faced threats from the German occupying forces, the Vichy government or the French Resistance, who thought that promoting Breton culture made them potential allies of the Nazis.
Yann Fouere appreciated the help that Bretons were given in Wales. A Welsh–Breton Committee was established by the Celtic Congress and Plaid Cymru. During this time Yann wrote a substantial booklet “Breton Nationalism”, published by Plaid Cymru in 1947. I still have my copy.
Circumstances in Wales were – and are – very different to those in Brittany. The attitude of “benign indifference” of the British state towards its Celtic fringe has been much more tolerant than that of the centralist French state.
After settling down with his family in Ireland Yann Fouere maintained close links with Wales. He came to cultural gatherings and Plaid conferences. Gwynfor Evans ensured that he was treated as a very special visitor. In 1961 Yann Fouere and Gwynfor Evans, helped establish the Celtic League, whose objectives were political (whereas the Celtic Congress was cultural), advocating home rule and autonomy for the Celtic countries.
Progress towards greater independence has clearly been greater in Wales and Scotland during the past 30 years, than in Brittany. The policy of the British state is to yield just enough to ensure its own survival.
When I visited Yann in prison he was very jolly, delighted to see me, and hoping that both his imprisonment and my visit, would highlight the Breton cause. He clearly had nothing whatsoever to do with armed insurrection! He was a kindly “warrior for peace” working for the cultural self-fulfilment of Brittany. I emphasised this to the Minister of Justice, mentioning the high regard in which he was held in Wales. I made the point that his Welsh friends were pacifists. It would be quite out of character to be plotting military action.
With his background in Brittany, Yann understood the tension that existed for a time within the national movement in Wales, between those wanting “direct action” to safeguard Welsh interests and those committed to follow constitutional methods. Yann wrote: “It is not possible, within the same political organisation …..to fluctuate from one to the other, according to events and the necessity of time. The relative (electoral) success achieved by Plaid Cymru was only made possible by the extraordinary continuity in the application of this legalist policy for over 30 years. “
On the 16th September, 2011, I welcomed Rozenn and Erwan to the National Library of Wales (of which I am President) to launch Yann Fouere’s book “La Maison in Connemara” in English. The first chapter of the book is dedicated to “The Welsh Nationalists”, acknowledging the help so many Breton patriots were given as they fled from persecution in Brittany.
Our National Library is the home to many Breton archives, receiving papers from people living in Brittany, Ireland or elsewhere. The Library’s Charter explicitly includes a service to the wider Celtic community. The absence of a Breton National Library led to establishing Fondation Yann Fouere to safeguard archives, books and documents relating to Breton history and European minorities.
Yann wasn’t well enough to travel to Wales, but I understand that this event brought back to him fond memories. I was particularly pleased that Yann was fully aware of the warm regard in which he is held in Wales.
It was a fitting tribute to his life that this important book was republished, that its launch was in Wales, and that Yann lived to see the day.
The name of Yann Fouere will live on as an iconic Breton patriot. His commitment to the Breton language and culture will be an inspiration for future generations. The regard for him and his family, in Wales, will not diminish. A tribute was broadcast on Welsh radio by his friend Havard Gregory, who described him as a modest and moderate patriot.
We can best salute his life and work, by continuing to strive for the Europe of a hundred flags in which our Celtic nations find their rightful place; where their languages and cultures are allowed to flourish.
Dafydd Wigley