Ukraine and Brittany cultures highlighted on Market Square

An international exhibition of culture took place in Mullingar on Wednesday afternoon, when the Market Square was the setting for a lively showcase of traditional music and dance from Ukraine and Brittany, as part of the fleadh celebrations.

The group from Ukraine performed patriotic songs and their national dance in a presentation choreographed by Tyra Ojimadu, which featured children of all ages, who all got a chance to shine.

Obi Ojimadu told the Westmeath Examiner: “The young boys danced what we call the Gopak, which is a dance for the boys and the men, usually performed by ‘The three Cossacks’. The children also sang patriotic songs because the war is going on right now.”

The Ukrainians who performed are all living in Mullingar. “Most of us are staying at the Newbury Hotel… and some other people are also staying at the Annebrook, in B&Bs, and with host families also within the town,” said Obi, who was enjoying his second fleadh.

The Bretagne dancers are from a town in Brittany that is twinned with Ballymahon . They demonstrated a few steps before inviting spectators to join in, and were led by Evelyne Rano from Brittany, who also sang.

Although Evelyne has been travelling to Ireland for 30 years, this was her first time to visit since the pandemic. She told the Westmeath Examiner: “We enjoy the fleadh… We love Irish music; our country is very similar.”

Evelyne explained that Bretagne dancing emerged because “poor people” couldn’t afford musical instruments. “So they sing and they dance; nobody could stop them,” she said.

Bretagne dancers link their little fingers with one another when they dance. “Lots of dances in Brittany are like this,” said Evelyne. There is no significance to this, “it’s just to be together,” according to Evelyne.

“All our dances are in round circles,” added Evelyne, which she feels opens them up to as many people as possible.

While not everyone in Brittany dances every day, Evelyne’s family does.

Matt Nolan, who was one of the event organisers, said: “I’ve heard so much Irish music, it was a nice little break to get a bit of Bretagne and Ukrainian music, you know, and to see all the colour and the excitement they brought… And maybe in the years to come, we will be able to use other cultures to mix in with our own, to bring a bit of variety to it.”