The Divine Comedy in Breton version

Dante's Divine Comedy, translated into Breton by the Breton priest Pêr Bourdellez, is much more than a simple translation. Of the 15,000 verses that make up this masterpiece of the late Middle Ages, about 5,000 were written in Breton, with the aim of preserving the spirit of the language through the unfolding of an epic journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise.

This text is much better than the French translations, which are often emphatic and tedious, with their difficult words and expressions that are foreign to us. Here we have a brilliant and accessible adaptation of a foundational work of Italian literature from 800 years ago, overflowing with imagination and animated by a deep and living faith.

This Breton text contains no new words. Unlike the French editions, no attempt has been made to translate the words of Greek origin, such as "Empyrean": the term "The Throne" has been chosen.

It seems to us that Breton is spiritually very close to the theme of the Voyage (also see the Voyage of Saint Brendan and the founding of Little Britain by our ancestors fifteen centuries ago); is there another people in the world closer to the spirit of our ancient hymns, still known until recently and influenced, of course, by Dante? Mention is made, for example, of "cold Hell," of countless angels flying like bees, of details similar to "Saint Patrick's Purgatory," compiled in 4,000 verses by Louis Eunius at the end of the 18th century in Breton, or even of "The Girl Who Married Satan" in the "Barzhaz Breizh"...

It is also clear that this kind of literature suits us perfectly, as evidenced by the "Gwerzioù," narratives in Breton for at least four centuries: dramatic tales that were told by the fireside during the year-end festivities. To sing them, however, one had to know how to rhyme and find the right words with equal-length rhymes. Pêr Bourdellez preferred to work on finding a harmonious rhythm for the verses, and he succeeded, or so we believe.

Pre-order this 200-page book illustrated in color by sending a check for 20 euros (Imbourc'h c/ Emglev an Tiegezhioù, Kergreven 24, 29800 Trelevenez), or by credit card via helloasso