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Loire-Atlantique (Department, France): Cultural flags

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Bagad Naoned (Nantes)

by Raphaël Vinet

The bagad of Nantes (Bagad Naoned) was created in 1968. It uses a flag based on the historical flag of the duchy of Brittany (black cross on white). The canton includes the main element of the coat of arms of Nantes, i.e. a sail boat with sails ermine sailing over green water (the river Loire) on a red background. The three other quarters are charged with five black ermine spots which recalls the ancient naval flags in Nantes and the five 'Breton' departments. This last item is revendicative, since the current Region of Brittany includes only four departments (Finistère, Côtes-d'Armor, Ille-et-Vilaine, Morbihan), whereas Loire-Atlantique, including Nantes, the historical capital city of Brittany, was placed into the Region Pays de Loire. The 'reunification' of Brittany is a popular revendication of the Breton cultural associations.

The flag of Bagad Naoned was designed by Raphaël Vinet.

Source: Bagad Naoned website

Ivan Sache, 10 November 2002