Abeozen

Abeozen (François Eliès)
Born Fañch Eliès
1896
Saint-Sauveur, Finistère
Died 1963
La Baule
Pen name Abeozen
Occupation Novelist, poet and Breton nationalist
Nationality French
Ethnicity Breton

François Eliès, born Fañch Eliès[1] and better known by the pseudonym Abeozen,[1] (1896 Saint-Sauveur, Finistère - 1963 La Baule) was a Breton nationalist, novelist and dramatist who wrote in the Breton language. Abeozen was also a noted scholar of the Welsh language.[1][2][3]

Abeozen started contributing to the Breton literary journal Gwalarn in 1925. He worked as a teacher in Saint-Brieuc from 1927 to 1940 and founded the local branch of the communist Secours Rouge organization. During the German occupation of France, he joined Roparz Hemon at the newly founded Radio Rennes Bretagne and wrote for La Bretagne, L'Heure Bretonne and Arvor. He was also a member of Seiz Breur and the Institut celtique de Bretagne.

As France was liberated Abeozen, like many Breton nationalists, was arrested for collaborating with the German occupants and spent fourteen months in prison. (See also Breton nationalism and World War II for the political background.) He was further fired from the Éducation nationale and forbidden to stay in Brittany.

Bibliography

Partial bibliography[4]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d Garzanti p. 1
  2. ^ Les noms qui ont fait l'histoire de Bretagne : au moins six rues en Bretagne portent son nom (1997).
  3. ^ Fañch Elies dit Abeozen, Gwendal Denez, PhD thesis published by An Here
  4. ^ Works by or about Abeozen in libraries (WorldCat catalog)

References

  • Garzanti, Aldo (1974) [1972] (in Italian). Enciclopedia Garzanti della letteratura. Milan: Garzanti. pp. 1.