World War I marked the arrival of another new era for Breton literature, not least because of the significant number of Breton speakers killed during the war. Writers shifted away from old Breton models and showed a new openness to the influence of other literatures. This movement began in the mid-1920s with the creation of the periodical Gwalarn (“Northwest”). Most of the authors associated with it were well-read in several languages and looked for models in contemporary European literatures. They produced poems, short stories, novels, and plays; they also translated literary works into Breton. Roparz Hemon, Jakez Riou, Youenn Drezen, and Abeozen (pseudonym of Fañch Elies)—the founders of Gwalarn—were among the most successful and prolific authors of the period. From Hemon’s Pirc’hirin ar mor (1943; “A Pilgrim to the Sea”) may be dated the awakening of a new poetry. Maodez Glanndour left his mark on Breton poetry with Imram (1941) and Milc’hwid ar serr-noz (1946; “The Twilight Thrush”).

After World War II

Publishing in Breton experienced some difficulties in the years following World War II. The first to give life again to literary expression were Ronan Huon, Per Denez, and Per Diolier (pseudonym of Per Le Bihan), who established their reputations as, variously, poets, short-story writers, novelists, and essayists. They also founded the periodical Al Liamm (“The Bond”). Brud (“Vogue”; later renamed Brud Nevez [“New Vogue”]) was a subsequent journal. Memoirs became popular, including those of Yeun ar Gow (E skeud tour bras sant Jermen [1955; “In the Shade of the High Steeple of Saint German”]), Jarl Priel (Va zammig buhez [1954; “My Own Small Life”]). Taldir-Jaffrennou also wrote a memoir in which he recounted his activities in the Breton movement. Oral life stories were published frequently during the second half of the 20th century.

A growing number of writers expanded the scope of Breton literature as the 20th century progressed. Yann Gerven wrote humorous stories, and Youenn Gwernig published poems that he performed with guitar accompaniment. Using his own acting company, Strollad ar Vro-bagan, Goulc’han Kervella staged his own and others’ plays. Several other Breton-language acting companies came into existence in the last decades of the 20th century. Books for children were also plentiful, and translation was in good health. Mikael Madeg wrote works in a number of genres. Anjela Duval was a prominent poet, while Per-Jakez Helias, a poet and playwright, became best known for a memoir translated into English as The Horse of Pride (1978).

By the close of the 20th century, Breton literature had become largely urban in theme and language. Much activity was devoted to creating a vocabulary adapted to modern life, and many of the writers concerned with doing so gathered around the periodical Preder. A state-sponsored body, Ofis ar Brezhoneg (“Office of the Breton Language”), was founded in 1999 to maintain order as the language expanded. Breton literature showed itself on an upward trend as it entered the 21st century.