How did Gwalarn writers use other European literatures as models?

The Gwalarn movement, which began in the mid-1920s, marked a significant shift in Breton literature. Following the devastation of World War I, writers associated with the Gwalarn periodical moved away from traditional Breton models and sought inspiration in contemporary European literatures.1

These authors were typically well-read in multiple languages and actively looked to broader European traditions to modernize their own work. To achieve this, they produced a variety of literary forms—including poems, short stories, novels, and plays—and engaged in the translation of foreign literary works into the Breton language. This shift toward international models was a deliberate effort to move beyond older, localized styles and integrate Breton writing into the broader context of contemporary European literary culture.1