The early Celtic harp came down to us through the beautiful instruments from the Middle Ages
preserved in Trinity College, Dublin and the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, and
carved in Brittany’s churches stone like the Quimper cathedral harp.

The harp (telenn in Breton, clairseach in Gaelic) has always been protected by Celtic society for
its harmonizing and unifying properties. It was held in high esteem and was found at kings’ and
chieftains’ courts, in the houses of bards and druids, at the heart of Celtic civilization.

Its distinctive features are balanced proportions, a one piece sound-box and bronze strings
played with the fingernails producing a crystalline and deep sound with a long resonance.

The instrument gave birth to a learned music system, unique in the West, and a wide repertoire
of musical pieces for all occasions of life.

After two hundred years of silence, it has now been rediscovered.

The Hent Telenn Breizh association’s purpose is the rediscovery of the historical harp of
Brittany, and the promotion and passing on of this beautiful universal heritage.