History

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has a vast archive with a range of resources collected from festivals over the years since 1947. These resources are in the process of being digitised to ensure they can be available for future generations to enjoy. A handpicked selection are now available online. Visit the archive website at www.limearchive.org.uk and discover the history of the Eisteddfod, its triumphs, tribulations and secrets.

The Eisteddfod Story

The 1947 International Eisteddfod was an unqualified success: groups from 7 foreign countries braved the journey to Llangollen, joining choirs from England, Scotland and Wales: in total 33 choirs performed (27 Adult and 6 Children). It was all great fun. Plaudits rang down on the organisers, the founders, and the competitors.

The next few years saw many more countries participating: by 1953, when Queen Elizabeth II visited the Eisteddfod as part of her post-coronation tour of Wales, singers and dancers of 30 nationalities had competed in Llangollen. A truly international festival had been created, organised and run by volunteers.

Llangollen’s place in world music is now immutable. More than 400,000 competitors from over 140 nationalities and cultures have performed enthusiastically on the Llangollen stage.

In 1955 a young Luciano Pavarotti sang in the choir from his home town of Modena, conducted by his father. The choir won first prize in the Male voice choir competition. Pavarotti returned for a spectacular concert in 1995.

It began with a vision that the ancient Welsh eisteddfod tradition could provide a means of healing the wounds of the Second World War, and help to promote lasting peace.

The Snowflakes were just one of several Welsh choirs at the first Llangollen Eisteddfod and others included Penarth Ladies Choral Society and the Mid Rhondda Ladies Musical Society who competed against choirs from across the UK, Portugal, Italy, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and Hungary

Margot Fonteyn, Alicia Markova, Joan Sutherland, Angela Georghiu, Kiri Te Kanawa, Jehudi Menuhin, José Carreras, Lesley Garrett, Bryn Terfel, Katherine Jenkins, Dennis O’Neil, James Galway, Nigel Kennedy, Elaine Paige, Michael Ball, and Montserrat Caballé are among the musical stars that have appeared in our concerts.

Placido Domingo confesses that his first professional engagement in the United Kingdom was at the 1968 International Eisteddfod.