Posts Categorized: Featured

Hello from the Executive Producer – We’re Back – 2022 Concerts Announced!

Dear Friends,

It’s an enormous pleasure to be writing my first newsletter to you all, with the wonderful news that we will return to live music-making in July 2022.

Since joining the Eisteddfod at the start of November the team and I have been working flat out to bring you all a celebration worthy of our 75 years existence. Although the festival will be slightly shorter, and will take place on the field and in the main Pavilion arena without the usual extension to ensure the safety of all our audiences while Covid restrictions are still in place, I hope you’ll agree that we have captured the best of all that Llangollen has to offer. (more…)

Appointment of new Executive Producer for Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is pleased to announce the appointment of Camilla King as our Executive Producer.

Camilla King joins Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod as Executive Producer from her role as Head of Programming at Cheltenham Music Festival. An experienced classical music programmer, project and events manager with a 20-year long career in the arts and charity sectors, Camilla studied Music at King’s College London before working as an artist manager for Ingpen & Williams. This was followed by a period in the casting department at English National Opera, running a choral education scheme for The Gabrieli Consort & Players, and a brief foray into fundraising with Freedom from Torture, an offshoot of Amnesty. (more…)

Dylan Thomas’s 1953 Llangollen Notebook

There are few stories from the 75 years of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod which excite supporters more than the visit of Dylan Thomas in July 1953. He described his visit a few weeks later in a 15 minute broadcast for the BBC Home Service, and generated verbal images of the early Eisteddfod whose power resonates to this day.

World-famous Llangollen Eisteddfod strikes new note for 2021

International music and dance festival returns with specially commissioned new online cultural programme plus transformation of bridge into giant artwork

Online programme – Friday 9 – Sunday 11 July

Bridge artwork – Friday 9 – Wednesday 4 August

Image captions:

 Patchwork panels of ‘Bridges, Not Walls’ Llangollen Bridge artwork by artist Luke Jerram; Catrin Finch, harpist and composer (credit Jennie Caldwell); Rapper Magugu, recording track for Curiad Calon / Heartbeat with Horizons; Recording track for Curiad Calon / Heartbeat with Horizons: L to R: Lily Beau, Rachel K Collier, Rhys Grail (camera), Magugu

The world-famous Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is returning this year with a diverse new cultural programme specially commissioned to celebrate the message of international peace and friendship on which it was founded over 70 years ago.

Held in Llangollen, a beautiful small town in north Wales every summer since 1947 – with the exception of 2020 when it was postponed due to the Covid pandemic – this year, the Eisteddfod will be largely held online, with the main programme presented free of charge over the weekend of the 9 – 11 July.

With funding support from Welsh Government, this year’s Eisteddfod will celebrate the broadest possible range of genres from classical, choral, hip hop, dance and world music, as well as Luke Jerram’s Llangollen bridge artwork, to connect with existing and new audiences in preparation for its physical return in 2022.

The 2021 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod programme comprises:

A brand-new art installation by the world-renowned artist Luke Jerram, who is covering the grade 1 listed Llangollen bridge with a patchwork of fabrics representing Wales and countries that usually attend the Eisteddfod. Known for public art installations around the world including Museum of the Moon, Play Me, I’m Yours street pianos and Glass Microbiology sculptures depicting the coronavirus and its vaccine, this is his first commission in Wales. The artwork will remain in place until 5 August.

 

  • Tangnefedd by Paul Mealor and Mererid Hopwood

World-premiere of a new choral piece by Paul Mealor, one of the world’s most performed living composers and Mererid Hopwood, renowned Welsh poet and the first woman to win the National Eisteddfod Chair. The performance will feature choirs from around the world that have successfully competed at the Eisteddfod, from the UK, US and Africa. In the Welsh language, Tangnefedd means the result of bringing together two elements in peace and harmony.

 

  • Curiad Calon/Heartbeat with Horizons (BBC/ACW), Rachel K Collier, Magugu and Lily Beau

A new dance track commissioned for Llangollen Eisteddfod by up-and-coming electronic producer and performer Rachel K Collier, Nigerian-born, avant-garde rapper Magugu and talented young Welsh singer-songwriter and actress Lily Beau. The track is designed to inspire the Eisteddfod international music and dance community and wider public to respond with their own moves on social media. It’s also a world first of combining the English, Welsh and Nigerian Pidgin Rap languages!

 

  • Catrin Finch and Guests

A new musical composition exploring the peace message with internationally renowned harpist and composer Catrin Finch, pioneering beatboxer and rapper Mr Phormula (Ed Holden), British Asian musician and tabla player Kuljit Bhamra, Eliza Marshall and Nick Ellis on Bansuri, Lee House, electronics and RAV drum and the refugee and asylum seeker Oasis One World Choir, from Cardiff.

 

  • Beth Yw Heddwch?/What is Peace? schools project

Project exploring children’s thoughts about peace through the written word, dance, movement and drama sessions involving 1,000 pupils from three schools from Rhyl, Llanberis and Llangollen. A creative video will be produced and an exhibition of postcards expressing children’s views about peace will be displayed throughout the town.

 

  • Peace Pavilion Programme

A thought-provoking programme of talks and activities with Academi Heddwch Cymru exploring peace and peacebuilding. The programme includes ‘The Peace Lecture’ given by Begoña Lasagabaster, UN Women Chief of Leadership and Governance Section; ‘The Art of Peacebuilding’; ‘Peace Poems’ and much more. For young people, this series includes virtual cultural exchange and the Young Peacemakers Awards ceremony. [https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/academi-heddwch-cymru-33667861775]

 

This year’s digital Llangollen Eisteddfod will feature videos of the world premiere performances, many filmed in the town itself. On Saturday night, there will be a performance of Tangnefedd by a mass choir, some appearing digitally from across the world and others on stage in the pavilion where the Eisteddfod is usually staged, just outside the town. People living locally, in Wales and around the world are invited to explore the programme, free of charge, at https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/.

Betsan Moses, interim chief executive of the Llangollen Eisteddfod for 2021 is leading the creation of a fresh, diverse, world-class cultural programme to connect with both new and existing audiences, after last year’s event was postponed.

She says: “The Llangollen Eisteddfod was founded on the idea of bringing peace and this year’s cultural programme expresses what it stands for; peace, creativity and togetherness. We’re looking forward to sharing a varied and inspiring programme of events online this year, with an array of world-class performers across musical and artistic genres and exciting new commissions to delight both existing and new audiences across the globe.

“The beautiful town of Llangollen, which normally sees up to 35,000 visitors during the Eisteddfod, will also play host to the visitors that come to see the transformation of Llangollen Bridge into a giant artwork by Luke Jerram, clothed in a patchwork of fabrics from around the world.”

A Stitch in Time! International artist Luke Jerram to transform historic bridge for Llangollen Eisteddfod

Llangollen Bridge to be transformed into giant artwork called ‘Bridges, Not Walls’

Friday 9 July – Thursday 5 August 2021

Image captions:

Row 1: Patchwork panels of ‘Bridges, Not Walls’ Llangollen Bridge artwork by artist Luke Jerram;

Row 2: Mock-up of ‘Bridges, Not Walls’; artist Luke Jerram stands in front of Llangollen Bridge; tailor upholsterer Emma Williams stitches fabric squares together.

Llangollen Online 2021 – Official image.

International artist Luke Jerram is working to transform the famous Llangollen Bridge into a giant artwork celebrating peace, as part of the world-renowned Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod (LIME).

Luke plans to wrap the Grade 1 listed stone bridge in a giant patchwork of fabrics, reflecting the crafts and cultures of Wales alongside the festival’s participating nations.

Called Bridges, Not Walls, the artwork celebrates the idea of peace on which the festival was founded nearly 75 years ago.

Known for public art installations around the world including Museum of the Moon, Play Me, I’m Yours which brought street pianos to dozens of international cities and his recent Glass Microbiology sculptures depicting the coronavirus and its vaccine, this is the first commission in Wales for Luke, who completed his degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Whilst the Llangollen Eisteddfod will mainly be held online this year, organisers hope the eye-catching Bridges, Not Walls will also attract people to visit the town this summer.

In a race against time, 800 squares of one metre-wide fabric, including local donations from Llangollen, are currently being stitched together to cover both sides of the 60 metre-long bridge.

Creating an ever-changing artwork depending on the angle, light and weather conditions, the bridge will become an incredible sight to view and visit and a powerful symbol connecting this year’s online festival with its physical roots. Even the water below it will be transformed with the reflections and colours from the bridge.

Luke Jerram’s new bridge artwork will connect and extend the Eisteddfod’s creativity out from the field where it is normally held each year into the town, transforming and animating Llangollen for the whole world to see.

With the panels of the archways almost complete, work will soon start on the material to cover the bridge’s stanchions, or columns, which stand in the water and support the bridge above.

Luke says: “From the moment I saw it, Llangollen Bridge struck me as incredibly powerful, both physically and symbolically. The message and celebration of peace is at the heart of the Llangollen Eisteddfod and so this historic bridge, one of the seven wonders of Wales, makes the perfect canvas. As Sir Isaac Newton once said, “We build too many walls and not enough bridges.” From Israel to the USA, we are at last exploring the possibility of building bridges rather than walls.”

Held in Llangollen every summer since 1947, the Eisteddfod is a truly international cultural festival with a world-class diverse programme that celebrates a message of international peace and friendship through singing, dancing and performance.

Usually attracting over 4,000 performers from around the world and 35,000 visitors to Llangollen, this year’s unique celebration of global peace and harmony will be largely held online in July 2021, with the main programme being presented over the weekend of the 9 – 11 July. Bridges, Not Walls will remain in place on Llangollen Bridge until 5 August.

Betsan Moses, chief executive of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod (LIME) added:

“We’re hugely excited about Bridges, Not Walls which celebrates everything Llangollen’s much-loved Eisteddfod stands for; peace, creativity and togetherness. We’re looking forward to sharing a varied and inspiring programme of events online this year and we hope Luke’s artwork will also encourage people to visit the historic town over the summer.”

With Welsh Government funding, this year’s online Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will celebrate the broadest possible range of musical genres from classical, opera and choral, to jazz, soul and rock, to connect with existing and new audiences in preparation for its physical return in 2022.

For more information please visit https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/

For further information or interviews please contact:

Caroline Harris or Kierstan Lowe at Spirit Public Relations on 0117 944 1415 / 07966 550623 / 07910 234805

or email hello@spiritpublicrelations.co.uk

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

For more information, terms and conditions about submitting patchworks for consideration, please visit https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/

About Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod & Llangollen Online 2021

Every summer since 1947 Llangollen has staged one of the world’s most inspirational cultural festivals. Each year around 4,000 performers and as many as 35,000 visitors converge on this beautiful small Welsh town and its International Pavilion; to sing and dance in a unique combination of competition, performance, and international peace and friendship.https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/

As the world continues to battle through the Coronavirus pandemic, this year’s festival will be held online. Llangollen Online 2021 will offer a reimagining of the annual event that captures the magic of the international Eisteddfod in a digital format. https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/llangollen-online-2021/

About Luke Jerram

Luke Jerram’s multidisciplinary practice involves the creation of sculptures, installations and live arts projects. Living in Bristol, UK but working internationally, Jerram has created a number of extraordinary art projects over the last 24 years which have excited and inspired people around the globe. www.lukejerram.com

Llangollen Eisteddfod Call Out – Get Stitching!

International artist plans fabric transformation of Llangollen bridge! Llangollen Eisteddfod are calling out for people to help transform the landmark Llangollen Bridge into a giant work of art to launch this year’s festival. The Eisteddfod has commissioned internationally renowned artist Luke Jerram to create the new artwork. He plans to wrap the 60 metre-long bridge in a giant patchwork reflecting the crafts and cultures of Wales alongside the festival’s participating nations.

Llangollen Online 2021

As the world continues to battle through the Coronavirus pandemic, we wanted to update you on our plans for Llangollen Online 2021 which are being adapted to reflect the environment that we are now all living in.

As you’re aware, we have suspended the traditional live competition strands for Llangollen 2021, and are reimagining our event in a way that can be delivered safely but which will still capture the magic of our international Eisteddfod in a digital format.

We were hoping to create a hybrid weekend as part of this year’s offer, featuring artists from the 2020 line-up including our iconic Llanfest evening, but due to continued restrictions this cannot be realised this summer. Llanfest ticket holders will be contacted by your ticket provider for a full refund in the next week.

Any other customers who have retained tickets from 2020 will also be contacted in the next week to confirm their ticketing options. Further information is also available on our website and social media channels.

We know that it will be a disappointment to many that we are not able to put on our usual Eisteddfod this year. But please be reassured that we remain committed to our Eisteddfod’s founding mission of bringing people together through music and dance, which will be at the heart of our alternative approach to Llangollen 2021. We thank you for your understanding and as ever, we are grateful for your support.

Please find our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here.

Customer FAQs

Will there be an Eisteddfod in 2021?

Llangollen 2021 Online will be a purely digital event, as it will not be possible for us to hold live concerts or competitions due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. The online event will take place during the usual Eisteddfod week and further details will be announced soon.

What are the dates for Llangollen 2021 Online?

As we are working on finalising our programme for Llangollen 2021 Online we are not in a position to confirm the exact dates of festival yet. However, we expect that the programme will run between the 6th – 11th July 2021.

Is Llanfest happening?

Sadly, it is not possible for Llanfest with James Morrison and Will Young to go ahead due to the Coronavirus restrictions and we are cancelling all bookings for that event. Ticket holders will be contacted by our Box Office, or by their ticket agents, to arrange a refund.

I have retained Eisteddfod tickets from 2020 – how will this affect me?

Customers who have not already confirmed their instructions in relation to tickets retained from 2020 will be contacted by our Box Office to confirm their ticketing options.

When will there be further news about the programme for Llangollen 2021 Online?

Further details will be announced in the coming weeks on our website, through local press and on social media.

How do I get regular updates about Llangollen 2021 Online?

You can sign up to our mailing list, which will ensure that you get our updates at the earliest opportunity. Please use the sign-up facility on the bottom of the Home page of this website to subscribe to the list. Further information will also be posted on our social media channels and website.

I have tickets booked via a ticket agent (Ticketmaster, Gigantic). Who should I contact me if I need refund or exchange?

All tickets purchased via agents will be dealt with via the agent directly.

I’m keen to support Llangollen during these difficult times. How can I do this?

If you are in a position to support and help us over the coming months, please visit the Donate page. We would be very grateful for any support.

Looking for information about participating in Llangollen? Please visit our Participants’ website

Update: COVID-19 Llangollen 2021

In light of the ongoing global battle against Coronavirus, we are working on plans to adapt the format of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for July 2021.

There continues to be significant uncertainty about the possibility of mass events in Wales in the summer of 2021 and we recognise that the Covid-19 restrictions operating around the world have had a significant impact on the groups of choirs and dancers that would usually attend our event. These circumstances mean that we have decided to suspend the traditional live competition strands for Llangollen 2021, and reimagine our event in a way that can be delivered safely but which will still capture the magic of our international Eisteddfod.

We are working hard to create a format for Llangollen 2021 involving digital options and a weekend hybrid event featuring artists from the 2020 concert programme including Llanfest. Details will be confirmed in the late Spring when further information about government guidelines is expected and we will have clarity about what can be achieved.

Further updates will be shared through our website and social media channels.

Please find our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) here.

Customer FAQs

Will there be an Eisteddfod in 2021?

There won’t be the usual Eisteddfod unfortunately, but we are currently working on plans for Llangollen 2021 which are being adapted in light of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Regrettably, there will be no live competitions or daytime programme in 2021, but we are considering alternative formats such as a weekend hybrid event and digital options.

What are the dates for Llangollen 2021?

As we are still working on plans for the format and length of Llangollen 2021 we are not in a position to confirm the exact dates of festival yet. However, we expect that the programme will run between the 6th – 11th July 2021.

I have retained my tickets from 2020 – how will this affect me?

Festival Pass holders and customers who have tickets for our daytime programme or Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday night concerts will be contacted by our Box Office to confirm their ticketing options.
Customers who have tickets for Aled Jones and Russell Watson or Llanfest are not affected and should retain their tickets.

When will there be further news about the programme for Llangollen 2021?

Details will be confirmed in the late Spring when further information about government guidelines is expected and we will have clarity about what can be achieved.

How do I get regular updates about Llangollen 2021?

You can sign up to our mailing list, which will ensure that you get our updates at the earliest opportunity. Please use the sign-up facility on the bottom of the Home page of this website to subscribe to the list. Further information will also be posted on our social media channels and website.

If I can’t make the rescheduled date in 2021, am I entitled to a full refund?

You’re entitled to a full ticket refund back to your original payment method (for cash, cheque or expired cards we will contact you to arrange alternative payment options). However, please note, the refund will be for the ticket price only as any additional costs such as postage and commission fees are non refundable. This is because we have already paid the charges incurred by processing your original order or posting out your tickets.

I have tickets booked via a ticket agent (Ticketmaster, Gigantic). Who should I contact me if I need refund or exchange?

All tickets purchased via agents will be dealt with via the agent directly. We are working with our agent partners and will be keeping them fully updated on developments with Llangollen 2021.

I’m keen to support Llangollen during these difficult times. How can I do this?

If you are in a position to support and help us over the coming months, please visit the Donate page https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/make-a-donation/ . We would be very grateful for any support.

Looking for information about participating in Llangollen? Please visit our Participants’ website https://eisteddfodcompetitions.co.uk/

President Terry Waite bids a fond farewell to Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

Mr Terry Waite CBE, LIME’s long serving President recently took the decision to stand down from the role after 15 prolific years. His commitment to the Eisteddfod has been exemplary, forever promoting our festival and extending the hand of friendship across the world. We wish to thank him for his astounding commitment and steadfast friendship and look forward to being able to honour him in the future.

Please see below an article recently published in the Wrexham Leader and the Oswestry and Border Counties Advertiser recounting Mr Waite’s time as President of Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod:

President Terry Waite bids a fond farewell to Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

THE long-serving president of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod (LIME) is stepping down from the role.

Terry Waite, 81, is an English humanitarian and author who was awarded the MBE in 1982 and the CBE in 1992.

Mr Waite says retiring from the role with LIME a few weeks ago was the ‘hardest decision’ he’s ever had to make.

Having spent the last 15 years as president, he says his decision came as a result of Covid-19 directly ‘changing’ the future of what’s to come with LIME, which had to be cancelled this year due to the pandemic.

An online event was introduced to help keep the international communities involved connected.

Mr Waite said: “Music has the capacity to breathe harmony into the soul and during good times and bad music has united the Welsh nation in a unique way. It should come as no surprise to anyone that following the second world war the people of Llangollen stretched out a hand to the world and invited people from across the globe to come to the town and share together in a gathering designed to promote harmony and peace throughout the world.

“Little did I know when I stepped onto that coach in 1948 that one day I would become President of one of the great music festivals of the world.

“My introduction to the International Eisteddfod came through the Warrington Male Voice Choir with whom I have been associated for many years. I came with them to Llangollen and later was invited to be a day President before finally being invited to be President.

“I do know that in all my time as President I have not missed one year and have stayed in Llangollen for the duration of the festival. That was not a duty. It was a pleasure.

“To recount my experiences would fill volumes. I have listened over the years as Bryn Terfel developed his extensive repertoire, as Alfie Bow moved from white tie and tails to a more casual form of dress, as Katherine Jenkins took the first steps to what has become an international career. There are dozens more I could mention.

“The competitors from overseas have been so very varied. Many came from areas that were being torn apart by warfare and found, through music, friends whom they thought were enemies.

“Then there are the local wonderful volunteers. I have made so many good friends amongst them and these friendships will continue across my lifetime. Each year it has been possible to thank the sponsors who have been magnificent.

“As for the audience-well, what can I say? Year by year they return and again, one had made so many good friendships with people not only from the British Isles but from across the world.

“Will I miss being President? Most certainly I shall. LIME has been one of the highlights of my year and to retire was one of the hardest decisions I have had to take for many a year.

“However, LIME, due to Covid and other factors, is at a point of change and given my age, I am 82 in 2021, it seemed the right time to step down and let a younger person take over from me.

“Wales has always had a special place in my affections and although I don’t speak one word of the language I like to think that during the past years I have been accepted as a member of the family of the Eisteddfod which, although it is rooted and located in Wales, extends across the world with the aim of uniting us all together in peace and harmony.

“As I say farewell I salute a great institution. Long may it continue.”

Mr Waite’s life-story is a highly interesting one.

In January 1987, he was captured in Beirut, Lebanon, whilst attempting to secure the release of hostages. He was kept in solitary confinement for four years and kept hostage in total for almost five years.

Born in 1939 in Cheshire, Mr Waite’s formative years were spent in a small village where his father was the village policeman.

His primary and secondary education took place locally. He served for a brief period with the Grenadier Guards but had to retire on medical grounds. He entered the Church Army College in London in 1958 and studied theology.

He married Helen Watters in 1964. They have three daughters and a son. In 1969 he moved with his family to Africa where he was Advisor to the first Archbishop of Uganda, the Most Reverend Erica Sabiti.

The family moved to Rome in 1972 and he travelled the world advising organisations of the Roman Catholic Church on development – mainly in the fields of health and education.

He has travelled widely in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and North and South America and also holds honorary doctorates from the Universities of the City of London (1986), Kent at Canterbury (1986), Liverpool (1986), Durham (1992), Sussex (1992) and Yale (1992).

Mr Waite’s first visit to Wales came when he was very young, when his grandmother decided to take him there on a day trip.

He recalls: “We got up very early in the morning and boarded the coach which obligingly stopped direct outside the front door of the little terraced house. Living as we did in Cheshire, Wales was on our doorstep and this visit was but the first of many made across the years.

“My paternal grandmother was a music teacher and during the years of the depression played the piano for the silent movies. She always wanted me to learn to play but as she lived far away from our home and also as we could not afford even a secondhand instrument I never played anything except the mouthorgan and a recorder at school.

“Music has however always been an important part of my life and of course that being so I was further attracted to a musical nation-Wales.

“My own father suffered considerably during the depression of the 1920’s and few nations know better that Wales the effect suffering can have on families and communities.”

Dr Rhys Davies, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod chair, says they plan to bring Mr Waite back one last time post-Covid-19 to thank him properly for his service over the last 15 years. Dr Davies added that no replacement has yet been found for the role of president.

Oswestry and Border Counties Advertiser

https://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/18969170.president-terry-waite-bids-fond-farewell-llangollen-international-musical-eisteddfod/

The Wrexham Leader, article written by Arron Evans

https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/18969169.president-terry-waite-bids-fond-farewell-llangollen-international-musical-eisteddfod/