Posts Categorized: Featured

Call for singers to join 200-strong choir

A search has been launched for singers from across North Wales to join a massed choir of 200 voices to call for world peace. 

The performance at Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will pay tribute to the thousands of men, women and children massacred in the 1990s war in Bosnia and shine a light on the desperate plight of those currently suffering in war-torn Ukraine. 

The concert, called The White Flower: Into the Light, will be held at 8pm on Wednesday, July 5, just a few days before Srebrenica Memorial Day on July 11 to remember the 8,372 Bosnian Muslims who were massacred in in 1995. 

The White Flower motif has been adopted as a symbol of remembrance in Srebrenica and the 11 petals of the flower represent the day the genocide began. 

The theme of the concert was chosen to reflect the founding purpose of the Eisteddfod, an iconic event which was established in 1947 to promote peace in the aftermath of the Second World War. 

It will feature extracts from the haunting mass for peace, The Armed Man, by renowned Welsh composer Karl Jenkins as a centrepiece of the programme. 

Volunteers are needed to join the huge, specially formed choir, one of the biggest ever seen in North Wales. 

They will be accompanied by the acclaimed NEW Sinfonia orchestra that will be making its debut headline appearance at Llangollen Eisteddfod. 

NEW Sinfonia conductor Robert Guy has issued a call for singers of all ages  to sign up for the choir, with rehearsals due to get underway on May 13.  

He said there will be no barriers to taking part in this stirring occasion, adding: “It is not restricted to those with previous concert singing experience. We are opening it up to all comers, all they need is a love of singing.”    

At the heart of the choir will be a group of keen amateur singers who belong to the hugely successful NEW Voices project already established by NEW Sinfonia.  

Robert said: “It’s thanks to the huge success of our NEW Voices project that we already have a core group of enthusiastic amateur singers ready to step up and sing at Llangollen. But we need lots more singers, especially tenors and basses.  

“We will need 200 voices in all so we are urging anyone with a passion for singing and a desire to take part in this momentous event to sign up quickly now.”  

NEW Voices includes refugees who have settled in North Wales following conflicts or persecution in their own countries. They have found solace in singing together and made new friends through the common language of music. 

Among them is a young Ukrainian conductor Polina Horelova who with her young family was forced to flee her home city of Mariupol after the Russians invaded and razed the city.  

It is hoped Polina will conduct the traditional Ukrainian folk piece River Song during the concert of remembrance. 

Robert added: “We are proud that NEW Voices comprises such a wide mix of musical abilities and a range of nationalities. We encompass singers from Wales, Ukraine, Iraq, Iran, Algeria and El Salvador, among other countries.  

“For our White Flower: Into the Light programme we need sopranos, altos, tenors, basses and young voices too; we encourage everyone to come forward.  

“There will be regular rehearsals so people need not fear that they are not good enough or lack confidence. We are here to guide them through the whole wonderful process.” 

Rehearsals will be at two hubs, one in Tŷ Pawb community arts centre, Wrexham, and the other at St Asaph Parish Church. They meet on Saturday mornings from 10am-12 noon. There is also a facility for people to join rehearsals via Zoom video conferencing technology. 

Llangollen Eisteddfod Executive Producer Camilla King said: “We have been thinking about doing something on this theme and scale for some time but it is only this year that the various strands have come together to create what promises to be a magical evening. 

“It is heart-breaking to look back on the Bosnian war and realise that a whole cultural identity was under attack.  

“As well as the relentless murdering of the population, its entire heritage was targeted, artworks destroyed and cultural icons demolished. Now just two decades later very similar monstrosities are happening in Ukraine right now. 

“We wanted to put on a concert to highlight that humanity at its heart is so much better than this. We wanted to reflect the ethos of peace, friendship and cultural diversity which is at the very roots of the International Eisteddfod and is the reason why it was founded in the first place all those years ago in 1947. 

“It will be a thought-provoking, contemplative evening but it will also be uplifting as it highlights important themes of hope, togetherness and overcoming division.”  

Camilla added: “I am expecting demand for tickets will be high as there is no doubt in my mind that this will be a truly unforgettable evening. We invite everyone to come along and enjoy.” 

For more details about the concert at 8pm on Wednesday, July 5, visit: https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/events/wednesday-evening/ and to sign up for the choir or get more information email at  voices@newsinfonia.org.uk and robert@newsinfonia.org.uk or call Robert Guy on 07725 050510. 

A new look for Llangollen 2023

If you’re reading this story you may have noticed that our website has had a colourful refresh! This new look represents our new branding, designed by North Wales-based design agency View Creative. 

Launched in May 2023, the re-brand has been just one part of a strategic review process that has been ongoing since 2019, ensuring that we update all areas of our business to be fit for the future. We’ve been working on the re-brand since September 2022 and numerous staff, board, volunteers, funders and a myriad of other friends and colleagues have been involved. 

As with all areas of our work, we remain committed to our founding principles: using the tradition of eisteddfodau, friendly competitions and showcasing the arts and culture, as a means of promoting international peace and friendship. We hope our fresh new look will help us achieve this whilst attracting new audiences and supporters, and aligning us with other leading international festivals. 

Hopefully one of the first things people will notice about the new branding is the vibrant colour palette. This has been collated through reviewing our photographic archive, inspired by the colours of international costumes, flags and parades over the last 76 years. Our visitors frequently tell us that the visual vibrancy and bold colour schemes of our events stick in their memory. 

Inspiration has also been drawn from our incredible town and its surroundings, looking at shapes and how these can be translated into typography and graphics. Shapes are inspired by iconic natural and man-made features in Llangollen, the original logo and the magnificent floral displays which are such a unique aspect of our Eisteddfod. Importantly, the brand works bilingually, balancing both our place in Wales and the wider world. 

The new brand makes use of the Welsh letter LL that for many conjures thoughts of Welsh language and place. Ll (upper case version: LL) is a digraph (two symbols that count as one letter), the 16th letter in the Welsh alphabet, and the start of over 400 place names across the country, including of course our incomparable hometown. 

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is a truly unique and incredible annual event. The 2023 edition runs Tuesday 4 – Sunday 9 July and comprises a buzzing outdoor site, world-class evening concert series, and diverse mix of traditional and contemporary music and dance competitions. To find out more see all events here. 

Sing with us!

Sing with us! / Canwch gyda ni!

Come and join Lleisiau Llan, a choir of massed Welsh and international voices, singing together for The White Flower; Into the Light. Weds 05 July. 8pm, in the magnificent 4,000 seat Royal Pavilion, Llangollen.

Produced with our friends at NEW Sinfonia and in collaboration with Remembering Srebrenica, The White Flower is a concert of remembrance and hope, featuring NEW Sinfonia, soloists from Bosnia, Wales and Ukraine, with works including extracts from Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man.

For a sign-up form email: voices@newsinfonia.org.uk

Everyone welcome, all music provided with rehearsals in venues around NE Wales during May and June.

Don’t miss out! / Peidiwch â cholli allan!

Concert tickets £16-£40 available from our website https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/events/wednesday-evening/

Review of Motto Usage

Having considered the public response at length, the Board has voted to continue using T. Gwynn Jones’ motto. However, we are committed to a public discussion in the future, to ensure that the Eisteddfod motto is reflective of the world we live in today and the world we want to live in tomorrow.

In discussing our approach to language as an organisation, and developing a new Welsh Language Policy (which we will be sharing soon), we believe it is only right to consider many different voices, and to question how language continues to evolve.

We would like to thank those who have contributed constructively to this meaningful discussion; arguments have been made very powerfully both for keeping the Eisteddfod’s motto, and for commissioning new poetry. To ensure clarity of meaning to our audiences across the globe, the Welsh and English language versions of the motto will appear alongside each other wherever possible.

Our focus now is on delivering an Eisteddfod which will bring together communities from around the world, in a joyful celebration of the power of music and dance to create understanding and harmony.

2023 Choral applications now OPEN!

After a roof-raising return in 2022, celebrating our historic 75th anniversary, it is a huge pleasure to announce that the 2023 Choral Syllabus is LIVE! Next summer from 04-09 July, we’ll be presenting our first full-length Eisteddfod since the pandemic, with a new improved outdoor site, the annual Parade back, bigger and better than ever, and some exciting new competitions on our closing Sunday.

Some things never change, though, and competitors can rely upon our warm welcome to make them feel right at home. Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is located in the idyllic mountain town of Llangollen in North East Wales, with our main competitions taking place in the magnificent 4,000 seat Royal International Pavilion.

We are continually working to improve our offering, and so this year we’ve made applying much simpler. We’ve also separated our competitions into syllabuses for choral, dance, soloists and instrumental groups, with choral released first and the others to follow shortly (dates to follow).

We look forward to welcoming performers from around the world to share in the joy of friendly competition!

View the full syllabus and online application form on our dedicated competitors website www.eisteddfodcompetitions.co.uk

Or open the syllabus PDF here: 2023 Choral Syllabus Final

Prince of Wales hails peace festival as “shining example of peace and harmony”.

The Prince of Wales has hailed an international festival where he once did some impromptu bhangra dancing as a “shining example of peace and harmony”.

The royal tribute was in the foreword he wrote for the programme of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod that’s celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

The event was established in1947 in the aftermath of the Second World War as a way of bringing the nations of the world closer together in a colourful, multi-cultural melting pot.

Ever since the picturesque town of Llangollen in the Dee Valley has been known as the place where Wales meets the world. (more…)

Mega prize attracts world’s best young singers to North Wales

Voice of the Future

Twenty four of the world’s best young singers will be vying for a prestigious international prize at a top festival in North Wales.

Competitors from as far afield as China, America, Spain, Latvia and Estonia will be battling for the title of Pendine International Voice of the Future at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. (more…)

2022 Daytime Competition and Field tickets are now on sale!

Plan your summer early and book your Day and Field entry tickets for Llangollen 2022. Tickets go on sale this morning at 10am!  For more information on ticket types and what’s on please see below.

Pavilion Day

Want to see the vocal stars of the future, worlds best choirs, amazing folk dance from across the globe – book your seat in the pavilion now so you don’t miss out!

For more information visit: Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod What’s On

Pavilion Day Tickets:
Full Price – £16
Child Price – £6
(Booking Fees apply)

Pavilion Day tickets include full access to the Field and a reserved seat in the Pavilion for daytime competitions – please be aware that competition schedules are subject to change.

Thursday 7th July – Children’s Day

Field open for members of the public and ticket holders from 10.30am until 10.00pm.

Your allocated seat will be available in the Pavilion arena for the Young Peacemakers Awards and afternoon competitions from 12:00pm

The first full day of competitions is not to be missed as children’s choirs and children’s folk dance groups take centre stage. We also feature the WCIA Young Peacemakers Awards.

Young Peace Makers Awards – celebrating young people who have contributed to peace and global citizenship in their school, youth group, local community or overseas in a variety of ways.

Friday 8th July – International Youth Day

Field open for members of the public and ticket holders from 08:30am until 10.00pm.

Don’t miss the beautifully polished harmonies of the Youth Choirs and A Cappella Group competitions, and the colourful performances of the Choreographed/Stylised Folk Dance Group.

Also introducing a brand new competition; Young Folk Ensemble. Our Soloist competitions also begin today, taking centre stage with Voice of Musical Theatre, Vocal Solo categories and Young and Junior Instrumentalists competitions.

Saturday 9th July  – Family Day

Field open for members of the public and ticket holders from 08:30am until 10.00pm.

Our main choral competition day is not to be missed, as choirs from all across the globe will perform on the prestigious Eisteddfod stage. You can see the world’s best Mixed, Youth, Female, Male, Open Choirs and new for 2022 Show Choirs battle it out to be crowned Choir of the World. 

Today we also introduce our new Contemporary Dance competition. Winners from this competition will join the winners from the Traditional and Choreographed Dance competitions to compete for the Dance Champions title on Saturday evening.

Field Admission

Field Day Adult £12
Field Day Concession £10
Field Day Child 5+ £5
Field Day Child under 5 FREE
Family tickets also available
(Booking Fees apply)

Tickets are available to book for Thursday 7th July – Children’s Day, Friday 8th July – International Youth Day and Saturday 9th July – Family Day.

We have a special reduced Evening Field entry price of £5, valid from 4.30pm Thursday-Saturday.

Field Day tickets include full access to the grounds with admission into the Pavilion in blocks D and H on first come, first served basis.

This July we’ll be presenting a completely revamped outdoor site, with music, dance, talks, comedy, food, drink, shopping, workshops and pop-up entertainment, designed to delight and surprise! Come and relax, or come and expand your mind, with a programme bursting with family-friendly events running from mid-morning until 9pm.

Will you need parking? You can also pre-book your parking space for £5.00 when purchasing your tickets. This can be added to your basket during the booking process. This is an all-day ticket from 8:00am.

2022 Group and Solo competition applications open!

 

Croeso! Welcome!

Following a two-year hiatus from live competitions, I am delighted to announce that applications to take part in the ‘Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod’, which takes place from Thursday 7th July – Sunday 10th July 2022, are now open!

Download 2022 Syllabus here

Visit Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Participants’ Website  for more competition information. (more…)