This modern statement of the Eisteddfod’s ethos – its characteristic spirit – is essentially an updating of the aims from 1946.
The purpose of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is to promote international harmony and goodwill through the staging of an annual eisteddfod open to competitors from the nations of the world.
The Eisteddfod is guided by its original conviction that differences such as language, culture, politics, race and creed are not insuperable barriers to our acceptance of one another. It believes that this attitude is an essential prerequisite for creating harmony within and between societies and nations.
The festival encourages better understanding among the ordinary people of the world by bringing them together in a welcoming and harmonious environment for a shared experience of song and dance. It is a celebration of the cultural diversity of the human race.
Set in the beautiful Dee Valley of North Wales, the festival creates a unique and joyful musical experience. It welcomes competitors from across the globe in a shared pursuit of artistic excellence, inspiring the mutual exchange of ideas and techniques. For almost 80 years, the festival has presented memorable concerts bringing the world’s finest performers in music and dance to its stage. The International Eisteddfod is a platform to explore and teach approaches to building peaceful and harmonious societies.
Promoting goodwill abroad for Wales, the Eisteddfod relies on the initiative of a small community to harness the potential of this ancient Welsh tradition to make it an integral part of modern Wales. Our festival supports those policies that aim to establish Wales as a nation of sanctuary, foster the well-being of future generations, and pursue the aspiration of becoming a nation of peace. By sharing its activities across many countries, the Eisteddfod helps raise awareness of Wales, its values, culture and language, and encourages visitors from around the world.
