Community Rhythms and Roots

‘Tell your community story at next year’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod’

Following a very successful pilot project in 2024, involving three community groups, the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is now inviting expressions of interest from communities across Wales to take part in the next stage.

This project called the Emerging Voices of Wales, supported by Arts Council Wales, has been created to explore the multicultural and multilingual nature of modern Wales and to unlock the creative potential of communities living in Wales. The project reflects Llangollen Eisteddfod’s rich heritage and is aligned to the organisation’s ambition of using the arts and culture to bring different communities together in a spirit of peace and friendship.

Under the title of Community Rhythms and Roots, we are looking for culturally and linguistically diverse groups and communities based in Wales who wish to share their stories with Wales and the World, using music, dance and literature. The 6 successful applicants will showcase their performances at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in 2025.

Working with external partners such as the National Dance Company of Wales, Literature Across Frontiers, other professional partners and freelance artists, all six groups will have access to expert support with their storytelling skills and ambitions and some financial assistance to help them showcase their productions at Llangollen in July 2025.

If you are interested in this wonderful opportunity to represent your community on a world stage, are willing to experiment with different art forms, want to perform in your own language and work with your own community to tell your unique story – and be supported and inspired by experts along the way – then please apply using the electronic form provided.

The project leaders will provide all the support and assistance that you need – all we need is a creative idea from your group that will represent a multicultural, multilingual and diverse community in Wales and a commitment to a timetable that will involve rehearsals from January 2025 onwards,  a community performance in early summer and a showcase event staged at the Llangollen Eisteddfod on Wednesday the 9th of July, 2025.

APPLY

*Click here to apply

Videos of the 2024 Community Groups 

Newport Chinese Community Centre  …created a performance that encapsulated poetry (in Mandarin and Cantonese), dance, music and singing that had the theme of peace.

Cardiff Sudanese Community Group  … presented a children’s performance that explored conflict and resolution, supported by The Successors of the Mandingue

Wrexham Urdd Dance Group…created a dance piece that celebrated the links between Llangollen and their local Wrexham AFC, supported by National Dance Wales.

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