For almost 60 years, the constituency of Clwyd South has hosted one of the world's most noted and successful cultural events. The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has now attracted in total over 500,000 performers from 124 countries from all corners of world.
Included in this year's host of competitors were representatives from places as far flung as Togo, Nepal, Ghana and Sakhalin Island -all competing in a series of folk, song and dance competitions.
What is your MP doing to help?
The first Eisteddfod took place the year in which I was born. If I, as a member of parliament had done as much for World Peace as the International Eisteddfod has done since, I would certainly demand the Nobel Peace prize. It's achievement last year in reaching the top ten in the nomination procedure from a host of 194 submissions is a clear demonstration of the respect the world has for our festival.
The festival is estimated to generate around 6.1 Million pounds for the local economy each year and has proven to have wider benefits for the entire world in the arenas of peace and music.
With continued help from the British Council I pledge every year to place every effort in ensuring that visas are obtained for all competitors who wish to travel to Llangollen.
More information is available in my press-database where a number of press-releases have been released in the past associated with the Eisteddfod http://www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk/
The 2005 International Musical Eisteddfod in Pictures
The 2005 International Musical Eisteddfod was once again a significant success and placed our constituency at the heart of global culture for the duration of the festival. Highlights of the festival can be found at the official site, including pictures from the performances by Lesley Garrett and Jonathan Lemalu. Here, however are a few pictures collected by myself from the festival's beginnings at the Launch in London to the festival in action in Llangollen.
Please CLICK HERE for a short showreel of pictures.
The 2006 International Musical Eisteddfod
As organisation for the 2006 festival continues, I will post any important information brought to my attention in this section.
Nobel Prize Nomination
This year's festival was the first since the Eisteddfod was nominated for the Nobel peace prize. The event was shortlisted and commended for having brought the nations of the world together in peace and friendship through music and dance, following the violence of WWII – this was indeed the objective of the Eisteddfod's founder, Harold Tudor.
Even today, this ethos of the festival is in full force - displayed in 2004 by one group from Chechnya and another from Russia performing together during the week.
The Aims of the Festival
The festival aims to provide a platform for people of all nations to meet and communicate through the International language of music thereby promoting peace, harmony and greater understanding. In addition to this key aim, the Eisteddfod endeavours to bring together amateur and professional in the presentation of music and dance to the highest standard, while furthering education in the fine arts.
How You Can Help
There are numerous ways in which you can help at Llangollen's Eisteddfod. The text below gives information how how you can volunteer and donate. There is even a special “Eisteddfod Lotto” which you could enter – elaborated details can be found on the festival's offical website CLICK HERE
Volunteering
The hospitality of Llangollen during the festival is legendary with the vast majority of the competitors visiting the International Eisteddfod billeted with local families for the duration of their stay.
The Eisteddfod could not exist without the active support of its huge team of volunteers, whose involvement is wide ranging across the many and varied elements of the festival.
If you would like to hear about the many ways in which you could become involved, please contact the Eisteddfod Office:
Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod
Royal International Pavilion, Abbey Road, Llangollen LL20 8SW
Tel: 01978 862000
Fax: 01978 862002
Email: info@international-eisteddfod.co.uk
Donations
One of the best ways for individuals to donate to the festival is through a rewarding scheme known as ‘Friends of the Eisteddfod'. To say a big thank-you, the festival will offer those who participate in the scheme access to exclusive areas at the festival as well as other advantages.
The Friends of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, or F.L.I.M.E. as it has become known, was started in 1974 by Michael Fay and other members of the Eisteddfod Publicity Committee to support the Eisteddfod. As a result of its work, donations have been made to the Eisteddfod's funds each year, allowing the purchase of equipment ranging from seats to computers, speakers to security cameras.
Friends are a Registerd Charity, distinct from the Eisteddfod itself. Many members significantly increase the value of their subscription by paying by GIFT AID allowing their tax to be reclaimed.
For further information, contact Terry Browning, membership secretary.
Tel: 01978 862000
Email: friends@international-eisteddfod.co.uk
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