The Llangollen Eisteddfod returns today following two years absence caused by the pandemic.
The festival is celebrating it’s 75th anniversary after launching in 1947 following the Second World War.
The event in Llangollen promotes international peace through music, art and dance and over the last two years, in person cheers were replaced with tapping of the keyboard as performances had to be streamed online.
The competitions for the festival start today (July 7).
This year the eisteddfod has joined forces with the Llangollen Fringe Festival to become Llanfest for this Sunday.
The fringe festival is also celebrating a mile stone of 25 years, which combined with the Eisteddfod marks 100 years of festivals held in Llangollen.
The four day Eisteddfod will host new attractions on a new renovated outdoor site as well as the usual music, dance, talks, comedy, food, drink, shopping, workshops and pop-up entertainment.
There will be evening concerts featuring singing duo of Aled Jones and Russell Watson, and Anoushka Shankar the British -Indian-American sitar player.
Attendees can look forward to hearing Choir of the World and the contest for the Pendine International Voice of the Future featuring the finest young singers from around the world on Saturday evening.
Whilst this year demonstrates a shortened programme in comparison to previous Eisteddfods the festival boasts an exciting programme of competitions in the Pavillion.
On Sunday the festival will welcome acts for Llanfest including featuring indie rock stars Amber Run, blues powerhouse Elles Bailey and Bajan-Welsh singer songwriter Kizzy Crawford
The anniversary of the Eisteddfod has been met by congratulations by many including opera star Sir Bryn Terfel.
As a previous Eisteddfod performer himself, Sir Bryn said: “I send my heartfelt congratulations to the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod as it celebrates its 75th anniversary.
“A truly unique event that is lauded as an international treasure – the people, the stage, the audiences, even all those beautiful flowers at the front of the stage making such a truly memorable and unique experience.”
First Minister Mark Drakeford also shared his congratulations: "The Llangollen International Eisteddfod is truly an icon of the Welsh cultural landscape, and it’s particularly exciting to be able to welcome in person attendees back to the event and back to Wales this year.
As relevant today as when it was first established in the aftermath of the Second World War, the overriding message of the International Eisteddfod is of international harmony and cooperation and it gives us that annual opportunity to reflect upon these vital priorities.”
Finally the 75th Eisteddfod received a Royal message from Patron the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, who wrote: “It is a source of great pride to me, as Patron of the Eisteddfod, that Wales should have given the world this shining example of peace and harmony.”
To make the festival a success organisers rely on the help volunteers who come from far and wide.
However, one volunteer travels over 6,000 miles every year to take part in this celebration of Welsh heritage and International culture.
Bill Kong attends and helps out with the festival alongside his wife and son from Hong Kong.
He said: "I have been mesmerised by the magic of Llangollen.
"That means the music, the performers as well as the visitors and above all the hard work and dedication of all the volunteers throughout the year who make the Eisteddfod the incredible event that it has become."
“The young and the more seasoned have all played their part in the history of something so unique and special by participating in the legacy of the festival.”
The festival runs from 10.30am-10pm today, 8.30am-10pm Friday and 11.30 onwards Sunday day.
Tickets cost £12 for adults, £10 concession and £5 for children.
Specific tickets are needed for the evening concert on Sunday with tickets priced at £26.
More information can be found here.
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