TRANSFORMING the iconic Llangollen Bridge into a giant patchwork has marked the launch of the International Musical Eisteddfod this weekend.
The world-famous event has returned this year with a diverse new cultural programme specially commissioned, and streamed free of charge, to celebrate the message of international peace and friendship on which it was founded over 70 years ago.
The new artwork, Bridges Not Walls, is a first commission in Wales for the internationally renowned Luke Jerram, known for public art installations around the world including Museum of the Moon and Play Me, I'm Yours street pianos, and who completed his degree at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Over a hundred individually handcrafted squares of fabric, from people in the local community and around the world, were submitted for inclusion in the giant patchwork which celebrates the traditional craft of Wales and many participating nations.
Made up of 800 one-metre-wide squares in total, the artwork covers both sides of the 60 metre-long bridge, connecting this year's online festival with its physical roots and creating an ever-changing artwork depending on the angle, light and weather conditions - all of which is reflected in the water beneath.
Luke said: "From the moment I saw it, Llangollen Bridge struck me as incredibly powerful, both physically and symbolically.
“The message and celebration of peace is at the heart of the Llangollen Eisteddfod and so this historic bridge, one of the seven wonders of Wales, makes the perfect canvas.”
WATCH THE BRIDGE GET 'PATCHED UP' FOR THE EISTEDDFOD HERE!
The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has been held in the beautiful Welsh town every summer since 1947 (with the exception of 2020 when it was postponed due to the pandemic).
It usually attracts over 4,000 performers from around the world and 35,000 visitors to Llangollen.
This year, the Eisteddfod is being largely held online, with the main programme presented free of charge over the weekend of July 9 - 11.
All performances will be streamed live online via the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod website with no need to book tickets or pre-register.
With funding support from Welsh Government, this year's Eisteddfod will celebrate the broadest possible range of genres from classical, choral, hip hop, dance and world music, as well as Luke Jerram's Llangollen bridge artwork, to connect with existing and new audiences in preparation for its physical return in 2022.
Betsan Moses, interim chief executive of the Llangollen Eisteddfod for 2021, is leading the creation of a world-class cultural programme to connect with both new and existing audiences, after last year's event was postponed.
She said: "The Llangollen Eisteddfod was founded on the idea of bringing peace and this year's cultural programme expresses what it stands for; peace, creativity and togetherness.
“We're looking forward to sharing a varied and inspiring programme of events online this weekend, with an array of world-class performers across musical and artistic genres and exciting new commissions to delight both existing and new audiences across the globe.
"And we're hugely excited about Bridges, Not Walls which celebrates everything Llangollen's much-loved Eisteddfod stands for, as well as offering us a physical connection with this beautiful town for this year's online event and attracting visitors over the summer."
The 2021 Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod programme comprises of:
Bridges, Not Walls - Luke Jerram:
A brand-new art installation by the world-renowned artist Luke Jerram, who has covered the Grade I listed Llangollen Bridge with a patchwork of fabrics representing Wales and countries that usually attend the Eisteddfod.
Known for public art installations around the world including Museum of the Moon, Play Me, I'm Yours street pianos and Glass Microbiology sculptures depicting the coronavirus and its vaccine, this is his first commission in Wales.
The artwork will remain in place until 5 August.
Tangnefedd - Paul Mealor and Mererid Hopwood:
World-premiere of a new choral piece by Paul Mealor, one of the world's most performed living composers and Mererid Hopwood, renowned Welsh poet and the first woman to win the National Eisteddfod Chair.
The performance will feature choirs from around the world that have successfully competed at the Eisteddfod, from the UK, US and Africa.
In the Welsh language, Tangnefedd means the result of bringing together two elements in peace and harmony.
Home/Adref - Horizons (BBC/ACW), Rachel K Collier, Magugu and Lily Beau:
A new dance track, Home/Adref, commissioned for Llangollen Eisteddfod by up-and-coming electronic producer and performer Rachel K Collier, Nigerian-born, avant-garde rapper Magugu and talented young Welsh singer-songwriter and actress Lily Beau.
The track is designed to inspire the Eisteddfod international music and dance community and wider public to respond with their own moves on social media.
It's also a world first of combining the English, Welsh and Nigerian Pidgin Rap languages.
Catrin Finch and Guests:
A new musical composition exploring the peace message with internationally renowned harpist and composer Catrin Finch, pioneering beatboxer and rapper Mr Phormula (Ed Holden), British Asian musician and tabla player Kuljit Bhamra, Eliza Marshall and Nick Ellis on Bansuri, Lee House, electronics and RAV drum and the refugee and asylum seeker Oasis One World Choir, from Cardiff.
Beth Yw Heddwch?/What is Peace? schools project:
A project exploring children's thoughts about peace through the written word, dance, movement and drama sessions involving 1,000 pupils from three schools from Rhyl, Llanberis and Llangollen.
A creative video will be produced and an exhibition of postcards expressing children's views about peace will be displayed throughout the town.
Peace Pavilion Programme:
A thought-provoking programme of talks and activities with Academi Heddwch Cymru exploring peace and peacebuilding.
The programme includes ‘The Peace Lecture' given by Begoña Lasagabaster, UN Women Chief of Leadership and Governance Section; ‘The Art of Peacebuilding'; ‘Peace Poems' and much more.
For more information please visit https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/
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