HUNDREDS of folk from a kaleidoscope of cultural backgrounds will join a Celebration for the Nations at Llanelli Millennium Coastal Park Festival Fields July 19-29.
The 10-day festival will draw people from Korea, all over Europe, India and America to be united in music and song and honour God.
Organiser Gail Dixon said: “We know of people coming from 30 different nations with as many as 350 coming from Korea alone.
“They come to honour God and to thank the Welsh for bringing them the Christian message of hope and freedom.”
County executive board member for leisure services Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “This is like having a mini Bread of Heaven multicultural Glastonbury Festival on our fabulous coastal site.
“How wonderful it is to have so many people coming to Llanelli for a summer fortnight from all over the world to celebrate and share the joys of religion in a fun way. As well as spreading the joy of diverse cultures these pilgrims to Llanelli are providing a significant boost to the local economy.”
The event is not confined to the MCP Festival Field site where there is a marquee to accommodate morning and evening concerts, it spills over into the town and on to Llanelli Beach too.
Gail said: “This really is a fun festival and it has grown in each of the seven years it has been running. We will be having music and dance displays in the town centre at Spring Gardens and Stepney Square and even on Llanelli beach.
“The music is so varied it appeals to people of all ages. We have had skateboarders and chapel goers as one singing along and joining in the enthusiasm of it all.
“The whole atmosphere is family friendly and the invitation is open to everyone to meet and enjoy people who have travelled thousands of miles just to be in Llanelli.”
One of the festival highlights is the International Gymanfa Ganu on Saturday July 20 featuring choirs from Korea and Wales conducted by Burry Port Town Choir conductor Ryan Lee and organist and popular Greenfield Baptist Minister the Rev David Jones. Welsh tenor Huw Priday and opera singer Elizabeth Woollett are also be taking part.
The free entrance celebration is open to all residents. There is a parents supervised children’s corner with all ages catered for. There will be multicultuaral craft and music stalls and food from burgers to bhajees.
The Celebrate the Nation pilgrims are being accommodated at Llanelli North Dock Horizons and homes all about Llanelli.
Captions:
FUN IN THE SUN: Korean visitors share their entertainment in Llanelli Town Centre’s Spring Gardens.
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