International Celebrations at the Berwyn Eisteddfod

International Celebrations at the Berwyn Eisteddfod

 As part of the Llangollen Musical Eisteddfod Festival, international performers were invited to entertain audiences at a number of outreach events including the HM Prison Berwyn.

The event was a culmination of workshops and competitions organised by the collaborative efforts between Coleg Berwyn, Berywn Residents, Reducing Reoffending, Welsh Lead for Equalities and Llangollen Eisteddfod. Throughout the months of May and June residents were encouraged to engage their imagination with creative writing and performance. Themes for the Berwyn Eisteddfod included Welsh Culture and Hope & Friendship where residents produced art, short stories, poetry and song.

The final took place on the 4^th July where each performance category was judged by a panel of representatives. These judges were HR Manager at Berwyn, Jason Kelsall, Rachel James, Head of Business Assurance at Berwyn and Llangollen Eisteddfod representative John Gambles.

The event concluded in a colourful display by special guests, Real Folk International Academy from Punjab performing in the prison. They received a standing ovation from the audience as they performed a vibrant and traditional Punjabi dance. The Real Folk International Academy was then treated with a multicultural buffet with the residents, giving them an opportunity to share ideas and discuss the themes of the Eisteddfod.

The collaborative efforts between the Llangollen Musical Eisteddfod and the Berwyn mini Eisteddfod proved a special experience for participating residents and international guests.

Other outreach events took place throughout North Wales during the week of the festival. This included a special appearance of international performers from Columbia and Malaysia to Pendine Park and Abby Dingle care homes.

Berwyn also attended the weeklong festival in Llangollen for their third year, where they welcomed visitors with information about the outreach project. Festivalgoers were also treated to Berwyn’s award winning Custodial Pies made by Berwyn residents. Proceeds from the pies help maintain the scheme and teach residents important skills for future employment.

John Gambles, Town and Outreach Coordinator said of the event: “The mini Eisteddfod has been a huge success at Berwyn Prison and I am honoured to have been on the judging panel.”

“The key message of the Llangollen Musical Eisteddfod is to promote peace and harmony within communities. These outreach schemes offer people who do not have the opportunity to attend the festival a chance to enjoy performances from international guests.”