Eisteddfod's opening day has a powerful message for the world

* Leri Roberts delivers the Peace Message from the main pavilion stage.

The traditional Peace Message delivered this morning (Thursday) on the opening day of the 75^th Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has never been more relevant than it is today with the ongoing war in Ukraine, according to a Welsh Government Minister.

Dawn Bowden, Deputy Minister for the Arts and Sport, was special guest at Llangollen Pavilion where she joined a packed audience of hundreds of schoolchildren from across north Wales listening intently to the Peace Message being delivered by young Leri Roberts from the main stage.

* Eisteddfod chairman Dr Rhys Davies with Deputy Minister for the Arts and Sport Dawn Bowden.

The poignant words were written for the occasion by staunch Eisteddfod supporter Christine Dukes and were inspired by climate change activist Greta Thunberg.

They urged young people of the world to “stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder and heart to heart” to help the world find peace.

After hearing it read out the Minister commented: “The Peace Message was amazing and it was explained to me how it has developed over the years since the first Eisteddfod at Llangollen in 1947.

* A Serbian band delight the Children's Day audience. 

“It has never been more relevant than it is today, with what’s going on in Europe now with Ukraine. It was quite amazing.”

She added: “This is my first time in Llangollen and at the Eisteddfod since I was appointed last year.

“Being Minister gives me the opportunity to see so many cultural organisations, particularly those which have had Welsh Government support, like the Eisteddfod.

“It’s been an absolutely fantastic visit. I have seen a couple of performances already and will be talking to some of those involved in the Eisteddfod during a walk-around when I will also meet some of the performers.”

* The Mushroom Man with his carved creations was a top crowd-puller.

Due to the pandemic this was the first fully live Llangollen Eisteddfod held since 2019 and, as usual for the opening, it was Children’s Day which saw hordes of young visitors taking the chance to enjoy themselves on the various attractions dotted around the field.

Venues across town were used for other Eisteddfod events, including the preliminary rounds of a number of competitions whose finals will be held on the main pavilion stage over the next few days.

* A red dragon mascot greets young visitors to the field.

A number of choirs due to compete will perform in St Collen's Church and the first of these was the Palmdale High School Choral Union from California.

* Entertainer Bill Brookman's stand was another popular stop-off point.

* Shea Ferron, dashed from the Town Hall where he had been competing in the opening rounds of the musical theatre competition, to take to the music stage on the field in his other role as children's entertainer. He is seen, centre, MCing a dance-off between two visiting teachers. Miss Dodd's on the right was the winner.

* Local singer Cassius Hackforth competes in the preliminary round of the musical theatre competition at the Town Hall.

* Palmdale High School Choral Union from California sing at St Collen's Church.

* For more on Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and its competitions and concerts as well as how to get to it and where to stay go to http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/ or check out https://www.facebook.com/llangollen