Eisteddfod means fresh start for Ukrainian soprano after Russian invasion

 

*Soprano Khrystyna Makar. Picture by Rick Matthews.

A talented classical singer from Ukraine whose life was ripped apart by the Russian invasion is hoping to reignite her career at prestigious competition in North Wales.

Soprano Khrystyna Makar is among 25 singers from around the world who will be vying to become the Pendine International Voice of the Future at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in July.

She fled her war-torn homeland with her two young sons, Denys, now 20, and Lukian, 15, in 2022, leaving her husband, Volodimir, and her parents in their home city of Lviv.

Khrystyna, who lives in Shotton in Flintshire, will be up against contestants from the USA, China, and South Africa as well as Wales and England.

Once again the blue riband competition is being sponsored by the arts-loving care organisation, Pendine Park, via the Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT) which supports cultural and community initiatives across Wales.

 

The winner of will be presented with the Pendine Trophy by opera star Sir Bryn Terfel, along with a cheque for £3,000 while the runner up will receive £1,000.

 

But first the competitors will have to navigate a preliminary round and a semi-final before the final two take part in a sing off as part of the Eisteddfod’s final concert on Sunday evening, July 13.

It’s taking place on the same night as a concert by Sir Bryn who’ll be performing all the songs from his latest album, Sea Songs, and will be joined by The Fisherman's Friends, the acclaimed folk group from Port Isaac, Cornwall, and Welsh folk singer Eve Goodman.

Before Vladimir Putin’s 2022 invasion Khrystyna was a successful classical singer who had performed all over her native country and in Europe at concert halls in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Scandinavia.

Since arriving in the UK when she lived first in Llangrannog, in Ceredigion, and then Aberystwyth before settling in Shotton, Khrystyna has tried to keep her musical career on track although it has been difficult and she hopes the exposure of competing at Llangollen will help.

Khrystyna hopes the event can boost her singing opportunities in the UK and in the meantime she makes trips home to see her husband and family.

She is just back from a visit which coincided with a deadly Russian missile strike on an apartment block in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.

Twelve people were killed in the attack and over 80 injured and Khrystyna said: “It’s difficult but people still try to keep going.

“It was Easter so we were able to celebrate together with my husband and my parents – we don’t lose our traditions even in these times.

“Lviv is in the west of the country so it’s quite far from the war but sometimes missiles come down there. Everywhere is dangerous but people are still trying to build their lives.

“Being separated from your family is difficult but you have to be strong.

“We are a very friendly people and we’re very grateful for the support we have had from the people in Wales and England.”

The ongoing success of the competition is music to the ears of Pendine Park proprietor Mario Kreft MBE and his wife, Gill, who came up with the idea in 2013 and have seen it become a fixture of the Eisteddfod programme.

The 2025 competition is all the more special to the couple because Pendine is celebrating its 40^th anniversary this year.

Mario said: "The standard of the competitors in years past has been absolutely phenomenal and I have no doubt it will be just as incredibly high again this year.

“As well has having the opportunity to showcase their talent an added bonus for the competitors this year will be the thrill of appearing on the same stage as Sir Bryn Terfel, a true giant of the opera world.”

Llangollen Eisteddfod’s artistic director, Dave Danford, said: “This is one of the most important competitions of the Eisteddfod and people come here because they could be watching someone who will become a household name.

“For the competitors the chance to share a stage with Sir Bryn Terfel is just wonderful – it’s a prize in itself.

“Mario and Gill Kreft have been very good friends to the Eisteddfod over many years and we are very grateful to them.

“Two previous winners, Eirlys Myfanwy Davies, from Pembrokeshire, who won in 2017 and Shimona Rose, who won in 2024, will be featured soloists on Wednesday, July 9, at the Karl Jenkins concert to mark the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations which will feature a performance of his ‘One World’ by an international massed choir of voices.”

Sir Bryn Terfel added: ”The Pendine International Voice of the Future competition is a wonderful opportunity for talented young singers to make a mark and it can provide a real launchpad for fledgling careers onto the global stage.”

* For more information about this year’s Llangollen International Eisteddfod go to https://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/

Curtain set to rise again on town's New Dot Cinema

* The New Dot revival team discuss the return of Llangollen's community cinema.

The team of enthusiasts behind a revival of the town's own community cinema have sent llanblogger this update on their progress ...

"You may have heard a few whispers around town that New Dot Cinema is opening its doors again. Meetings have been taking place at Llangollen Town Hall to plan the return of the popular community cinema, which will offer a familiar and comfortable atmosphere, exciting cinematic experiences and maybe even some surprises.

"The reinvigorated interest in New Dot Cinema has attracted the attention of many locals who are keen to volunteer and who bring their different experiences of films, web design and knowledge of events to the table. 

"They are discussing creative and engaging ways to engage the community and breathe life back into the cinema. If you’re interested in joining us, we would love to discuss your experiences and any help that you could offer New Dot Cinema. Please email newdotcineam@gmail.com to find out more. We would love to discuss your interests and any ways in which you could help out with the cinema.

"We are also in the process of choosing a variety of films that we hope will resonate with the community. There are lots of exciting events happening this summer in Llangollen and the New Dot Cinema team are ready to join in the mix, with their first film screening being Friday 25th July – keep your eyes peeled as we will start to share clues about the first film soon.

"The relaunch of New Dot has been driven by cinema enthusiast and local resident Olivia Brown, aged 23, who studied Film and Theatre Makeup Artistry in Coleg Cambria. She said: “I wanted to see the return of New Dot Cinema to Llangollen, so that I and others, could enjoy watching movies on the big screen, with friends and family, within walking distance of home.”

Heulwen Wright, Deputy Town Clerk, said: “Llangollen Town Council is delighted to see New Dot Cinema returning to the Town Hall. The previous screenings were highly atmospheric and having the big screen and technology that New Dot and Llangollen Town Council have invested in make the venue an ideal location for a Community Cinema. Its return will be wonderful for the Llangollen Community and visitors alike.”

Ysgol Bryn Collen’s special efforts raise £5,618 for Hope House

* Bryn Collen children spell it out on the school playground.

The final total from Ysgol Bryn Collen’s sponsored walk and colour run in aid of Hope House Hospices has now been revealed as £5,618.

Last month the whole school took part in the events in memory of Vicky Jones who was a parent, governor and vice chair of the school's PTFA. 

Year 5/6 walked around Llangollen, Year 3/4 did loops of Plas Newydd, the infants walked around Pen y Coed Woods and then nursery walked around the school field .

The PTFA completed the colour run in the afternoon for the whole school. 

The school has thanked everyone who took part or contributed.

Police witness appeal after road collision near Llangollen

North Wales Police Wrexham Rural has launched a witness Appeal following a Road Traffic Collision not far away from Llangollen.

On its Facebook page it says: "Officers are appealing for witnesses in relation to an Road Traffic Collision between a silver car and a cyclist.

"The incident occurred on SATURDAY the 3rd of MAY at 11:30am on Llangollen Road, just off the Ruabon Roundabout.

"The vehicle did not wait at the scene, and we are keen to speak with anyone who may have seen the collision, the vehicle involved, or has dashcam footage from the area at the time.

"If you have any information, please contact us on 101 quoting reference 25000366308.

"Your information could help our investigation."

Llangollen's VE Day 80th party goes with a swing

* A couple get into the swing of things on the dance floor.

A two-day programme of events for Llangollen's celebration of the 80^th anniversary of VE Day started with a swing yesterday (Monday). 

The Bank Holiday and this Thursday (May 8) will see community-based celebrations across the UK to celebrate the landmark anniversary of the day the war in Europe ended in 1945.   

In Llangollen the town council has arranged a full package of events to mark the occasion in style, all centred on the Town Hall and nearby Centenary Square. 

Yesterday at 9.30am the flag was raised in the square as town crier Chem proclaimed that the celebrations were officially underway. 

In the town hall scores of people turned up to enjoy a free VE Day party with performances by a wide range of local groups such as Llangollen Silver Band and The Melodics Choir, dancers Valentine and Karen Lyon and solo singers Charlie Jones and Phil Robinson. 

Throughout the day wartime archive video and photographs were shown on a big screen while schoolchildren from Bryn Collen and Y Gwernant were shown in a film singing a wartime era song. 

There were stands manned by local organisations such as Llangollen International Eisteddfod, Dementia and the local branch of the Royal British Legion.

Complimentary teas, coffees, and cakes were served throughout the day and the event closed with a powerful performance by North Wales Opera who are currently rehearsing in the town hall for their Opera Cavalleria Rusticana and Paglicci, and the group’s Eve Callahan sang a VE-Day song. 

The  day's events were filmed by a crew from GB News with a number of live sequences from Llangollen being screened nationally throughout the day. 

Celebrations continue on the evening of Thursday May 8 when church bells will ring out at 6.30 and the Royal British Legion will lead a short commemoration on the Town Square followed by the lighting up of the Town Hall in symbolic red, white and blue by the mayor. 

* The VE Day flag is raised in Centenary Square as town crier Chem reads the proclamation to start the day's events.  

* The Silver Band plays to start the Town Hall party.

* The Karen Lyon dance group take the floor.

* Town Mayor, Aled Morris, joins in the dance action.

* The Julie Thomas dance group go through their paces.

* The Melodics in fine voice.

* North Wales Opera Studio's Eve Callaghan takes the applause after her solo singing performance.

* The North Wales Opera Studio chorus sing a selection from their forthcoming production.

  * The GB News film crew capture the day's action.

Events to mark VE Day 80th anniversary begin this morning

A special two-day programme of events for Llangollen's celebration of the 80^th anniversary of VE Day begins this morning (Monday). 

Both today's Bank Holiday (May 5) and this Thursday (May 8) will see community-based celebrations across the UK to celebrate the landmark anniversary of VE Day.   

In Llangollen the town council has arranged a full package of events to mark the occasion in style, all centred on the Town Hall and nearby Centenary Square. 

This morning at 9.30am the flag will be raised in the square as town crier Chem proclaims that the festivities to be officially underway. 

In the town hall there will be a free event with performances by a wide range of local groups such as Llangollen Silver Band and The Melodics Choir, dancers Valentine and Karen Lyon and solo singers Charlie Jones and Phil Robinson. 

Throughout the day wartime archive video and photographs will be shown on a big screen while schoolchildren from Bryn Collen and Y Gwernant will make VE Day decorations to deck out the hall. 

There will be stands by local organisations such as Llangollen International Eisteddfod, Dementia Friends, Friends of Llangollen Health Centre, Llangollen Food Share and the local branch of the Royal British Legion for which donations will be accepted.

Complimentary teas, coffees, and cakes will be served throughout the day and the event will come to a close with a performance by North Wales Opera who are currently rehearsing in the town hall for their Opera Cavalleria Rusticana, and the group’s Eve Callahan will sing a VE-Day song.  

Celebrations continue on the evening of Thursday May 8 when church bells will ring out at 6.30 and the Royal British Legion will lead a short commemoration on the Town Square followed by the lighting up of the Town Hall in symbolic red, white and blue by the mayor. 

History tour showcases Llangollen's rich heritage

Scores of interested history buffs took advantage of Llangollen's first ever Tour Through Time featuring six of the town's historical sites yesterday (Saturday).

The Eisteddfod, the railway, the museum, the old lock up, Plas Newydd and St Collen's Church all took part in the event organised by the recently-formed Our historic Llangollen hanesyddol i bawb, which is a collective of many historic sites and landscapes, heritage experiences and activities in Llangollen and the surrounding Dee Valley. 

All for free and without the need to book, each of the sites laid on expert guided tours which brought their respective histories vividly to life.   

The day started at the Royal International Pavilion at 10.30am and gently wended its way through Llangollen to end at St Collen's at 3.30pm.   

Each site staged its own 45-minute event, with 15 minutes between to allow people to make their way to the next  attraction.  

* Archivist Barrie Potter presents the Eisteddfod's Peace and Music Across the Years at the Royal International Pavilion.

* A selection of vintage Eisteddfod programmes on show at the Pavilion.

* Long-time volunteer Bob Gwynne outlines the rich history of Llangollen Railway at the station presentation.

* A profile of Lt Colonel Charles John Tottenham, a key figure in the development of the railway who had a station built at Berwyn near his home.

* People gather round to hear from Sam Thomson about some of the artefacts held at the museum.

* Sue Hargreaves welcomes visitors to the Heritage Lock Up Centre.

* Kirsty Wild talks people through some of the police and crime related items on display at the Lock Up Centre.

* People gather for the talk about Plas Newydd and its most famous occupants, the Ladies of Llangollen.

* Sue Evans, manager of the St Collen's Genesis Project, introduces visitors to the wonders of the historic parish church.