FURTHER STATEMENT FROM LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL EISTEDDFOD

Further to their statement eaelier tonight about the "extraordinary medical emergency" that led to the cancellation of tonight's Pavilion concert, Llangollen International Eisteddfod has issued a further statement:

It reads: "Further to the previous statement, we can confirm that following the declaration of an extraordinary incident by the Welsh Ambulance Service, following Public Health Wales advice - the incident related to a flu-like outbreak and related to multiple people with similar symptoms. The extraordinary incident was called by the Welsh Ambulance Service due to the number of people who presented ill at one time.

"The Llangollen International Eisteddfod takes the safety of its audience, competitors, performers and volunteers extremely seriously. Therefore, following advice - we were forced to cancel an event in this way for the first time in our history.

"We are pleased to report our site has been cleared to reopen tomorrow at 9am, as we continue to welcome the world to Wales. We'd like to thank our staff, medical staff and our volunteers for their swift response this evening."

'Extraordinary medical incident' leads to cancellation of Eisteddfod evening concert

Llangollen International Eisteddfod has just issued a statement about the incident which occurred there earlier this evening.

"Due to an extraordinary medical incident - tonight's event has been cancelled.

"We want to thank our own medical teams who are managing the extraordinary medical incident

"We are working with the Ambulance services and medical teams managing the incident giving them the support necessary.

"The Llangollen International Eisteddfod intends lo run as normal from 9am tomorrow, but this will be based on the expert medical advice we receive.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused."

The concert was to have been Uniting Nations: One World - A Once-in-a-Lifetime Celebration and Call for Peace.

Renowned Welsh composer Sir Karl Jenkins was to have led an international massed choir and orchestra in the performance – a symphonic vision of a better future, where human rights are universal, nature is cherished, and harmony prevails across nations.

Hundreds turn out under a blazing sun to see red-hot Eisteddfod parade

Hundreds waited in the blazing afternoon sun to see the red-hot 2025 Llangollen International Eisteddfod opening parade make its way through the town centre earlier this afternoon (Wednesday).

Flags of the many nations competing in this year's festival were proudly on show as competitors and Eisteddfod staff waved, sang and blew kisses at the crowd lining the route which took them on a circuit of the town centre and back to the field where they started.

* Crowds wait for the parade to go by on Castle Street.

Wednesday action in pictures from the Eisteddfod

Here's a round-up of the action on the field - where it was children's day - and in the town from today at Llangollen International Eisteddfod 2025:

* The Los Angeles Children's Choir sing on Centenary Square.

* The group Ruang Karya from Indonesia perform on the Globe Stage on the field.

* Queuing for a snack on children's day.

* Youngsters enjoy a performance on the Oakleigh Stage.

* A group having fun with bubbles.

* The Mushroom Man shows of his wood working skills.

* Staff busy with visitors at the information centre.

* Plas Taf school choir from Cardiff are interviewed for ITV Wales.

Fundraiser set up for family of dad who died aged 41, says story

A FUNDRAISER has been set up to help support the family of a Llangollen dad who has died, aged 41.

* For the full story on Leaderlive, go to: Llangollen: Fundraiser for family of dad-of-8 who has died | The Leader 

Wednesday at Llangollen International Eisteddfod

* The big parade takes place at 4.30pm around the town.

It’s Day 2 of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod 2025 – and it’s set to be an action-packed time at the festival.

Gates open at 9am for what is expected to be one of the busiest days of this year’s event – in the Pavilion, on the field, and across Llangollen. 

Over 4,000 competitors from around the world begin their competitions. Highlights include the Parade of Nations, the Peace Lecture, Community Rhythms and Roots Wales, and an incredible evening concert to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.

Tonight's evening concert – Uniting Nations: One World promises to be an extraordinary celebration of music, unity and hope, as the legendary Sir Karl Jenkins conducts his powerful masterpiece One World live on stage. This landmark event brings together voices from across the globe to celebrate peace, harmony, and the universal language of music.

* The Peace Lecture with Derek Walker is at 1.15pm in the Pavilion.

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DAY 2 HIGHLIGHTS

Competitions in the Pavilion today:

• Senior Children’s Choir
• Children’s Open Choir
• Academi Heddwch Peace Talk with Derek Walker
• Children’s Traditional Group Folk Dance
• Junior Children’s Choir
• Young Choir of the World – winner announced!

12 noon: The Peace Message will be delivered by Ysgol Bryn Coch in the Pavilion.

1pm: Recitals at St Collen’s Church featuring Akademisk Kor Århus (Denmark) and Bob Cole Conservatory Chamber Choir (USA).

1.15pm: Academi Heddwch Peace Lecture with Derek Walker.
Join Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, as he reflects on the role of Cymru in promoting peace.

12–4pm: Community Rhythms and Roots Wales – a vibrant showcase of six multicultural and multilingual community groups based in Wales, sharing performances inspired by their own creative traditions and the Eisteddfod’s themes of peace and friendship.

4.30–5.30pm: With over 4,000 competitors from 35 countries taking part in our annual parade, expect a sea of colour and vibrancy. Follow the samba band back to the Eisteddfod site and enjoy live entertainment on our outdoor stages. Entry to the grounds is just £1 during this time. Don’t miss The Gathering – a celebration of dance and culture featuring international and UK participants.

7.30-10.30pm: Uniting Nations: One World

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Celebration and Call for Peace

* Sir Karl Jenkins conducts at Uniting Nations: One World in the Pavilion at 7.30pm.

This concert is more than just music. The P5 Peace Child premiere brings together young artists from the five Permanent Members of the UN Security Council (UK, USA, China, France and Russia) to co-create a powerful call for unity and peaceful collaboration – focusing on global existential threats such as climate change, which the UN must address in the decades ahead. The survival of future generations depends on it. In partnership with Peace Child International.

Sir Karl Jenkins Conducts His Masterpiece

Renowned for breathtaking works such as Adiemus and The Armed Man, Sir Karl Jenkins leads an international massed choir and orchestra in a performance of One World – a symphonic vision of a better future, where human rights are universal, nature is cherished, and harmony prevails across nations.

There are dozens more activities on the Eisteddfod Field including dozens of events on outside stages including live music, poetry, crafts, food from around the world and much, much more.

* For daytime and evening concert tickets, go to llangollen.net

Stirring concert featuring Hans Zimmer’s work is perfect prelude to 2025 Eisteddfod

 

* Anthony Gabriele conducts the Cinematic Orchestra. Pictures: THOMAS CUSWORTH / LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL EISTEDDFOD.

An enthralled Pavilion audience was treated to a glittering concert featuring some of the most unforgettable movie scores of all time by German master composer Hans Zimmer which provided the perfect prelude to the 2025 Llangollen International Eisteddfod last night (Tuesday).

A world-class orchestra under the baton of internationally acclaimed conductor Anthony Gabriele presented “Beyond Time: The Music of Hans Zimmer in Concert” on the first night of the festival which runs from July 8-13.

The audience delighted to a programme of music made famous by a man with over 150 movie scores to his credit, including the powerful and moving backdrops to a host of the biggest blockbusters which have brought Zimmer two Academy Awards, two BAFTAs and five Grammy Awards plus a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

* The orchestra and conductor take a bow at the end of the night.

The evening’s conductor, Anthony Gabriele, who has led orchestras all over the world, wielded the baton over the 70-piece Cinematic Orchestra which stormed ahead with some powerful scores such as the Theme from Backdraft, Suite from The Dark Knight, Tennessee from Pearl Harbour, the Suite from The Last Samurai, the End Titles from Driving Miss Daisy and the Suite from Man of Steel, each one reaching new heights of emotional stimulation.

After the break the audience returned to hear more exhilarating musical masterpieces including Discombobulate from Sherlock Holmes, Chavaliers De Sangreal from The Da Vinci Code, the Suite from Wonder Woman, Hero from Kung Fu Panda and rounding off with the blood-stirring Suite from Gladiator.

The audience were on their feet as the concert finished with a rousing rendition of the theme from Pirates of the Caribbean.

* Actor Mark Lewis Jones narrates.

Weaving the programme seamlessly together as he delivered the narration for the evening was acclaimed Rhosllanerchrugog-born film and TV actor Mark Lewis Jones.

Dave Danford, Artistic Director of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, said: “Tonight was a fantastic opening to our 2025 Eisteddfod, celebrating one of the world’s greatest film composers of all time. I was delighted that Mark Lewis Jones agreed to come and present it for us, and I’m very grateful to Anthony Gabriele for bringing his enthusiasm and first-class musicianship to the stage.

“This is just the first concert in a very exciting week, and we continue tomorrow evening with a truly international celebration of the United Nations, featuring Sir Karl Jenkins, which will follow our first day of competitions in the pavilion.”

Eisteddfod week evening concerts continue with:

* Wednesday July 9: Uniting Nations: One World featuring Sir Karl Jenkins

* Thursday July 10: KT Tunstall with the Absolute Orchestra

* Friday July 11: Il Divo with special guest Laura Wright

* Saturday July 12: Choir of the World with special guest Lucie Jones

* Sunday July 13: Bryn Terfel: Sea Songs with special guests Fisherman’s Friends and Eve Goodman