This year the Welsh of the North American community will celebrate the 85th National GymanfaGanu. Started in 1929, the gymanfaganu has turned into a 4 day event, celebrating Wales in North America. The festival is held over Labor Day weekend (the weekend before the first Monday in September) as it’s a national holiday both in the United States and Canada and the location alternates between cities in both countries.
This year for the first time, the festival will be held in Calgary, Alberta, the gateway to the Canadian Rockies. The festival will take place at the four star Westin Hotel in downtown Calgary with several events to be held at the nearby Knox United Church. Sponsored by the Welsh North American Association and hosted by the Calgary Welsh Society, celebrating its 100th anniversary, a big Canadian Croeso awaits you!
The full 4 day program starts on Thursday, Sept 1. with an all day tour to an UNESCO First Nations site and a workshop marking the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster. The Opening Ceremony will tell the history of Calgary and include a first nation’s hoop dancer. Pan-Celtic folk band, Iona will perform at the Opening Concert on Thursday evening.
During the day on Friday and Saturday, attendees will have the chance to hear seminars given on a variety of topics including Welsh language, the Great Little Trains of Wales, the bid for the slate industry to receive UNESCO World Heritage Status, the Welsh and the Cherokee, the Pine Marten Recovery project, the History of the Welsh in Canada, the life of explorer David Thomson and much more.
BBC Presenter Iolo Williams will talk about Wild life in Wales and Welsh folk pair Deuair will educate on the history of the medieval harp. They will also give a day-time performance and host a NosonLawen. Thanks to a scholarship from the National Welsh-American Foundation, 2015 National Eisteddfod winner Robert Lewis will perform at the Awards Banquet on Friday evening. This year’s recipient of the Heritage Medallion is Morriston native and Canadian mining mogul Grenville Thomas.
The festival is honored to have CorMeibion Colwyn perform Saturday evening at the festival’s ‘Grand Concert’ and the choir will be joined by soloist Edith Pritchard. The festival ends Sunday, following the 85th National GymanfaGanu, directed by Tudur Eames, also musical director of CorMeibion Colwyn.
You may wish to take advantage of being so close to the Rocky Mountains and extend your stay. You can do this on your own or for those who are interested, they can sign-up for an add on 2 night tour to Banff and Lake Louise through the festival. Full festival details, ticketing and pricing can be found online at www.nafow.org. Hotel reservations can also be made by visiting the festival website and rooms are available at the group discounted rate of $125 CAD a night!!
Come explore Canada, celebrate being Welsh and have fun!
Questions can be directed to Megan Williams, Executive Secretary IHQ@thewnaa.org
Megan Williams
