Editing Llangollen International Eisteddfod Music Festival

The first ever international music festival to be held in Wales was held in 1947 by Harold Tudor, an officer of the British Council. A few years prior, Harold invited several members of governments' in-exile to attend a music and arts event in Bangor, Wales. Tudor was inspired by the success of the visit and the positive reception it gained, as illustrated to him by a letter he received from one of the attendees appreciating the way in which music can alleviate the effects of war. The 1947 International Eisteddfod was unanimously heralded as a great success with several acts from all over the globe performing and competing together. A poignant moment in the festival's history occurred in 1949, just four years after the end of the war, when a German choir took part in the festival. The choir was introduced to the stage by the compère as 'our friends from West Germany' and received a warm reception and a rapturous applause from the audience. To this day Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod continues to showcase talent from all over the world. The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod acts as platform of cultural exchange in which participants and audience members can share in the joy of an international celebration of music and dance. By easing cross-cultural tensions it has proved to be successful in its mission to promote peace.