Mervyn Cousins, Executive Director, comments on excellent ticket sales for next week's Festival:
 
“We are delighted that compared to this time last year we have sold more tickets for 2009. Festivals such as Llangollen are vulnerable during the much discussed ‘Credit Crunch’ but this year we have confidently added an extra gala concert and a full day of activities on the Sunday, and our ticket sales are still positive. We offer the best competitions in the world, wonderful concert artists in the most glorious setting. There has been a steady stream of people coming to the Box Office and we hope the phones will continue to be busy to help us make Llangollen 2009 a sell-out, wouldn’t that be great news in this economic climate. For those of you who haven’t yet been to the Festival, now is the time!”
 
Terry Waite CBE, President of the Llangollen Festival, said: “Llangollen brings together the cultures and peoples of the world in a unique celebration of music and dance, and if you haven’t experienced it before you really have missed something special.  Competitors come to perform not necessarily in unison but definitely in harmony; and my wish is that more and more people will come to Llangollen to see that a real difference can be made in the world through the actions, commitment and the festival programme of a small town in North Wales.”

Stifyn Parri of Mr. Producer: “As a local man I am proud to see that Llangollen Festival is bigger and better than ever ... and this despite the credit crunch. We look forward to welcoming more locals this year  - because the ‘staycation’ is the new vacation. Rather than going abroad the people of Wales will be letting 'abroad' come to them, as over 50 countries partake in this phenomenal event in the most beautiful location. I look forward to seeing you there!”

NEW this year: ‘Tree of Peace’ : Wednesday 8th July:

10:00am - Launch of the ‘Tree of Peace’ (opposite the Floral Tent).

To celebrate the founding vision of the Festival, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will launch the Tree of Peace where people can, in exchange for a small donation, dedicate their own messages to the concept of peace thereby ensuring that the founders’ vision is safeguarded for future generations. Virgina Barrett will be performing her song ‘One Voice’, composed especially about the Eisteddfod’s involvement with peace. The launch will also be attended by some of the Officers of the Eisteddfod.

The Tree of Peace will allow people, for a donation of anything from 50 pence upwards, to capture a message for peace that will be pinned on the tree. These messages will then be collected at the end of the Festival and recorded in a booklet available for people to purchase and be inspired.

Proceeds from the Tree of Peace will allow Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod to continue its work in bringing the nations of the world together and to be a beacon for peace.

The tree has been designed and built by Bob Attenburrow, celebrating 49 years on the Board of the Eisteddfod.

Also NEW this year: ‘Sound of Silence’ : Thursday 9th July:

As part of ‘One World, One Vision, One Youth’ on International Youth Day, celebrating the best of Youth from around the world, and sharing the vision of a world connected through music and dance, comes a new and exciting addition to the Festival this year ‘Sound of Silence’.

11:50am - ‘Sound of Silence’ – (Outside the Pavilion)
‘Sound of Silence’ will be a main feature of International Youth Day and of particular interest for its strong visual symbolic message. All children from each participating nation will encircle the main pavilion and link arms for a minute’s silence, sending out a powerful message of peace and solidarity to the world.

Preceding ‘Sound of Silence’, Alex Pasley, a Year 11 pupil from Dinas Bran School will be reading his winning Peace Message entitled "A Beautiful, Brilliant Word". Alex will be officially acknowledged on the Eisteddfod stage by Terry Waite CBE, who is currently President of the Eisteddfod.

Celebrity performers comment on Llangollen Festival:

Sian Lloyd: “Through my travel writing I have visited some of the most beautiful places in the world but can honestly say that Llangollen is up there with the best of them; the area has such an outstanding natural beauty. I’m particularly thrilled to be an Ambassador for the Llangollen International Eisteddfod this year which attracts so many people from across the globe to visit this beautiful part of Wales”.

Barbara Dickson: “I haven’t performed in North Wales for some time so am looking forward to visiting Llangollen. It’s a beautiful, cultural area and to be part of a festival that celebrates music internationally is very exciting.  As a Celt, music has always been fundamental to me and therefore I’m delighted to be singing in the Land of Song once more”.

Sir Willard White: “As Vice President of the Llangollen Festival I am looking forward very much to returning to this fantastic music extravaganza. I know I'll get a fantastic Welsh and international welcome in this beautiful part of North Wales. I am amazed at the diversity of the performers and competitors who travel from all over the world to perform at the Eisteddfod. My tribute to Paul Robeson on the Thursday night of the Festival is a labour of love, and I do hope that the audience will enjoy themselves as much as I have enjoyed putting the concert together”.

Faryl Smith: “I’m really looking forward to going back to Llangollen, I have great memories of competing at the Eisteddfod, it was my first taste of performing on an international stage and gave me the confidence to follow my dream”.....“I’m so excited, I’m following in the footsteps of my heroes Pavarotti, Domingo and Katherine Jenkins. To be singing at the opening concert at Llangollen is a dream come true!”

Mark Evans: “To be asked to sing at an international festival that happens to be so close to home is such an honour and music to my ears”. 

Brian Kay: “There's nothing remotely like the Eisteddfod: after being proudly involved for nearly 30 years as television presenter and stage presenter of this unique annual event, and indeed, President of the Friends for a time and still a Vice President of the Eisteddfod, it's hard to remember a time when Llangollen was not writ large in my life. The tireless efforts of so many willing people continue to make it an absolute highlight of the year for so many, and certainly for me. Thanks, and roll on July!”
 
Blake: “Congratulations to Llangollen on being awarded the ‘Inspire Mark’, we’re proud to be associated with the Festival as they receive this very special accolade and that we will be part of the ‘All the World, One Smile’ project on the day now too”.