Every year over 120,000 people flock to the small North Wales town of Llangollen from all corners of the globe for the International eistedfodd, many top artists performed in 2010. This is your chance to simply experience the colourful spectacle of this unique festival. The first International Eisteddfod was held in 1947 and was, largely, the vision of two remarkable men - Harold Tudor a journalist with the Liverpool Daily Post and Mr. W.S. Gwynn Williams, a native of Llangollen and a distinguished musician.

Over the years Llangollen has gone from strength to strength and in 2004 the event was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. By now it is famous throughout the world for celebrating and showcasing nearly every aspect of the performing arts from folk dance and choirs through to dancers, musicians and singers. Some of these performers enter into formal competition ( one of Luciano Pavarotti’s first performances was in competition at Llangollen ) whilst others simply perform for the sheer joy of it - their performances often spilling out onto the streets of Llangollen itself creating a vibrant and totally unique atmosphere.

Since 1952, the young people of Llangollen have presented a Message of Peace and Goodwill from the stage of the Eisteddfod. Until recently the message - different each year but always with the same theme - was given individually by schoolchildren of the town but in recent a new policy of involving a whole school and indeed, groups of schools has proved effective and rewarding for both the participants the audience. 

In addition to the competitive elements of the Eisteddfod there are also evening concerts and these attract high-calibre international artists. In the past Llangollen has seen concerts by the likes of Dame Shirley Bassey, Elaine Paige, Placido Domingo and also Katherine Jenkins, who returned to Llangollen this year for the Opening Monday Night Gala Concert.

Llangollen Festival 2010 continued this proud tradition of music and universal harmony and their star line up included some of the biggest names in the music industry including international superstar Katherine Jenkins, Karl Jenkins OBE, Only Men Aloud, Llŷr Williams, Bond and the one and only…Nigel Kennedy! So this Eisteddfod celebrated the classical, the contemporary, the traditional, the sexy…and, as ever in Llangollen- the unexpected!

Stars don’t come much bigger, or much brighter, than Katherine Jenkins who graced the Llangollen stage on Monday July 5th. Katherine Jenkins has performed for The Queen, The Pope and the Prime Minister and has since stunned audiences around the world cementing her status in the classical crossover field…and now she’s on her way to Llangollen! ‘I was lucky enough to have been invited to sing at the National Eisteddfod in 2006 and, of course, in Llangollen International Festival in the same year. Now I am truly honoured to be invited back to perform at the Opening Gala Concert for this year’s Llangollen festival’, Katherine Jenkins.

Virtuoso violinist Nigel Kennedy raised the roof and bring the 2010 Festival to a close on the final Sunday with a stunning crescendo! Nigel first played at the Festival in 1998 and it clearly left a big impression on him: “Apart from Aston Villa winning the Premiership I really can’t think of many things that could give me as much pleasure as walking out on that huge Llangollen stage and being greeted by the unmistakable Welsh welcome! Last time I performed here was a blast and I thought to myself I must return as soon as possible, so here I am!”

Karl Jenkins OBE is one of Wales’s most distinguished composers and musicians- his works and performances having encompassed classical, jazz and rock- and this year, in a special concert on the Tuesday night, he conducted his own Mass for Peace with a ‘Wales and the World’ choir.

Llangollen’s magic never ceases to cast its spell on audiences and artists alike, as Llangollen’s president Terry Waite is well aware. “Wales is often thought of as the land of music as indeed it is”, he says. “Given this fact, the country has a unique role to play in working for international peace and harmony. Music, I believe, is a fundamental force for good in the world and the spirit of this beneficial quality is exemplified every year in the Llangollen Festival - which is why, of course, I am so proud to be the festival’s President”.

Magical, exuberant and vibrant, in 2010 Llangollen goes from from strength to strength. First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones said: “Llangollen is well regarded throughout the world. For more than sixty years, musicians and dancers have flocked here from all four corners of the globe to compete and to create a superb atmosphere of peace and harmony”.

“It allways promises to be a musical feast and there’s no excuse for you missing out on the festival vibe”, says Festival Director Mervyn Cousins. “It was the best Llangollen yet!”

· The International Eisteddfod provides a platform for people of all nations to meet and communicate through the international languages of music and dance, thereby promoting peace, harmony and a greater understanding of world culture.

· The International Eisteddfod’s Patron is H.R.H. Prince Charles and Terry Waite CBE is the current President.

· Many of the world’s greatest stars have sung at Llangollen with some beginning their careers on the North Wales stage.