Calling all people of Welsh descent

And everyone interested in Welsh culture and music

By Alison Lawson

What do you know about the Welsh? Yes, we are a proud nation, speak a different language and love rugby. Daffodils are our national flower and St. David is our patron saint. Did we miss something important? We love to sing hymns in four-part harmony!

If you have Welsh in your ancestry or if you are simply interested in Welsh music and culture, you are in for a real treat. The Ontario Welsh Festival will be held in Ottawa from April 21 to 23. The festival is an annual celebration of Welsh music and culture, drawing visitors from all over Canada, the U.S. and Wales. First held in Niagara Falls in 1961, the festival has travelled throughout the province from Ottawa to Windsor.

We are honoured to have three talented young soloists from Wales, John Ieuan Jones, Steffan Lloyd Owen and Eiry Price together with their renowned accompanist, Rhiannon Pritchard, taking part in a concert at Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday, April 22 at 8 p.m., with tickets ($35) available to the public. It will be a night to remember.

Another highlight of the festival will be traditional hymn singing, known in Welsh as a Gymanfa Ganu, at Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday, April 23 at 12:30 p.m. Free-will offerings will be accepted.

While the concert and hymn singing are open to the public, registration for the festival is encouraged and will let you attend the other cultural events, including the informal talent show known as a Noson Lawen on Friday, April 21, and activities on Saturday, April 22, such as a seminar and Cinema Wales. These events will take place at the Hilton Garden Inn on Queen Street. You don’t have to speak or understand Welsh to enjoy any of this since all events are introduced in English.

Mark the festival on your calendar and join us! Visit ontariowelshfestival.ca or email us at info2023@ontariowelshfestival.ca and a degree as a mas sage therapist from insti tutions in Ukraine. For his part, Valentyn is a student at Immaculata High School. Day by day, our two proteges are becoming more and more part of our community.

Alison Lawson is helping to organize the Ontario Welsh Festival under the auspices of the Ontario Gymanfa Ganu Association.

Since the arrival of our guests, all

Your contribution will allow you to obtain a receipt for income tax purposes thanks to the support of Notre-Dame Cathedral.

The Welcoming Committee for receiving the Ukrainian family is Madeleine Cloutier, Ginette Bocage and Jeanne Charron.

Ontario Welsh Festival

Ottawa, April 21-23, 2023

A weekend celebrating Welsh music and culture

Saturday, April 22, 8pm

Christ Church Cathedral, 414 Sparks St.

“Voices of Wales” Concert

Welcoming award-winning soloists from Wales

John Ieuan Jones Steffan Lloyd Owen Eiry Price

With renowned accompanist Rhiannon

Pritchard

Tickets $40 cash at the door; or $35 in advance from: https://ontariowelshfestivalconcert2023.eventbrite.ca Or e-mail: info2023@ontariowelshfestival.ca

Sunday, April 23

Gymanfa Ganu / Hymn Singing session at 12:30

Christ Church Cathedral free-will offering

Festival information: www.ontariowelshfestival.ca

Sponsored by the Ontario Gymanfa Ganu Association