Martyn Jones

Labour Party | Clwyd South

Eisteddfod Launch Kicks Off In London Amid A Host Of Celebrities

Martyn Jones, MP for the Llangollen area joined both Lesley Garrett and Sir Willard White today at the British Council in London to publicly launch the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.

Now in it’s 59th year, the Eisteddfod is stronger than ever following it’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.  Lesley Garrett and Sir Willard White will both perform at the event this July and the spectacle is expected to be a huge success once again with over 53 countries represented. 

A persistent problem that the organisers are confronted with is the difficult visa application process that potential performers face.  The wider success of the Eisteddfod is sometimes overlooked by the Foreign and Commonwealth office as asylum regulations are tightened.  Mr. Jones today offered his complete support for the visa applications and has vowed to do everything in his power to aid such requests that often run into difficulty. 

Mr. Jones also took the chance today to talk to Leslie Garrett and Sir Willard White who both shared his sense of pride for being involved with an event of such enormity and rich history.

The festival’s nomination for the Nobel peace prize  is a demonstration of what the festival has done for World peace, playing a pivotal role in repairing the wounds resonant after the end of the second world war. 

Commenting on today’s events, Mr. Jones said:

“It is heartening to see such big names involving themselves in the Llangollen Eisteddfod.  Talking to Ms. Garrett and Sir White today, I was filled with  pride by their comments that demonstrated that Llangollen is truly regarded as the centre of world culture for that very special week in July.  I offer my complete support for it’s promotion to the wider world and will lobby the Foreign and Commonwealth office for each and every visa application that suffers complications – this festival after all builds itself on international foundations.

“The first Eisteddfod took place the year in which I was born.  If I, as a member of parliament had done as much for World Peace as the International Eisteddfod has done since , I would certainly demand the Nobel Peace prize!  It’s achievement last year in reaching the top ten in the nomination procedure from a host of 194 submissions is a clear demonstration of the respect the world has for our festival – I applaud all the volunteers who have already offered their services this year and am personally looking forward to some great performances!.”