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Welsh musician invites reflections on Hiroshima 80th anniversary

Published

11 months ago

July 31, 2025

Call for a minute’s silence on National Eisteddfod main stage

TO COINCIDE with the 80th anniversary of the devastating Hiroshima nuclear bombing in 1945, composer Cian Ciarán will debut an audio installation at the ceremonial heart of the National Eisteddfod.

The Super Furry Animals musician has produced a spatial audio experience that invites Wrecsam National Eisteddfod 2025 festivalgoers to contemplate and reflect on the thousands of lives lost to the bomb at the Eisteddfod’s revered Cerrig yr Orsedd ceremonial stones.

Inspired by Cian’s visits to Japan – as well as conversations with survivors of Fukushima and their families – ‘Hibakusha’ is one of the art projects being presented during the Year of Wales and Japan – a year-long celebration of the connections between the two nations.

The soundscape blends Cian’s early childhood memories of growing up in north Wales in the shadow of the Cold War, surrounded by nuclear power stations, with the discovery of life stories of the Hibakusha – people who were directly affected by the bombing – a relative of whom he met with during a visit to Fukushima in 2013. 

Cian’s six-hour installation – reflecting the flight of the Enola Gay aircraft from take-off to releasing the ‘Little Boy’ bomb over the Japanese city – will begin after a minute silence to mark the anniversary and consists of 12 speakers that will surround the stone circle to create a 360-degree audio experience. Following a minute of silence at 12:00, people are invited to spend a minute or more to meditate and to reflect on all those across the world who are suffering / have suffered because of war.

The musician hopes the experience will encourage others to consider the effects of Hiroshima and inspire peace building, echoing the Eisteddfod’s core ceremonial call and response of ‘A Oes Heddwch?’ (‘Is There Peace?’). Participants will also be given a paper crane – symbolic of Sadako Sasaki’s international children’s peace movement – a reminder of the need to actively build peace and, like paper, how brittle it can be. A minute’s silence will also take place at the Eisteddfod to mark the anniversary.

“I think given the current geopolitical political climate it’s more important than ever for us to reflect, and this piece acts as a timely reminder of the catastrophic effects war and conflict can have on people’s lives,” Cian said.

“The Eisteddfod Genedlaethol is symbolic, and it has always offered a space for reflection and peace building. I made the conscious decision not to perform because I want people to focus on the subject, themselves and their experience in the installation.”

The piece is one of more than 20 art projects and collaborations that form the Wales Japan 25 Culture Programme. Led by Wales Arts International, the international agency of Arts Council of Wales, in partnership with Welsh Government and the British Council, the cultural programme is a key element of the Year of Wales and Japan 2025 designed to deepen creative and economic connections between the two countries.

The programme will spotlight the unique creative values shared between Wales and Japan, with a particular focus on cultural wellbeing, sustainability, and indigenous languages. Aligned with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act, the initiative supports creative collaborations rooted in equality, climate action, and community connection.

As part of the National Eisteddfod programme of events, Cian will appear alongside campaigner Catharine Huws Nagashima, a Welsh migrant to Japan, to reflect on the importance of remembrance to build peace. Titled ‘Cofio, Cofio, Cofio’, the pair will speak at the event on stage with Jill Evans, Is-Gadeirydd Academi Heddwch Cymru/ Academi Heddwch Cymru Vice-Chair, Wales’ first “peace institute”.

Jill Evans said: “Hibakusha remembers the thousands killed in Hiroshima and Nagasaki eighty years ago this week. Visitors to the National Eisteddfod will have a chance to think about the terrible and lasting impact of the use of nuclear weapons. In 1982 Wales declared itself nuclear-free and by becoming a Nation of Peace today we could demonstrate our resolve to work towards a peaceful future for all. That is the national conversation we need. In today’s global community this is more important than ever.”

Eluned Hâf, Head of Wales Arts International, said: “The year of Wales and Japan provides our two nations with the opportunity to share reflections and to learn from one another through arts and culture.

“Hibakusha is poignant sonic arts installation inviting visitors to the Eisteddfod a chance to reflect on the awful impact of the Hiroshima nuclear bomb within the peace of the symbolic circle of stones.”

Community

Bongo Clive brings rhythm and smiles to VC Gallery celebration

Published

6 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

LEARNING DISABILITY WEEK MARKED WITH MUSIC, LAUGHTER AND INCLUSION IN PEMBROKE DOCK

THE VC GALLERY in Pembroke Dock was filled with music, laughter and energy as visitors came together to celebrate Learning Disability Week.

The event saw popular entertainer Bongo Clive lead a lively session of singing, drumming and participation, with those attending joining in throughout the day.

The gallery said the session had created a joyful atmosphere, with music helping to bring people together and celebrate inclusion, creativity and wellbeing.

A spokesperson for The VC Gallery said: “The smiles said it all. A huge thank you to Bongo Clive for bringing your incredible energy, enthusiasm and positivity to The VC today. You certainly had everyone moving to the beat.”

Learning Disability Week celebrates inclusion and the abilities, creativity and individuality of people with learning disabilities.

The Pembroke Dock event highlighted the role of community spaces such as The VC Gallery in supporting wellbeing, friendship and confidence through shared creative activities.

Community

Sir Karl Jenkins named Eisteddfod President for 2026

Published

7 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIR KARL JENKINS has been named President of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for 2026.

The internationally acclaimed Welsh composer, one of the world’s most performed living composers, will take on the role as the festival prepares to welcome performers, competitors and visitors from across the globe.

Sir Karl is best known for works including The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, Adiemus and Requiem.

His appointment comes in a landmark year after The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace was voted the most popular work in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026.

Opening night return

Sir Karl’s presidential year will begin with the opening night concert, Uniting Nations: One World, on Tuesday, July 7.

The concert had been due to take place in 2025 but was postponed, causing disappointment for volunteers, performers and audience members who had travelled from across the UK and overseas.

The Eisteddfod has now brought the event back with support from the Arts Council of Wales.

Sir Karl said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the Llangollen Festival this year and especially honoured to do so in the role of President.

“Llangollen is always a very special place to be, with its unique sense of community and international spirit.

“I’m greatly looking forward to conducting my most recent choral work, One World, particularly following the postponement of last year’s performance.

“It’s a piece that I feel reflects the very essence of the festival, bringing together outstanding musicians from across the globe to form one powerful collective voice.”

Global chorus

The evening will feature a full performance of One World, conducted by Sir Karl and performed by an international massed chorus made up of WorldChoir and NEW Voices, accompanied by the Llangollen International Orchestra.

The work blends Jenkins’ distinctive musical style with themes of humanity, compassion and environmental stewardship.

The concert will also include a complete staging of Peace Child: The Musical, which places young people at the heart of its message of peace and global citizenship.

Opening the evening will be the world premiere of Greeting the Dawn, a newly commissioned bilingual work by emerging Welsh composer Sam Buttler.

The piece was written for the 2026 Eisteddfod through the Harmony Without Borders initiative, continuing Llangollen’s tradition of supporting new talent and giving Welsh composers an international platform.

‘Great cultural ambassador’

John Gambles, Chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Sir Karl Jenkins has agreed to serve as President of the Eisteddfod for 2026.

“Few musicians have done more to promote the values of peace, friendship and international understanding that lie at the heart of our festival.

“Sir Karl is one of Wales’s greatest cultural ambassadors and his music has inspired audiences across every continent.

“The fact that The Armed Man has just been voted the nation’s favourite classical work is a testament not only to his extraordinary talent, but also to the universal appeal of the messages of peace, hope and humanity that run through so much of his music.”

Mr Gambles added: “The postponement of One World last year was heartbreaking for everyone involved.

“We knew how much the concert meant to audiences, performers and volunteers alike, and we were determined to find a way to bring it back.

“Thanks to the support of the Arts Council of Wales, we can now finally give this extraordinary concert the audience it deserves.

“With Sir Karl as our President, the return of One World, the world premiere of a major new Welsh composition and the powerful message of Peace Child, this promises to be one of the most memorable and significant opening nights in the Eisteddfod’s history.”

Festival programme

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod returns for its 79th year on Tuesday, July 7.

This year’s programme includes performances from Michael Ball, Emeli Sandé with the Absolute Orchestra, Uniting Nations: One World featuring Sir Karl Jenkins, and the Choir of the World competition.

Thousands of competitors from around the world will also take part in the daytime programme, with the Parade of Nations returning on Friday, July 10.

Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting from £33.

Further information is available at llangollen.net.

Community

Lord Rhys emerges from the mist in St Davids

Published

10 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Giant puppet begins historic journey marking 850 years since the first Eisteddfod

MIST swirled around St Davids Cathedral on Friday evening as a giant Lord Rhys puppet emerged from the fog to begin a journey celebrating 850 years since the first recorded Eisteddfod.

Accompanied by traditional musicians and followed by crowds of spectators, the towering figure cut an imposing sight against the backdrop of the ancient cathedral.

The procession marked the start of Taith yr Arglwydd Rhys (The Journey of Lord Rhys), a cultural pilgrimage retracing the legacy of the Welsh prince whose gathering of poets and musicians at Cardigan Castle in 1176 is widely regarded as the first recorded Eisteddfod.

As fog drifted across the city and church towers faded into the background, the scene felt more like a chapter from Welsh folklore than a modern-day celebration.

The giant puppet, accompanied by fellow performers and musicians, travelled from St Davids Cathedral to Oriel y Parc before beginning a wider journey through west Wales.

The travelling celebration will visit communities across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion before culminating in Cardigan, where Lord Rhys originally staged his famous cultural gathering eight and a half centuries ago.

Video and photographs shared by DrifterStDavids captured the remarkable atmosphere, with many describing the spectacle as one of the most memorable cultural events seen in St Davids for years.

Photo caption: Lord Rhys emerges from the mist outside St Davids Cathedral as celebrations begin to mark the 850th anniversary of the first recorded Eisteddfod

(Pic: SmallWorld – Video: Drifter St Davids)