Huw Lewis, Minister for Housing, Regeneration and Heritage, took part in a Cauldrons & Furnaces Wishes for Wales workshop at Hay Festival, showing his support for Wales’s Cultural Olympiad celebrations.
Cauldrons & Furnaces, which launched last month by the Welsh Government to welcome a strand of the Cultural Olympiad to Wales, is a series of high profile events taking place at Cadw sites across Wales from 16 June – 17 July. Wishes for Wales is one element of the Cauldrons & Furnaces activity, involving young people from schools across England and Wales, who have been coming to St Davids in west Wales to take part in this creative heritage project.
Through Wishes for Wales, which is a joint project between Cauldrons & Furnaces and Farms for City Children in Treginnis Isaf, the young people involved are demonstrating what Wales’s history and heritage means to them by hand painting and embellishing in St Davids colours gold, black and white, a ‘golden stone’ with their own design and inscription of a personal message – their wish for Wales – which will then be left in St Davids Bishop’s Palace as part of a Celtic installation.
People visiting the Wishes for Wales workshop held on Cadw’s stand at Hay Festival were asked to draw a design that represents themselves and their connection to Wales’s heritage, and then write a wish for Wales on the back of the stone. Huw Lewis said: “This is a fantastic project and it’s great to see so many young people involved in celebrating Wales’s heritage and culture at such an important time. It’s such a simple idea, but will remain a lasting legacy of Cultural Olympiad celebrations in Wales.”
The Wishes for Wales stones created at Hay Festival, which were all painted using the red, white and green of Wales, will be on display at two Cauldrons & Furnaces events; at the beginning of the 22 day Pilgrim walk leaving from Llanthony on Saturday 16 June, and then moved to the Great Hall of the Bishop’s Palace, St Davids to debut the end of the Pilgrim journey on Saturday 7 July.
Cauldrons & Furnaces is a partnership between Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, and the Arts Council of Wales. The project is part of Power of the Flame, and has been funded by Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity which is creating a lasting impact from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by funding local talent to inspire creativity across the UK.
Wishes for Wales is directed by artist Deborah Withey, who said: “Wishes for Wales has been a fantastic project to work on, with so many enthusiastic and imaginative young people involved. It was great having the Minister at the workshop today, as well as all the other visitors to the stand. It’s great to see such creative spirit and willingness to contribute to this lasting legacy of the Olympic celebrations here in Wales. I’m looking forward to seeing the collection of stones at the Cauldrons & Furnaces events later this month and in July.”
Those who wish to be become part of history and participate in Cauldrons & Furnaces can join the 22-day Pilgrim walk or the magnificent procession at St Davids and walk with the Pilgrims through the city to the Palace for a finale feast of music, dance and food.
For further information about the 22 day Pilgrim walk, visit www.ramblers.org.uk or www.pilgrimage2012.co.uk and for further information about St Davids Bishop’s Palace email info@orielyparc.co.uk or call 01437 720 392.
The other Cauldrons & Furnaces events across south Wales will also give locals and visitors an array of cultural experiences which will help bring Wales’s history to life.
For lovers of Wales’s stunning landscape and history, visitors can witness the reawakening of Blaenavon Ironworks in a multisensory musical celebration and also take part in enchanted adventure trails and tales in the grounds of Laugharne Castle.
Caerphilly castle is the inspiration for Awen – a festival of the arts, including dance, sculpture, poetry and film.
Cadw has set a challenge for people to attend as many events as possible to be in with a chance of winning one of five Cadw annual family memberships. For details of how to take part pick up a Cauldrons & Furnaces leaflet at a participating site or visit www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
For more information about Cauldrons & Furnaces and how you can get involved, visit www.cadw.wales.gov.uk, find Cadw on Facebook or Twitter. #CF12
Details of the Cauldrons & Furnaces events – all Wales (south Wales *)
*Saturday 16 June – Saturday 7 July
Pilgrimage walk, Llanthony Priory to St Davids
Trace the tracks of ancient pilgrims, kings, saints, madmen and paupers with a dedicated group of artists and storytellers on a 22-day Pilgrimage across South Wales. There will be special events, eye catching performances and educational workshops at key points along the route. FREE event, join at www.ramblers.org.uk / www.pilgrimage2012.co.uk.
Friday 22 June, Town Parade 5.00pm – 6.30pm
Saturday 23 June, Castle Performance 7.30-9.00pm
Spirits of Dragons, Flint Castle
Travel through the mists of time with a musical spectacle as your companion. Join the children of Flint as they tell the story from mythical beginnings through to Roman, Norman and English invasions with performances from dragons, giants and masked characters. FREE ticketed event. Book at www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk / 08453 303 565.
*Friday 29 & Saturday 30 June, 6.30-8.15pm
Elemental, Blaenavon Ironworks
A multisensory celebration of a unique landscape and the elements – witness the reawakening of this incredible World Heritage site, that once kick-started an industrial revolution, through creative and musical performances.
FREE ticketed event. Tickets available from www.head4arts.org.uk.
Sunday 1 July, 2.30-4.30pm
Cipio’r Castell, Caernarfon Castle
A spectacular musical procession to kick start a month of artistic celebrations – visitors can enjoy specially commissioned raps, orchestral and choral music, live theatre and a month-long series of innovative art installations within the castle walls. FREE with a wristband, available from 1 June at www.visitsnowdonia.info or from Caernarfon Tourist Information Centre or call 01286 672 232.
*Saturday 7 July, 1.30-6.00pm
Event starts – Oriel y Parc 1.30pm, procession leaves Oriel y Parc 2pm
Finale events at St Davids Bishop’s Palace 3.00-4.15pm (yellow wristbands), 4.30pm-5.45pm (silver wristbands).
Dewi Sant Pilgrims, St Davids Bishop’s Palace
One big walk, one small city – after a 22-day trek across Wales, the pilgrims are welcomed with fanfares, music and artwork. Visitors can join the last leg of the journey through the city ending at the Bishop’s Palace with a celebration of music, food and dance. FREE with a wristband available from 16 May at Oriel y Parc, St Davids, email info@orielyparc.co.uk or call 01437 720 392.
Sunday 8 July, 6.30-9.30pm
Mantell, Denbigh Castle
One legendary golden cape. Thousands of golden memories. Visitors will be taken on a journey through the castle and witness the story unfolding through storytelling, puppetry, animation, music, dance and fire sculpture – culminating at dusk in a magical and glowing finale. Booking essential. Tickets £2, available from 1 May from Denbigh Library call 01745 816 313 or visit www.mantell-aur.com.
*Wednesday 11 July – Friday 13 July, 6.30pm-9.00pm (10.00pm Friday)
Awen, Caerphilly Castle
Myths and legends have always been intriguing and Awen is no different. A three-day celebration of poetic inspiration through sculpture, film, dance, music and drama reflecting vibrancy and culture of the region. FREE ticketed events. For tickets visit www.blackwoodminersinstitute.com / www.visitcaerphilly.com or call 01495 227 206.
*Saturday 16 June – Sunday 15 July
Saturday 14 July – Promenade Theatre Event 2.00-4.00pm
Sunday 15 July – National Botanic Gardens 2.00pm.
Talacharn Trails & Tales, Laugharne Castle
The enchanted twelfth-century castle will play its part in an adventure trail laden with clues and riddles. By peering through the gatehouse or roaming the gardens, visitors will find answers to unlock the secrets of this literary town. Normal castle and garden admission prices apply; visit www.talacharntrails.com or www.cadw.wales.gov.uk or call 01437 720392 for more information.
Monday 16 & Tuesday 17 July, 8.00-9.30pm
Men of Harlech, Harlech Castle
Get ready to rock! Seven centuries of Welsh history brought to life with a creative bang. An anthem to stir the soul and provide inspiration for this two-night spectacular of music, song and dance – over 250 young people from Gwynedd tell the story of seven historic epochs through twenty-first century eyes. Tickets £8/£5 concessions / £20 family (2 adults + 2 children). Tickets available from www.cytser.com and Harlech Castle on 01766 780 552.