The FAW announces Gŵyl Cymru Festival, a 10-day event to bring communities together as part of the nation’s FIFA World Cup 2022 campaign.
Gŵyl Cymru Festival, starting 19 November, aims to unify and amplify the wealth of arts, music and events being created for Cymru’s historic World Cup journey – in locations across Wales and beyond. By creating spaces and opportunities for people to come together to celebrate the national team’s sporting success, Gŵyl Cymru Festival will also introduce new audiences to Welsh arts, culture and language – ensuring a cultural legacy to the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Key to the festival is supporting independent grassroots venues – and community organisations, football clubs, and venues are now invited to curate their own programme of events, workshops and performances to become part of the ambitious creative festival.
Football Association of Wales CEO, Noel Mooney said: “The FAW are proud to be utilising our incredible World Cup campaign to work with grassroots independent venues through Gŵyl Cymru Festival. In collaboration with our fantastic partners, we are calling on arts centres, music venues, football clubs and community enterprises across Wales to join us in the support of our Cymru Men’s national team.
“The Gŵyl Cymru Festival events can range from live music events in front of 100’s to art workshops or Q&A’s and comedy sets with 20 attendees. We can’t wait to see those across Wales join together in support of the Cymru team.”
Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething MS said: “The FIFA World Cup offers a historic opportunity to promote Wales. The Gŵyl Cymru Festival will build excitement for the tournament in Qatar and unite Cymru behind the team with a celebration of our wonderful culture and heritage. I am delighted the Welsh Government is supporting what promises to be a truly unique event.”
The open call is for any venue or organisation, in Wales and around the world, who are showing the Wales fixtures to submit their event details to join Gŵyl Cymru, and any activity within the arts world is applicable – from music gigs, comedy nights or film screenings to children’s activities, literary sessions and art workshops.
By signing up on the website – gwyl.cymru – activities and events will be listed in a directory and promoted as part of the festival online. Organisers will also gain access to a digital toolkit, marketing material, videos, playlists, social media assets and art activities. The closing date for submissions is 19 October.
The event is co-produced by the FAW and The Arts Council of Wales, with Nick Davies appointed as World Cup Arts Producer.
Nick Davies said: “This is a special moment for football in Wales – and also for Welsh culture. The world is watching so we want to create and promote events that best represent what Cymru is about – events that are inclusive, celebratory and fun, that people from all our communities can engage in.”
