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Criccieth Art Association presents a week-long programme of events in June each year. Local Lad, Bryn Terfel (top left) performed at the first Criccieth Festival in 1988. Bryn is now a patron of Criccieth Festival, which will celebrate its 21st birthday in 2008.
Some of the "fixtures" during Criccieth Festival week include:
the David Lloyd George Memorial Lecture
A politician or someone from another important area in public life such as the law, is invited to give a lecture. Speakers in the past have included Paddy Ashdown, Rabbi Julia Neuberger and Baroness Williams of Crosby. The Rt. Hon. David Trimble famously cried off at the last minute in 2003. He had a "spot of trouble" on his hands at the time...
Literary events
Often authors, bards, national eisteddfod chair winners or poets perform their work or talk about their aspirations and inspirations.
Amateur Drama Club
An evening of entertainment with Criccieth's very own Starlight Players. Whether a drama, who dunnit, farce, operetta, musical or evening of song and dance, their enthusiasm and talent always puts a happy smile on the faces in the audience.
Morning Recital
Whether voice, wood, wind, string, percussion or any combination of these, the morning recital (or two) during the week tend to be held at the smaller venues in Criccieth and to appreciative audiences. The genre varies, but the standard is always very high.
Children's Concert
Usually by musicians who have special interest in and experience of introducing the world of music to schools and other audiences in the community. Mostly young professional musicians themselves, they may be fast folk fiddle players or exhilarating percussionists, but they all soon take "audience participation" to new levels!
Opera, Operetta or Ballet Evening - or a mix of all three!
An evening of all your favourite music by Mozart, Schubert, Haydn, Strauss & Co. or a pastiche of famous ballets, depending on what has been arranged by Gillian Green, the currently Artistic Director of Criccieth Festival.
Folk, Rock, Pop and Jazz
Festivals are often accused of being elitist. That is not very fair, especially at Criccieth Festival which has hosted such national treasures as Humphrey Littleton, Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen, Cloe Lane and John Dankworth in the past!
Choirs, Hymns and Arias
What would a festival in Wales be without a choir? Or a few stirring "hymns and arias"?
Festival Service
A bilingual ecumenical church service held at one of several places of worship in Criccieth.
Art and Crafts Exhibitions
Spot-lighting work by artists and craftsmen throughout Wales as well as local talent.
OTHER EVENTS INCLUDE:
Children's Fun Days featuring Rock Band Competitions, workshops, side-shows, face-painting and refreshments
A Grand Firework Display at the Castle after darkness falls
A Flower Festival at the RC Church of the Holy Spirit and an Open Garden to visit. A plant sale is often included in the programme, sometimes with specialist plants otherwise difficult to source.
The Friends of Criccieth Festival
The support of the Friends is immensely important to the success of the Festival. Festival Friends also have priority booking in advance of other festival goers. FRIENDS may purchase their tickets for all events at a 20% DISCOUNT.
For more information please send your request to:
Gwyl Criccieth Festival, Library Building, Criccieth LL52 0RN
TEL / FAX: (01766) 522778 or E-MAIL
The full festival programme is now available per post or via the Criccieth Festival web site
In addition to Criccieth Festival, Ty Newydd, the Writers Centre for Wales also holds mini literary festivals. See their web site for more details.
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