DATE: July 2 nd 2012 15.00 pm 18. 30 pm

FREE CONCERT

LOCATION: Westminster Hall , Houses of Parliament, London

A Commonwealth Carnival of Music will be a spectacular multi-cultural musical celebration, bringing the best of Llangollen International Eisteddfod to Westminster. Hosted by the broadcaster Huw Edwards, Baroness Floella Benjamin and founder of the Bite the Ballot political youth movement, Mike Sani, the Carnival is being staged in association with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (UK) as a central part of this years Diamond Jubilee Celebrations .

Choirs and dancers representing all corners of the Commonwealth on their way to the International Eisteddfod on July 3 rd will perform in front of a specially invited audience of musically talented young people, unsung heroes, community groups, Members of Parliament, Peers, VIPs and representatives of the Commonwealth High Commissions.

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod attracts some of the best choirs, dancers and performers from all over the world. A selection of 2012s best Commonwealth performers have been invited to perform in A Commonwealth Carnival of Music at Westminster, including choirs from Canada , South Africa and Australia and a dance troupe from India . In addition, the line-up includes The Commonwealth Youth Orchestra , a Maori Choir who will bring the Haka to Westminster, a male Welsh Voice Super- choir and The Watoto Childrens Choir (an award winning and inspirational choir from a charity which looks after orphans in Uganda .) There will also be a rare opportunity to see The Parliament Choir whose members include Lords, MPs and other members of Westminster Staff.

Carnival Producer, Janet McBride said, This is a unique event taking place in the heart of the Palace of Westminster. It combines the spirit of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod with the Commonwealth Connecting Cultures theme for 2012 and is a fitting tribute to The Queens 60 years as head of the Commonwealth.

The President of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod, Terry Wait e acknowledged the Eisteddfods influence by saying that, Today, the festival is known right across the globe and often better known overseas than it is in the United Kingdom! Young people from different religious, ethnic, racial and social backgrounds gather together in Wales to share and express themselves through the language of music. Music has the capacity to breathe a certain harmony into the soul and those who experience harmony and peace within are better able to work for peace throughout the world.