Wrexham, 05 May 2022
Today, the High Commission of Canada in the UK and Wales Arts International launched a year-long celebration of Canadian arts and culture across Wales, highlighting the close ties and shared values between our two countries, under the banner of #CanadaGoesCymru.
Jonathan Sauvé, Counsellor for Public Diplomacy at the High Commission of Canada in the UK, officially launched the programme at Focus Wales on Thursday, 05 May.
Canada Goes Cymru sees Canadian culture shine on screens, stages, and other platforms across Wales throughout 2022. Presented by the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom in partnership with Wales Arts International, with additional support from Telefilm Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Welsh Government, this year-long cultural programme celebrates the close ties and shared values between Canada and Wales.
Canadian content will appear across a wide variety of festivals and established venues in Wales, including at Focus Wales, Hay Festival, Urdd Esteddfod, National Eisteddfod, Chapter Arts Centre, Neuadd Ogwen and many more.
For all the latest information on the programme and Canadian performers, follow #CanadaGoesCymru on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Click to learn more about the High Commission of Canada in the UK and Wales Arts International.
“Canada is a proud friend of Wales and Canada Goes Cymru will shine a bright spotlight on the many cultural links between our two nations. The influence of Wales on Canadian life can be seen from coast to coast to coast, from place names like Bangor in Saskatchewan and Cardigan in Prince Edward Island, to the continued marking of Welsh festivals in Canada such as Gymanfa Ganu and eisteddfods. Canada Goes Cymru is a great way to celebrate both Canada and Wales.”
- The Hon. Ralph E. Goodale PC, High Commissioner for Canada in the UK
“We are delighted to support this spotlight on Canada across Wales and for arts, creative expression, film and languages of Canada to be experienced in Wales and to nurture new and re-imagine relationships and to partner the High Commission of Canada. Our cultures have a long, intertwined and varied history which has shaped cultural narratives on both sides. As the UN Decade of Indigenous Languages begins, in Wales we want to listen and hear the many languages and cultural expressions of Canada as well as to create safe and respectful spaces to reflect and re-think injustices in meaningful cultural ways.”
- Eluned Hâf, Head of Wales Arts International
“We are delighted to showcase Canadian films as well as their creators as part of the year-long celebration of Canadian arts and culture in Wales. #CanadaGoesCmyru provides an essential gateway for more collaborations between Canada and the UK and will stimulate demand for Canadian content abroad.”
- Christa Dickenson, Executive Director and CEO of Telefilm Canada
“We are so excited to see the launch of Canada Goes Cymru which highlights the fantastic cultural offering Canada can bring to our vibrant Welsh arts sector, and coincides perfectly with our Wales in Canada year. Both initiatives are celebrating the growing connections and opportunities between our two nations and we look forward to seeing the relationships that grow from Canada Goes Cymru and Wales in Canada, and delivering their legacies.”
- Andrew Wagstaff, Head of Canada, Welsh Government
- The Welsh Government has designated 2022 as the year of 'Wales in Canada'. The #CanadaGoesCymru programme, a year of Canada in Wales in partnership with Wales Arts International, will run in parallel with this initiative.
- Over 450,000 Canadians claim Welsh heritage, and the rich legacy left by Welsh immigrants to Canada can be seen everywhere in Canada from city names to literary culture, and beyond
Media contacts in the UK
Kayla De Nardi
Head of Communications
High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom
Kayla.DeNardi@international.gc.ca
+44 (0)7714 061 192
Press Office
High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom
pressoffice-bureaudepresse.ldn@international.gc.ca
(+44) (0)7584 280 232
Programming contact in the UK
Lesley Jones
Head of Advocacy and Cultural Diplomacy
Lesley.Jones@international.gc.ca