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Sky News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Urdd Eisteddfod: Why Strictly star Amy Dowden is supporting Welsh festival that is 'like Britain's Got Talent'
Thousands of people are expected to attend Port Talbot this weekend as the town gears up to welcome an annual Welsh festival. The Urdd Eisteddfod is a celebration of Welsh culture when children and young people up to the age of 25 take part in a variety of competitions. There are 400 of them in total, including singing, reciting poetry and dancing. The Urdd organisation itself was established more than a century ago in 1922, with the aim of giving children and young people in Wales the opportunity to learn and socialise in the Welsh language. Its six-day Eisteddfod is held during May half-term and in a different part of Wales each year. The Urdd Eisteddfod broke its own records last year, with more than 100,000 registrations to compete. Margam Park is home to this year's event - the first time since 2003 that it's played host. Among the main prizes up for grabs this year are the chair (awarded to the main poetry competition winner) and the crown (awarded to the main prose competition winner). This year's crown and chair have been made using some of the final pieces of steel produced at Port Talbot steelworks before the closure of the blast furnaces last year. There are some new additions to this year's Eisteddfod, including awards for singing, musical theatre and acting, named in honour of Sir Bryn Terfel, Callum Scott Howells and Matthew Rhys. Another new award - the Amy Dowden award for dance - will also be awarded for the first time this week. Speaking to Sky News, Strictly Come Dancing star Dowden said it was a "real honour" to be supporting the next generation of dancers. "The arts and the industry is tough, and I just hope that [the young people] can see that I've managed to push myself through it," she said. "I've worked hard, I've had a few challenges along the way. Hopefully I can help inspire them as well." 'It's like Britain's Got Talent' As a former competitor herself in what is one of Europe's largest touring youth festivals, Dowden says she "couldn't imagine [her] childhood without it". "I've loved Eisteddfods since I can remember. Every year at school I took part in everything, from the baking to the reciting poems, to the folk dancing, to the creative dancing," she said. "The Urdd Eisteddfod is literally like one big talent competition, it's like Britain's Got Talent." The winner of the Amy Dowden award will get one-to-one sessions with her as part of the prize, as well as masterclasses at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. They will have the opportunity to perform on an international stage and also win a cash prize. "I know from my dance training and everything, each of those is so beneficial to getting yourself to that professional level," Dowden added.
Pembrokeshire Herald
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Ukrainian soprano hopes to rebuild career after war trauma through competition
Pendine International Voice of the Future offers platform for classical singer seeking new life in the UK A TALENTED Ukrainian soprano whose life was upended by the Russian invasion is hoping to revive her career at one of Wales's most prestigious cultural events this summer. Khrystyna Makar, now living in Shotton, Flintshire, is one of 25 singers from around the globe competing for the title of Pendine International Voice of the Future at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in July. The classical singer, who fled her homeland in 2022 with her two sons, Denys, now 20, and Lukian, 15, left behind her husband, Volodimir, and parents in Lviv. Since arriving in the UK, she has lived in Ceredigion and Aberystwyth before settling in north-east Wales, where she continues to pursue her musical passion despite the upheaval. Before the war, Khrystyna enjoyed a flourishing career performing across Ukraine and at leading venues in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Scandinavia. She hopes the exposure from competing in Llangollen will open new doors in the UK music scene. 'Being separated from your family is difficult but you have to be strong,' she said. 'We are a friendly people and we're very grateful for the support we have had from people in Wales and England.' Khrystyna recently returned from a visit home to Ukraine, which coincided with a deadly Russian missile strike on an apartment block in Kyiv that killed twelve and injured more than eighty. 'It's difficult, but people still try to keep going,' she said. 'We were able to celebrate Easter together – we don't lose our traditions even in these times. Everywhere is dangerous, even in the west, but people are trying to rebuild their lives.' This year's Pendine Voice of the Future competition features singers from the USA, China, South Africa, England and Wales. The winner will receive the Pendine Trophy, presented by Welsh opera legend Sir Bryn Terfel, and a cheque for £3,000, with £1,000 awarded to the runner-up. Now in its twelfth year, the competition is sponsored by Pendine Park via its charitable arm, the Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT). For Pendine founders Mario Kreft MBE and his wife Gill, who conceived the idea in 2013, the 2025 contest carries extra significance as the organisation marks its 40th anniversary. Mario Kreft said: 'The standard of the competitors in years past has been phenomenal, and I have no doubt it will be just as high again this year. The added opportunity to appear on the same stage as Sir Bryn Terfel is a dream come true for many of these young performers.' The final of the competition will take place on Sunday, July 13, during the Eisteddfod's grand closing concert, which will also feature Sir Bryn performing songs from his new album, Sea Songs, alongside The Fisherman's Friends and Welsh folk singer Eve Goodman. Artistic director Dave Danford described the competition as 'one of the most important' in the Eisteddfod calendar: 'For the audience, it's the chance to see a future star; for the competitors, it's the experience of a lifetime.' Two former winners with Pembrokeshire links will also return to the festival this year. Eirlys Myfanwy Davies, winner in 2017, and Shimona Rose, winner in 2024, will appear as featured soloists at a special Karl Jenkins concert on July 9, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. Sir Bryn Terfel said: 'The Pendine International Voice of the Future competition is a brilliant opportunity for emerging vocal talent. It offers a platform that could help launch careers on the global stage.'
Leader Live
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Ukrainian soprano competes at Llangollen Eisteddfod
Soprano Khrystyna Makar is among 25 competitors in the Pendine International Voice of the Future contest at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod this July. Her life took a dramatic turn in 2022 when she and her sons, Denys and Lukian, had to leave their home city, Lviv, due to the war. They left behind her husband, Volodimir and her parents. Now settled in Shotton, Flintshire, Khrystyna is competing against singers from countries including the USA, China and South Africa, as well as England and Wales. Before the 2022 invasion, Khrystyna was a successful classical singer, performing across Ukraine and Europe. READ MORE: Mold: 'Cracked Coffee' to open new shop this weekend War-displaced singer hopes Pendine contest reignites classical career (Image: Supplied) Since arriving in the UK, she has lived in Llangrannog and Aberystwyth before finally settling in Shotton. She has found it challenging to maintain her musical career and hopes the Llangollen competition will provide a much-needed boost. Khrystyna continues to make trips home to Lviv to see her husband and family, but her recent visit coincided with a deadly Russian missile strike on a Kyiv apartment block. Twelve people were killed and more than 80 injured in the attack. Khrystyna said: "It's difficult but people still try to keep going. "Being separated from your family is difficult but you have to be strong." The competition is sponsored by the Pendine Arts and Community Trust and the winner will receive a £3,000 cheque and the Pendine Trophy, presented by opera star Sir Bryn Terfel. They will also perform at the Eisteddfod's final concert on Sunday, July 13, alongside Sir Bryn. Pendine Park proprietor, Mario Kreft MBE, said: "The standard of the competitors in years past has been absolutely phenomenal and I have no doubt it will be just as incredibly high again this year." Llangollen Eisteddfod's artistic director, Dave Danford, said: "This is one of the most important competitions of the Eisteddfod and people come here because they could be watching someone who will become a household name." Sir Bryn Terfel added: "The Pendine International Voice of the Future competition is a wonderful opportunity for talented young singers to make a mark."
