Call for entries for Young Peacemakers’ Awards by Llangollen Eisteddfod

A world-famous peace festival in Wales is calling on young people to enter their award scheme which celebrates young people who are making a real difference in their community and beyond.

The Young Peacemakers’ Award scheme is designed to recognise children and young people who have contributed to a greater understanding of peace, climate justice and equality in their school, youth group, local community or in the wider world. There are also creative categories and organisers are hoping that young people will be inspired to express their ideas about how the world can be a more peaceful, equitable and sustainable place post-COVID19 – through words, art or digital media.

The scheme is being organised by The Welsh Centre for International Affairs (WCIA), Size of Wales and the Council for Wales Voluntary Youth Services (CWVYS) in partnership with the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

The awards are open to all young people in Wales between the ages 5 and 25 years and the competition is open for entries now. The closing date for applications is 10th June 2022.

There are seven categories that individuals or groups can enter including, Young Peace Activist of the year, Young Peace Artist of the Year, Young Climate Champion of the Year and Young international Peacemaker of the Year.

Details of how to enter can be found here: http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/get-involved/young-peacemakers-awards-2022/

The finalists will be announced at a Young Peacemakers Awards Ceremony at the Eisteddfod festival on Children’s Day, 7th July 2022, where young people will receive a certificate and an award.

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod was originally founded to spread the message of peace and friendship in 1947 during the second world war.  Each year around 4,000 performers from around the world and as many as 35,000 visitors converge on this beautiful small Welsh town to sing and dance in a unique combination of competition, performance and community spirit.

Camilla King, executive producer of the Llangollen Eisteddfod said:

“The Llangollen Eisteddfod was founded on the idea of peace and togetherness and its message is as relevant today as it was 75 years ago. We’re thrilled to be partnering with WCIA, Size of Wales and Wales Voluntary Youth Services to highlight the fantastic work that young people are doing to spread the message of peace and inspire young writers and artists to share their perspectives on peace and what it means to them.

“We encourage children and young people (between 5 & 25 years old) to get creative and send us their entries – creative and critical writing, artwork, performance, film, presentations on action for change.Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of these exciting and prestigious Awards.  Entries can include work and projects already completed at home, in the classroom, youth groups or Sunday schools – as long as young people are happy for this to happen!”

This year (7-10 July 2022), after a two year hiatus the festival opens with two of the classical world’s vocal powerhouses, Aled Jones and Russell Watson performing together.  In a line-up that celebrates the best traditional and contemporary music from around the world, 2022 highlights include Grammy Award winner Anoushka Shankar with Manu Delago and the Britten Sinfonia whilst on Sunday 10th, the ever popular Llanfest will feature British indie three-piece, Amber Run, UK Blues Artist of the Year Elles Bailey and Welsh/Bajan singer Kizzy Crawford.