The 2023 Ontario Welsh Festival held April 21-23 was a resounding success! After a hiatus of four years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we were thrilled to see so many familiar and new faces at the Hilton Garden Inn in Ottawa.

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Below is a summary of the highlights from the 2023 Festival to give you an idea of the fun we have!

• The Friday Welcome Tea with Mary Muckle at the harp and Welsh Festival items for sale.
• The Friday Noson Lawen where you can be part of the entertainment (or provide your hearty encouragement from the audience).
• Screening of the film Y Syrcas on Friday and Saturday afternoons.
• Saturday’s Seminar by Anastasia Llewellyn, MA, discussing the importance of the 1588 Welsh Bible in the survival of the Welsh vernacular.
• A Saturday afternoon bus tour, Ottawa with a Welsh Flavour, led by David Jeanes and including a visit to Rideau Hall, official residence of The Governor General of Canada.
• The Gold Award presentation at the Saturday evening banquet to recipients David Pugh (2020) in absentia, and Meriel Simpson (2022).
• The Saturday concert at the magnificent Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa featuring renowned baritones John Ieuan Jones and Steffan Lloyd Owen, soprano Eiry Price, and accompanist, Rhiannon Pritchard.
• Sunday morning breakfast in the Tulip Restaurant, Hilton Garden Inn.
• The Sunday Cymanfa Ganu led by John Ieuan Jones along with our very own accompanist, Alan Thomas, at Christ Church Cathedral.