A message from Elinor Bennett, the Festival’s Artistic Director:

The aim of this year’s Wales Harp Festival  is to remember and pay homage to the  great harpists whom we have recently lost and to transmit their love of the  harp to future generations.

It was with great sadness that we learnt of the death of the Honorary President of this Festival,  Osian Ellis,  one of Wales’ greatest harpists and musicians.  During the past year,  two other illustrious harpists passed away –   Ann Griffiths and Mair Jones – who taught generations of children to play the harp. We thank  them and remember their contribution to the culture of Wales and to the music of the harp internationally.

 In “normal” times during Easter, dozens of harpists of every age would descend upon Galeri Caernarfon with their harps, and would have lessons in classes, listen to other harpists, socialise and play music together.  Covid will not prevent us from keeping  the tradition alive, and the Festival will be transferred online to a new virtual reality.

Thanks to Zoom,  our teachers will be able to share their expertise with harpists and harp enthusiasts  in every corner of the globe. There will be many events  ( classes, concert, master class, lecture) to help us remember the Festival’s past President, Osian Ellis, including the  premier of his beautiful new  piece, “Lachrymae”, published last year .

Our aim  is to ensure that  ” the eternal muse”  is passed on to future generations and In the middle of our troubles,  the harp and its music can raise spirits and enrich lives.    

We warmly  invite harpists and harp lovers from every part of the world to join us here in Wales – virtually this time of course,  but next year in person!  Read about  the Festival events – and click on “register” straight away!