In early October, Wales made its mark in Calgary when artists from Wales performed at BreakOut West Festival.
Along with Wales Arts International (WAI), we were thrilled to support FOCUS Wales as they delivered three packed out showcase concerts to highlight Wales' amazing talent - acts such as Adwaith and Seazoo - to a Canadian audience.
We also held deep discussions around the role music plays in reviving, promoting and celebrating indigenous languages. On Truth and Reconciliation Day, WAI and Adwaith joined an insightful panel on the importance of language and music to communities under threat. We're so pleased to be working with BreakOut West on an Indigenous programme around the UNESCO International Decade of Indigenous Languages.
Our Welsh artists also closed the festival with Canadian Indigenous artists in a Sunday session to celebrate minority languages in music.
Check out this short film, created by FILMCAFE to hear how we're representing Wales through the arts and music:
FOCUS Wales' partnership with BreakOut West sees Welsh artists showcasing each year at the BreakOut West festival and in turn, western Canadian artists are given the opportunity to showcase their talents at FOCUS Wales Festival in Wrexham.
There's plenty more to come during this special Wales in Canada year, and Welsh music will be making another appearance in Canada very soon. In November, three more phenomenal artists from Wales will be performing at M for Montreal and again, we're very proud to support the Welsh showcase at the festival.
These international festivals offer invaluable opportunities to connect through programming, performances and events. In celebration of Wales in Canada, we're delighted to have confirmed long-term funding to support FOCUS Wales grow Wales’ presence in Canada over the coming years.
