CELTIC music pioneers Catrin Finch and Aoife Ní Bhriain will perform at the British Embassy in Paris tonight (Friday, 17 March) to mark the start of the Welsh Government’s Wales in France year.
The performance, supported by British Council Wales and British Council France, is part of a year-long programme to celebrate the cultural, business and sporting links between Wales and France.
Welsh harpist and composer Catrin, who is originally from Llanon, is internationally renowned having been the Official Harpist to the Prince of Wales. As a composer, she has recently undertaken commissions from Ballet Cymru, S4C and the National Eisteddfod of Wales. While Irish fiddle player Aoife, combines classical and traditional music and is known as one of her generation’s most gifted violinists. Together, they play music that is influenced and linked by the cultures of their home countries.
The collaboration is a Mwldan Production and was first performed at the Other Voices Music Festival in Cardigan in the autumn of 2022, which drew them huge acclaim. They now plan to release their debut album in October, before embarking on a UK and international tour.
The British Council, together with the Welsh Government, Wales Arts International and Arts Council Wales, will also support the Wales in France year through a programme of arts and cultural activity yet to be announced. This will support individuals and organisations in both Wales and France to connect, develop relationships and create new work across 2023.
Speaking about the Wales in France programme, Ruth Cocks, Director, British Council Wales said: “We are delighted be supporting the Welsh government’s Wales in France Year through our arts and education programmes. Wales has such a special history with France with our shared Celtic identities and links between our languages, music and culture. We’re very excited to support Welsh musicians at the launch in Paris, as well as work with our valued partners, Wales Arts International and Arts Council Wales. We wish Catrin and Aoife the best of luck with their performance and look forward to an exciting cross-cultural programme in 2023.”
Previously, the British Council has supported several arts projects linking Wales and France, most recently supporting the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the Orchestre National de Bretagne in a series of joint concerts in 2022. This support will continue beyond 2023 with the British Council France upcoming cultural season in UK-France Spotlight on Culture 2024 featuring also to feature many Wales-France cultural collaborations.
The Wales in France programme continues the British Council’s work, building connection, understanding and trust between people in the UK and overseas through arts, education and language teaching. To find out more about the British Council’s work in Wales visit https://wales.britishcouncil.org/ or follow on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.