Butetown Carnival celebrated at the Senedd

Published 01/09/2022   |   Last Updated 02/09/2022   |   Reading Time minutes

The Senedd hosted the main stage for this year’s Butetown carnival, where local communities and international artists were invited to take part in a celebration of Wales’ diverse communities.

The carnival, in partnership with the Wales Millennium Centre and supported by the Arts Council of Wales ran over the August bank holiday weekend and included a wide range of live musical, dance and artistic performances on the Senedd steps.

The carnival dates back to the 1960s and is a culturally and historically significant event for Cardiff and Wales. The event welcomes children and families from a range of different communities every year.

A colourful carnival parade started on Sunday 28th August from Loudon Square and ended at the Senedd. Oscar nominated artist Joanna Quinn, also hosted a carnival themed animation workshop inside the Senedd.

Speaking prior to the event, Rt. Hon. Elin Jones MS, Llywydd of the Senedd said:

We are delighted to be hosting the Butetown Carnival this year and we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone joining the celebrations.

“It is wonderful that the Senedd is being used as a part of this great event which unites Cardiff’s multicultural communities.

“The Butetown Carnival has longstanding roots in Cardiff and it’s a privilege for Wales’ parliament to play a central part of the celebrations.”

Speaking prior to the event, Keith Murrell, from the Butetown Arts and Culture Association said:

“The Butetown carnival is an inclusive event which celebrates our multicultural communities, it is has gone from strength to strength over the last decade.

“It’s great to be partnering with the Senedd this year.

“It is symbolic that our parliament is hosting us at the centre of the action in Cardiff Bay. The carnival is a highlight of the Welsh cultural calendar and we’re looking forward to a great weekend.”