A Jamboree for children and families is the first event to be held in the Senedd to mark 20 years of devolution in Wales.
The Senedd will be filled with sound, colour and activity on Bank Holiday Monday, 6 May, when the public are encouraged to engage with the Assembly’s work and the role it plays in Welsh life every day. 6 May marks 20 years to the day since the first elections were held for the National Assembly for Wales.
One of the main entertainment attractions will be performances by the young dance troupe KLA Dance, from the Caerphilly area, who made quite an impression on the judges in the BBC One series The Greatest Dancer. Also, prepare to be amazed by the talented No Fit State circus, dance to a pedal powered disco and take a selfie with a huge 4-meter-tall Lego dragon – made with 189,500 bricks which took seven people a total of 1,200 hours to assemble!
Children can also build their own masterpiece using Lego Bright Bricks. By building mini models of their homes, schools or local landmarks, they can combine their creations to complete a huge map of their Wales. Each activity is associated with some of the areas of Assembly legislation, including health, environment, the Welsh language, skills and education.
Manon Antoniazzi, Chief Executive of the National Assembly for Wales, says;
“There’s a very warm welcome for all to come and mark 20 years of devolution in our Senedd. This building belongs to all of us and it will be a very different place on Bank Holiday Monday with music, shows and fun activities everywhere.
“Exactly 20 years to the day since the first Assembly election, it’s important that we include the younger generation in the events to mark this milestone. They are, after all, the ones who will benefit most from the work that takes place here. If you’ve visited the Senedd before, or are coming for the first time, this is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the building and engage with your Assembly.”
The following day, on Tuesday 7 May, the occasion will be officially marked in the Siambr when the Presiding Officer and First Minister will formally address the Assembly in the presence of members elected to the Assembly since 1999. Later that evening, previous and current Assembly Members will gather to celebrate, when they will hear, for the first time, an especially commissioned poem written by National Poet of Wales, Ifor ap Glyn.
As part of the same week’s activities, the building will host several partner events, including an event to reveal details about the Welsh National Opera’s ‘Freedom’ season. The Assembly is among the sponsors.
During the summer months, a range of events will be held to mark 20 years of devolution, culminating in a festival of democracy at the end of September which will see names from the arts, sports, journalism and politics gather in Cardiff Bay.
The activities aim to celebrate and debate achievements of the past twenty years but also focus on the future of Wales and engage people, groups and organisations across the country.
More information is available on the National Assembly for Wales website
Senedd Jamboree, 11.00 – 16.00, Monday 6 May 2019
The beats of Samba Galez will echo across the Bay in a procession leading to the Senedd door.
No Fit State circus will blow us away with their incredible skills.
Enjoy a full schedule of entertainment, including the incredible KLA Dance.
Take a journey through the story of the Welsh language in an interactive show by the educational theatre company In Character; take part in a beatboxing masterclass with Mr Phormula; and get stuck in to experiments and slime with the Science Boffins.
Disgo Ynni Da is a pedal powers disco and the only way to spin the tunes is to spin those pedals. The playlist is packed with Wales’ best bands and artists between 1999 and 2019.
A chance to build your Wales, using Lego Bright Bricks. Build a mini version of your home, school or local landmark and add it to the mega map of Wales.
Also, face painting, selfies with the Lego dragon, competition prizes and more.