Senedd on world stage as it welcomes prestigious music festival

23 October 2013

The National Assembly for Wales will host an official reception of the leading WOMEX World Music Festival on 25 October.

It is the first time that the festival will be held in Wales; it aims to bring together all sections of the music industry to discover new artists and sell new products.

Daytime conferences will take place at the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena between 24 – 26 October with venues in Cardiff Bay then coming alive each evening as they showcase the best of world music from across the globe in a series of concerts and musical events.

On 25 October the Presiding Officer, Rosemary Butler AM, will host an official reception at the Senedd.

“It is fantastic that Wales will become the focal point of the world music industry,” the Presiding Officer said.

“The music industry is one of the biggest sectors in the world and to host one of the most prestigious festivals in that sector really does put Wales on the map.

“It is a celebration of world music as well as an opportunity for industry leaders to do business.

“It also offers Welsh artists, producers and the music sector in Wales an opportunity to promote their skills and talents on the world stage.

“And by welcoming music industry leaders and music lovers from across the globe to Cardiff, it also demonstrates that we are looking at Wales’ contribution to the world.

“We pride ourselves on being a modern, evolving and outward looking legislature which has already, in its short life, made a significant contribution and impact on the world stage.

“We are still a relatively young democracy, only just entering our teenage years.  But in this short time we are making a big impact on the world stage, most notably in the fields of e-democracy, citizen engagement, working bilingually and how we hold the government to account.

“Hosting a prestigious world event such as the WOMEX festival is yet another example of how we are maturing as a parliamentary democracy, and as a nation.”

For more information about the festival click here.