By land and by sea to WOMEX 25

Angharad Jenkins and Gwen Màiri on board the ferry to Helsinki

In late-October, Tŷ Cerdd, in partnership with Wales Arts International, led a delegation of seven individuals to global music expo and showcase WOMEX 2025 in Tampere, Finland. As part of the programme, three of the Welsh delegation took a land-and-sea journey all the way, along with a group of artists and industry professionals from across the UK. It was a pilot project to take a sustainable, artistic journey without flying – laying the groundwork for future low-emission, intentional travel and artistic practice.

WOMEX hosted more than 50 gigs over three days

A key priority for the delegation while at WOMEX itself was be to consolidate and develop support of indigenous languages and cultures, and fostering engagement with audiences and artists here in Wales.

The Welsh delegation at WOMEX 25

The Welsh delegation was made up of artists, promoters and sector professionals: Angharad Jenkins (musician), Branwen Dickson (Wales Arts International), Deborah Keyser (Tŷ Cerdd), Dilwyn Llwyd (Neuadd Ogwen, Bala), Elan Evans (project manager), Gwen Màiri (musician) and Wynne Roberts (The Welfare, Ystradgynlais).