“Autumn Rising,” a new festival honouring the cultural legacy and accomplishments of coalfield communities, is announced by The Welfare in Ystradgynlais.
The Welfare, located in Ystradgynlais, is organising an event called “Autumn Rising” to celebrate the achievements made by coalfield communities around Wales. The festival seeks to draw attention to the importance of the arts, activism, history, and culture in these communities, as well as their impact on democracy and the political system.
“Our long-term goal is to offer fresh insights into our heritage and the opportunity to experience the arts and culture from wider global mining communities,” festival director Wynne Roberts said of the event’s purpose.
The festival will open with two showings of the iconic movie “How Green Was My Valley,” which was selected by the recently formed film club, on Wednesday, October 9. A diverse array of events, encompassing theatre, music, visual arts, and interactive community activities, will comprise the remaining portion of the program.
An exciting event that will take place on Sunday, October 13 from 12 PM to 4 PM is a community fun day. Residents of the neighbourhood are invited to this free event to honour their legacy and can look forward to community group performances, workshops on circus skills, and audiovisual installations.
Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to write down and share their recollections and experiences pertaining to their town and The Welfare. Food and drink will also be offered, together with a live aluminium pouring event where locals may participate in mold-making and watch the casting procedure.
The festival will include professional performances in addition to community events. One of the professional performances is a musical called “We’re Not Going Back,” which is performed by the Red Ladder Theatre Company and depicts the narrative of three sisters during the miners’ strikes. In addition, Danny Mellor will present “Undermined,” a one-man piece that examines the crucial occasions of 1984.
Art lovers will enjoy the six-week “Miners Imprint” exhibition, which features new works from Swansea University and the Print Workshop in addition to the eerie creations of Paul Peter Piech.
Through visual narrative, this exhibition seeks to capture the resilient spirit of coalfield communities. Throughout the festival, there will undoubtedly be plenty of opportunities for music enthusiasts to interact with the arts.
The Ystradgynlais Public Band will perform with Bronwen Lewis, while an evening dedicated to traditional coalfields music, named COAL, will feature VRï star Aneurin Jones.
A screening of “Striking with Pride” will also be part of the festival, along with a performance by Jonathan Blake and the Beaufort Male Voice Choir.
The Autumn Rising festival, which takes place over more than five weeks, promises to greet both returning and first-time guests to the hall. In the eyes of director Wynne Roberts, this festival marks the start of an annual tradition that will build community ties and attract new viewers.
During Autumn Rising, attendees may anticipate a motivational exhibition of skill and imagination, guaranteeing the longevity of these communities’ essence for future generations.
Purchases for paid events can be made in person, over the phone, or online.
The entire schedule of events is available for viewing and booking right here.
