A month-long festival to celebrate and encourage creativity in older people starts today (May 1)

The Gwanwyn Festival, held annually during May, celebrates older age as time when people can take a renewed interest in creativity – and provides opportunities for older people to get involved in creative events from drama and storytelling to literature and dance.

There are events for the over 50s across Wales in the festival which is run by Age Cymru with support from the Welsh Government and the Arts Council of Wales.

Arts events near you

Philip Thomas, Gwanwyn’s Coordinator said: “The Gwanwyn Festival is back this year with another packed and stimulating programme of arts, events and experiences for over-50s right across Wales.”

“There are also showcase events taking place in Caernarfon with the Vamos Theatre company; in Mold we’ve got picnic plays at Clwyd Theatr Cymru, and a Bob Marley-inspired reggae event at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff on 25 May.”

Events include:

• drawing workshops in Brecon
• an art, craft and photography display in Newport
• portrait exhibition in Barry.  
• a model-making demonstration and workshop in Monmouthshire
• a dance workshop and a series of film nights for older people in Cardiff
• painting workshops in Dolgellau

Find out about more events from the Gwanwyn website

Find out more about the Gwanwyn festival from Age Cymru’s website