The 2011 Millennium Magic Weekend extravaganza, which takes place in Cardiff this weekend will be the beginning of an event filled year for Wales as a range of major sporting and cultural events get underway.
All 14 of rugby league’s Super League teams will play their opening matches of the season at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday and Sunday, as the Millennium Magic Weekend returns to Cardiff.
During Ryder Cup week, the Deputy First Minister and Heritage Minister launched ‘Event Wales’ – Wales’ first Major Events Strategy which aims to build on the successful Team Wales effort in delivering the 2009 Ashes Test and the 2010 Ryder Cup. Since that time, the Major Events Unit has taken significant steps to develop a balanced and sustainable portfolio of major events which will enhance Wales’ international reputation.
Heritage Minister, Alun Ffred Jones, said:
“We’re looking forward to welcoming Millennium Magic back to Cardiff and if the ticket sales are anything to go by, it looks like the fans are looking forward to coming back too. It promises to be a great weekend and an excellent start to a year of exciting events for Wales – some of which Wales will host for the first time.
“Earlier this week, I was in Llanberis to officially launch the Commonwealth Mountain and Ultra Distance Running Championships which will take place in Gwynedd, Anglesey and Conwy on 23 to 25 September 2011. This will be the highest profile international athletics event staged in Wales since the athletics component of the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff. This event is yet another example of how Wales is really making its mark as the host of major international sporting events. The race elements complement the spectacular local landscape perfectly – with Llandudno, the forest of Newborough and Snowdon providing a perfect, gruelling challenge for the competitors.
We also look forward to welcoming the IRONMAN Triathlon back to Wales this year, where the breathtaking Pembrokeshire landscape will lend itself to the challenge.
“Both these events will provide a huge boost for the local tourism industry and provide a high profile platform for encouraging healthier lifestyles.
The Major Event Unit has also worked with signature events in Wales and will be supporting once again the Green Man festival. Fiona Stewart Managing Director of Green Man, said:
”2010 was a brilliant and exciting year for Wales’ Green Man Festival, culminating in winning “The Best Medium Sized UK Festival” prize at the UK Festival Awards. We are very grateful for the fund we received from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Major Events unit in 2010 as it has given us the opportunity of developing tourism locally, promoting Wales abroad, and develop training opportunities”
The new “Spirit of Llangollen” events will see some of the best international competitors from the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod perform in Cardiff , in a new ‘Pavarotti Choir of the Decade’ contest. It will build on the success of the Choir of the World competition at Llangollen and will receive support from the Assembly Government’s major events unit for its first three years.
Mervyn Cousins, Chief Executive at Llangollen, said:
“This is a really exciting major event developing Llangollen’s brand, including our unique Pavarotti link.”
The Heritage Minister, said:
“The events will allow people across Wales further opportunities to experience the talented international musicians that come to Llangollen every year. It builds on the international recognition of the Llangollen Eisteddfod and is a great example of how we can get the best value out of existing signature Welsh major events.”
Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones, said:
” Major events play a crucial role in raising Wales’ international profile and reputation and in attracting large numbers of visitors to Wales. It is worth noting the positive contribution which major events can make to the Assembly Government’s drive to develop the creative industries sector in Wales and to support our wider skills agenda set out in the Economic Renewal programme.
