Ontario Welsh Festival, 2008
Stratford, May 02 - 04, 2008
 Another hugely successful
Festival weekend is over. What a wonderful feeling of joy and of belonging. I am always extremely proud of my Welsh
heritage but never more so than during the annual Gymanfa Ganu weekend where there are so many other people who
feel exactly as I do.
 A photographer from
the local Stratford newspaper, the Beacon Herald asked, "Why do you do this?" No-one has ever asked me
that question before, nor have I even considered it. My answer? "Because that's who we are!" It's the
time of year when so many like-minded Welsh people gather to celebrate our extreme good fortune in having been
born Welsh or in having Welsh heritage. We celebrate in song, laughter and camaraderie.
The weekend started off with
a Noson Lawen. Emcee Myfanwy Bajaj had us all in hysterics with her repertoire of jokes. She hardly needs other
entertainers as she is able, single handed, to keep us in gales of laughter. But there were plenty of volunteers
willing to entertain us. Everyone felt that it was one of the best Nosweithiau Llawen ever. The singing did not
end when the Noson Lawen was officially over but carried on until the wee hours of Saturday morning!
The Annual General Meeting
is not the most popular event of the weekend and quite often we have to chivvy members to attend! This was a particularly
important meeting because, finally, the Ontario Welsh Festival has its own insignia - a Chain of Office. This was
the first time for it to be shown to the members, and President, Hefina Phillips, wore it with pride for the remainder
of the weekend.
 Poetry was the order
of the afternoon as Beryl Baigent, originally from Llay, North Wales, gave a seminar about women in Welsh Mythology
and read some of her own poems. This was followed by the usual session of poetry reading, led by Myfanwy Bajaj.
During the afternoon those
lucky singers who are going to Patagonia in October were able to benefit from an intensive practice with Mari Morgan,
director of the North America Welsh Choir. Exhausted, we ran from the practice in time to change into our finery
for the Saturday cocktail party and banquet. We had earned that glass of wine!
 Myfanwy Bajaj has been a member of the Board of the Ontario Welsh
Festival since 1978. She was caught totally unawares when Hefina presented her with a plaque to honour her for
her 30 years of dedication to the OGGA.
Then off to the main event
of the day - the Concert given by the Toronto Welsh Male Voice Choir. I heard nothing but compliments from everyone
who attended. Under the leadership of William Woloschuk the choir performed superbly. William, Ukrainian by birth,
totally understands the meaning and emotion of the Welsh songs sung by the choir, and interprets them exquisitely.
Catrin Rowena Davies of Washington, DC was the guest soloist. Her delightful personality matched her beautiful
mezzo soprano voice. Accompanists Julie Loveless and Alan Thomas enhanced the evening. A truly super concert.
More partying afterwards,
of course! I have no idea from where the word "Afterglow" came to describe a post concert get-together.
By midnight on Saturday I certainly wasn't "glowing"!!
 The raison d'etre of the weekend is the Gymanfa Ganu. Aided by
the choir and Catrin, and with Alan Thomas at the organ, we raised the roof of Parkview United Church. It's been
along time since I've heard such singing. We sang our hearts out for Gymanfa director Mari Morgan. She has the
ability to get the best out of us, though by the end of the second session of hymn singing we were all exhausted,
both physically and emotionally. The traditional final hymn, "God Be With You Till We Meet Again", always
brings me to tears. What a glorious day! Diolch, Mari.
And so the preparations begin
for next year under the leadership of our new President, the Rev. Deian Evans. See you all in Kingston, April,
2009.
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