Back to RWCMD main site

World’s Largest Harp Festival Comes to Cardiff

14 August 2017

Cardiff celebrated welcoming the World Harp Congress to the UK at the handover ceremony at WHC2017 in Hong Kong last month.

Cardiff will host the 14th World Harp Congress in 2020, the first time the World Harp Congress has been to Europe in twelve years.

The Royal Welsh College is the host venue for WHC2020 and the artistic committee which includes many of Wales’s foremost performers, is led by Catrin Finch RWCMD Fellow and Artist-in-Residence, and Caryl Thomas, Head of Harp at the College.

“Our festival will celebrate the diversity of this wonderful instrument, bringing together different forms, traditions and musical styles from all corners of the globe, and welcoming to Wales the leading ambassadors of this most cherished of instruments,” explains Catrin Finch.  “It will be a journey of discovery and friends through music. “

The handover ceremony featured Royal Welsh College harp students, including Mari Kelly (pictured), as well as new compositions by both Catrin Finch and Jeff Howard.

With visitors expected from over 50 countries, this Congress will feature a truly international programme of recitals, concerts, workshops and seminars, embracing all aspects of harp music and performance.

The World Harp Congress has members from over 50 countries and is held every three years, aiming to promote harp music internationally with concerts, workshops and seminars embracing all aspects of harp music and performance.

Related stories

RWCMD Welcomes World Harp Congress 2020