Merthyr to rise again as it gears up for festival
MERTHYR Rising returns this weekend, once again aiming to showcase the town’s cultural vibrancy.
Running from June 3-5, the festival features an even more ambitious line-up this year including inspiring thinkers, thought-provoking speakers and debates, alongside appearances by talented artists, musicians, writers and filmmakers.
The festival will again have a distinct local flavour, especially around Merthyr’s Penderyn Square, where local bands will perform on Saturday and Sunday in front of enthusiastic crowds.
Last year, a homegrown play based on The Wizard of Oz called The Wizard of Gurnwah, written and staged by local artists, actors and writers, was a huge success – and a new play by the same team titled OMG! will premiere at Merthyr Rising this year.
Headline names include The Farm, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, comedian and activist Mark Thomas, The Artist Taxi Driver, Tariq Ali and award-winning actress Vicky McClure.
The three-day event, which this year is spon- sored by public services union Unison, is described as a celebration of the radicalism and creativity of the town and is named after the rising of 1831 in Merthyr Tydfil.
The 1831 rising was one of the earliest organised actions of industrial workers in 19th-century Britain and was sparked by anger at low pay, debt and appalling working condi- tions in the iron works and mines of the Valley town.
“Merthyr Rising Festival was conceived as a way of expressing the tradition of radicalism and creativity in Merthyr, and of having an event which brings people into the town and shows what the place is really all about,” said organiser Ian Jenkins, who put the festival together with fellow Merthyr Rising founders Anthony Griffiths and Lyn Williams.
“Merthyr has suffered badly in the last 30 years, with jobs disappearing and a succession of governments who seem more interested in supporting banks and corporations than ordinary people, but the town is still full of hope, energy and passion.”
■ For full line-up and ticket details visit www. merthyrrising.uk