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Côr Cymry Gogledd America
the community choir that spans a continent

Welsh Patagonia and the North American Welsh Choir calling!
by Hefina Phillips, Toronto, Canada

Have you ever had a burning desire to visit a certain place- somewhere remote or "romantic" perhaps, somewhere that whenever you hear its name mentioned, you are filled with an overwhelming feeling that that is where you must go? That it is a place that is calling to you? Patagonia has been "calling" me since I was a very small child and finally, hooray, hooray, my dream is about to come true!

Why am I so obsessed with Patagonia, or Y Wladfa as it is often known in Wales? I was raised in Cwmgiedd, a tiny village in the upper reaches of the Swansea valley and, as I was an only child, cousins, aunts and uncles were very important. Imagine the thrill when my "big" cousin, Jean, returned home to Cwmgiedd for the very first time. Home from where? From Patagonia! And what's more, she was bilingual! Even though I wasn't yet bilingual, we were quite used to people being able to speak both Welsh and English. But Welsh and Spanish?? In Cwmgiedd?? This was a great novelty in the village. And I remember my mother being tickled that Jean spoke Welsh with a Spanish lilt!

Auntie Maggie and Jean's visits obviously had their effect on me because ever since then Patagonia has been high on my list of places to visit. Unfortunately none of my friends felt the same. Until now!

Next October the North American Welsh Choir, under the leadership of Mari Morgan, will celebrate its 10th birthday with a visit to Welsh Patagonia and Buenos Aires where we will give concerts and compete in the Eisteddfod in Trelew. Wouldn't you like to join us? Do you sing? Do you have a computer? Can you get on the Internet? Can you read music or pick it up by ear? Can you pronounce if not read Welsh? If you answer "Yes", then the North American Welsh Choir could be for you. Mari would be thrilled to hear from you.

For more details about the choir and the tour, check www.nawr.com/corcymry or get in touch at WelshPatagonia2008@afineline.org. Singers and non-singers are welcome!

Am I bilingual like my cousin Jean? Not yet, but I have started Spanish lessons!

Photos
(larger versions of these photographs may be downloaded for print by clicking on the desired image).