THE iconic Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod will make history this May when it offers Wales’s dancing hopefuls a unique route into its world famous competitions – and the chance to compete for a share of £3,500.

In a ground-breaking partnership the Eisteddfod will break a tradition going back over 70 years by partnering with the new Festival of Discovery on Anglesey in May to give 12 troupes of folk dancers the chance to perform on stage at Llangollen this year.

It’s the first time the Eisteddfod, founded in 1947, has allowed another event to act as a qualifier for its prestigious competitions which have helped launch the careers of world stars like Sir Bryn Terfel, Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo.

That’s something the Eisteddfod’s Acting Musical Director Edward-Rhys Harry is excited about and he said: “This partnership with the Festival of Discovery is a first for us and is about reaching out into the community and forging links with other cultural events.

“Dance is very important to us at Llangollen and we are very well represented from an international point of view and we hope this will encourage a stronger entry from within Wales, across all ages, no holds barred.

“We have the Dance Champions of the World on stage on Saturday night at the Eisteddfod and I hope to see not just representation from Wales but for them to go all the way.”

The Festival of Discovery Wales will take place at the Anglesey Showground over three days from Thursday, May 30, to Saturday, June 1, and is really three events rolled into one combining adventure, culture and the great outdoors.