Wood carving, mosaic making and all things creative will be at the heart of attractions planned for this year’s Tynwald Day celebrations.
At the Bunscoill wood sculptor Gavin Carter will be using elm he has sourced locally and milled to create a story-telling chair which children will be invited to decorate with carving under his supervision, while educational support officer Elaine Edge will be running a mosaic workshop where young people can help design two decorative panels to commemorate Tynwald Day 2013; one depicting a Manx Viking boat, the other referencing Manannan and the sea. Both community art projects will be offered free of charge.
Additionally, the Play People will once again be bringing all the excitement and spectacle of the circus to St John’s with workshops offering opportunities for young people to learn new skills.
The Island’s national day will also be taking on a distinctly international flavour with the Cor Meibion Llanrwst a'r Cylch (Llanrwst and District male voice choir) - some 28 choristers with occupations ranging from farmers to firemen - singing in the Royal Chapel and US Manx teenage dance team And Sometimes Y from western Massachusetts realising their dream to perform in the Isle of Man, following their successful fundraising campaign to help with travel costs. The team’s teacher, David Nixon, said: ‘From the beginning we have specialised in traditional Manx dances. We are especially proud to share the Manx dance tradition with audiences in North America and are excited to be travelling to the Isle of Man to learn new dances, share some of our own, and meet the people where these dances originate. We have promised to return home with a new repertoire of Manx dances to teach and show in gratitude for the many contributions made to make this visit possible.’
In tandem with the many attractions planned the Isle of Man’s unique parliamentary democracy will be celebrated at the formal open-air proceedings of Tynwald Court on Tynwald Hill. There is also ?100 to be won in the traditional Tynwald Day competition that tests entrants’ powers of observation.
The celebrations will conclude with the Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums playing on Tynwald Hill at 10pm, followed by a fire show staged by the Play People from 10.30 to 11pm.
President of Tynwald Clare Christian said: ‘It is thanks to the enthusiasm, commitment and hard work of so many individuals and organisations that Tynwald Day has developed into such an accomplished celebration of Manx national pride. Tynwald Day is distinguished by the pageantry and centuries-old tradition of our unique parliamentary system and by a wealth of artistic talent, not only from across the Island but also from beyond these shores. These diverse elements make for a compelling mix that both reinforces the parliamentary significance of Tynwald Day and ensures the cross-generational appeal of our national day.’
Grandstand seat tickets, priced ?4 to include a programme, can be purchased by contacting the Tynwald Library, telephone 685520.
Tynwald Day is central to Manx National Week, June 29th to July 7th. The Tynwald Day leaflet, which features details of Manx National Week events Island-wide, will be distributed in the Isle of Man Courier of the week commencing Monday June 17th and can be downloaded from www.tynwald.org.im. Copies of the leaflet can be obtained from the Tynwald Library in the Legislative Buildings, Finch Road, Douglas and will also be available on the day at the Tynwald stall on the fair field.
Photo - US Manx teenage dance team And Sometimes Y
