History of the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association (WNGGA), 1929 - 2003.

Disgrifiad

This volume traces the evolution and growth of the Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association, the North American Society that encompassed Canada and The United States of America. It is a substantial book but is downloaded as a single document for the sake of continuity. Essentially this is a summary of all the meeting minutes and papers that existed in the files up to 2003, interspersed with comments from the author. It is intriguing reading, tracing the development of what was a one day Gymanfa Ganu gathering in Niagara, New York on Labor Day in 1929, to the presentation of a weekend of Welsh Activities in Richmond British Columbia in 2003. In this evolution. The Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association worked with a co - sponsoring local association to mount what became known in Welsh Circles as ‘The National’, The Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu, at various cities across North America. The minutes describe well the essential aspects of the Welsh Character, divulging the political, religious and financial conflicts that arose over time and how individual persons and different groups influenced the evolution of the Association and programs.
Much has also changed since this volume was published. The Welsh National Gymanfa Ganu Association is now known as The Welsh North American Association (WNAA). The ‘National’ is now known as the North American Festival of Wales, ‘NAFOW’. The event in Richmond, B.C. in 2003 was the first to use this title. The NAFOW incorporates, as a highlight of the weekend, the Sunday afternoon and evening Gymanfa Ganu sessions. In essence NAFOW recognizes and enjoys all aspects of Welsh Culture including the religious. Indeed for many, even though not highly religious, the Gymanfa is the real highlight of the weekend simply because it allows expression of that inherent Welsh trait, the enjoyment of singing.

This is file number WNAA 00001 in the Association data base and also in the archive data base at the Great Plains Welsh Heritage Center, Wymore, Nebraska