28 Mar 2013
Fowey Festival of Words and Music: 8th - 18th May 2013
Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival: 2nd - 6th May 2013
Worldwide fans of Fowey and its wonderful Festival of Words and Music will also be able to enjoy The Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival in the stunning riverside town in May.
The Choral Festival is attracting choirs from as far across the globe as Australia for its five song-filled days over the May Bank Holiday - with one of its concerts now confirmed for Fowey to herald the town's own major cultural event.
"The Fowey Festival and our own Choral Festival have both grown out of all recognition since their early beginnings," said Choral Festival Director Peter Davies, "and since we host concerts right across Cornwall from May 2nd - 6th it seems absolutely right that we celebrate with Fowey at this very special time of year."
More than 60 choirs of all ages and nationalities will be converging on Cornwall for the largest event of its kind in Europe, with 50 concerts and celebrations in 40 venues across the county including a performance at Fowey Parish Church by the Male Voice Choirs of Peterborough, Tamar Valley and Gledholt (Yorkshire) on Sunday 5th May as a prelude to the Fowey Festival.
Fowey's eleven day celebration of the arts sets off in earnest on 8th May with its music, drama, literary greats and films combined with walks, talks and excursions. Highlights include double MOBO Award-winning saxophonist YolanDa Brown and her band, comedian Tony Hawks presenting his film Playing the Moldovans at Tennis, an afternoon with War Horse author Michael Morpurgo and Scottish trio LAU, recent winners of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Live Act, for an unprecedented fourth time. There's also music from Bond, the original electric string quartet, last seen in the UK playing in the London 2012 Olympics closing ceremony.
The tented Festival village and scenic waterside town will see an eclectic mix of acts including up-and-coming comedians Seann Walsh and Josh Widdecombe, Jonathan Dimbleby's Any Questions, and spirited political commentary from Ken Livingstone - all running alongside stunning literary-themed walks and talks with that daughter of Fowey, Daphne du Maurier, at their heart.
Jonathan Aberdeen, Director of The Fowey Festival of Words and Music is anticipating another successful cultural event. "Since 1997 Fowey has enjoyed the reputation of hosting one of the UK's most popular festivals of its kind. The mix of music, comedy, literature, guided walks, talks and community events has always proved to be popular with residents and visitors alike. The Festival has a wonderfully relaxed and informal atmosphere to it. People enjoy the variety of events - indoors and outdoors, fun and informative. There really is nothing quite like it in the entire UK - that's what makes it so special.
"To have the Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival host a concert in the beautiful Fowey Parish Church as a curtain raiser to this year's Festival, is another excellent reason to visit Fowey to get you in the mood for the festivities that are to follow."
Information on all acts, tickets and booking are on the new Festival website www.foweyfestival.com where you can also sign up for a monthly E-Newsletter.
For more on the Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival, including all concert venues, see www.cimvcf.org.uk
There are two competitions to win tickets and a short break in Fowey, see: http://www.visitcornwall.com/about-cornwall/competitions and
Watch "Fall in Love with Fowey" at http://www.visitcornwall.com/video-fowey
ENDS
https://www.facebook.com/FoweyFestival @foweyfestival1
Other Literary Festivals in Cornwall include St Ives Literature Festival, 11th - 18th May 2013, http://www.stiveslitfest.co.uk and Penzance Literary Festival, 17th - 21st July 2013, www.pz-litfest.org.uk
Contacts:
For both Festivals - Louise Midgley Communications - louise@midgleycomms.co.uk -01326 316678 / 07831 696093
Or Sian Robbins - VisitCornwall Festivals and Events Assistant sian.robbins@visitcornwall.com - 01872 322873
Or Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival - Director Peter Davies - peter@cimvcf.org.uk - 01778347381
Attached photos:
1) Bond, electric string quartet
2) Peterborough Male Voice Choir singing at teh Eden Project
Other images available from Louise Midgley, contact above
Notes to Editors:-
The Fowey Festival of Words and Music was formerly known as "The du Maurier Festival" and a du Maurier Society was set up in July 2011 to deliver future festivals. It is a company limited by guarantee and is registered as a charity. Its trustees are responsible for the overall strategy, general policies, funding and external relations. The Society employees a full time Festival Director, supported by a network of over 100 volunteers.
The du Maurier Festival Society is working in partnership with Visit Cornwall and an external PR Agency to maximise prominent coverage in local, regional and national press and on-line.
About Visit Cornwall
Visit Cornwall is a service of the Cornwall Development Company, Cornwall Council's arm's length economic development company
- Visit Cornwall undertakes destination marketing aimed at attracting first time visitors to Cornwall through appropriate promotions including targeted PR and through its award winning digital marketing
- Visit Cornwall also supports relevant major festivals/events and undertakes targeted research and market intelligence activities to drive Cornwall's marketing and product development
visitcornwall.com is the official tourist board online visitor guide.
Join Visit Cornwall on Facebook www.facebook.com/ilovecornwall
Follow Visit Cornwall on Twitter www.twitter.com/ilovecornwalluk
Watch Visit Cornwall on Youtube www.youtube.com/cornwalltouristboard
Watch Visit Cornwall on Youtube www.youtube.com/cornwalltouristboard
The Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival was inaugurated in 2003 and is held every two years.
- This year's Festival from May 2 - 6 includes choirs from Australia, Russia, France, Germany, Lithuania, The Netherlands, the Czech Republic, South Africa, Finland, Scotland, Wales and England (including Cornwall).
- The Festival is a non-profit making company, limited by guarantee and is a registered charity.
- The Festival is supported and sponsored by a wide range of local businesses to which the Board is sincerely grateful.
- Presidents Lady Mary Holborow and Vice Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Michael Galsworthy continues to offer tremendous support.
