Wales puts forward Eurovision entry: Campaign for Wales to compete as a nation begins
Wales’ first Eurovision entry, Anfonaf Angel by Sara Davies, has been released today as part of a campaign for the country to compete in the celebrated competition as a nation.
What if Wales, the land of song, was able to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest? What if we could select one of the many talented singers our nation has to offer to compete and perform on this this international stage?
Well, this is exactly what Welsh record label Coco & Cwtsh and one of its artists, Sara Davies is imagining, and hopefully manifesting this year they launch a campaign to get Wales to compete as a nation in future.
As part of the campaign, the winner of this year’s ‘Can i Gymru’ (Song for Wales) competition and Pan Celtic international festival, Sara Davies today releases her new track ‘Anfonaf Angel’ (I send an Angel).
The song is a reworked production of Robat Arwyn & Hywel Gwynfryn’s popular song as an example of the wealth of song writing talent and vocalists we have in Wales, and what Wales would be capable of presenting if entering the competition was possible.
From today, ‘Anfonaf Angel’ (I Send an Angel) will be available to stream and purchase on all major platforms with a spectacular video to coincide with its release on YouTube @saradaviesmusic.
“Natural”
Ahead of the release Sara Davies, who is originally from Old Colwyn and lives in Llandysul said: “This is incredibly exciting. As this year’s Can I Gymru winner, it’s natural for me to wonder what if we could take things further and compete on such an international stage?
“It really doesn’t make much sense to me that we’re not. It’s a privilege to be part of a campaign that shows what we could look and sound like up there, that will hopefully drive the idea forward and get people talking about it up and down the county.
“We had so much fun making it too and I hope people get on board with the campaign while they also enjoy the music. With four costume changes, dancers, glitter cannons & a key change – it doesn’t get more Eurovision than this!”
Along with the release of ‘Anfonaf Angel’, on the evening of the Eurovision song contest final on May 11, a live event will be held at Coco & Cwtsh studios & venue where guests will be treated to a very special performance by Sara Davies along with a live screening of the Eurovision Song Contest from Sweden.
Contender
In short, the campaign will look, feel, and behave as if Sara was a contender at this year’s Eurovision song contest in Sweden.
Coco & Cwtsh Chief Executive, Ffion Gruffudd said: “You can absolutely see this type of song representing Wales at the Eurovision where everybody would be dancing along and completely embracing the music.
“The song is an example of the wealth of song writing and production talent we have here in Wales, along with Sara’s amazing vocals brilliantly demonstrating what we can produce.
“Coco & Cwtsh strongly believe that we as a nation have something special to offer this wonderful competition and that we shouldn’t be restricted from having a voice on this important stage because of broadcasting technicalities.
“We hope the whole of Wales gets behind Sara’s song this year and it gets people talking, imagining, and campaigning with us.”
“Reminder”
The re-worked version of ‘Anfonaf Angel’ was originally produced for the BAFTA Cymru Awards opening ceremony last year in collaboration with Coco & Cwtsh as annual supporters where the ceremony’s host and BBC’s The One Show presenter, Alex Jones said immediately after the performance: “Yet another reminder of why Wales should be allowed to enter Eurovision under our own steam”, by adding “We should start a campaign”.
Rebecca Hardy, Interim Head of Bafta Cymru said: “When the beats to ‘Anfonaf Angel’ reverberated through the auditorium during last year’s Awards, it just had ‘Eurovision’ written all over it and we are thrilled that Coco & Cwtsh have used this song as part of their campaign.”
With the requirements to compete at Eurovision being that a country needs to be an active member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and considering that S4C is already an active member that has already taken part in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, Cymru competing is not an entirely nul point situation.
Ffion Gruffudd added: “The aim is to build on this next year and maybe open it out into an actual competition where artists and musicians can enter their songs before deciding on what the Welsh entry would be and doing this year on year, along with an event, until we get to compete in the Eurovision as a nation in our own right.
As a signed artist to Coco & Cwtsh who won Can I Gymru this year, Sara was the natural choice, but who knows where this might take us. We would certainly welcome songs in Welsh and English and would not be restricted to Can i Gymru winners alone.”
You can follow the campaign and all the content around It on Sara Davies and Coco & Cwtsh social media accounts @cococwtsh @saradaviesmusic and by using the hashtags #Wales4Eurovison #CymruEurovision
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This would be fabulous! Wales to have it’s culture shared all over Europe and the World <3
Reality is I think the cost for S4C to host is too far (it will strain BBC now the Tory party are defunding the BBC). Part of the deal for EU song is a financial hit to take part and a suitable venue if you win. If Wales wins, the requirements are massive and costs are higher again. It is one hell of a road show to set up.
But never say never, it would be good to see at some point.
They don’t need to win the bloody thing ! Just put up a good showing with quality work would make it stand out against a lot of the garbage that turns up on Eurovision. Maybe when Cymru is a free standing separate entity it might just be able to put on a show fit for international viewing. It doesn’t have to be full of glitzy electronic rubbish anyway. Some stripped back sounds would make a positive change.
Not the way it works. Shades of Father Ted if we did win it.
Eurovision I don’t like it, not my cup of tea but I think it is the best international contest going. If that seems at odds. The whole set up, the artists go in for it hell for leather, even the practice sessions are full on and it draws a massive audience.
I don’t think the glitz and the automatic music do the artists much justice anyway.
There have been very few entries I have enjoyed (weird I know, but I like the competition and effort form the artists) but they go for it. If you want Wales in there at the moment, get behind Welsh artists qualifying for the show in the UK.
Although I’m not a fan of Eurovision do want to see Wales feature in its own right. I hate the idea that we are denied the opportunity to enter be it a song competition to international cricket as Wales. In fact, I think entering as Britain is a hindrance. If Ireland can feature and win multiple times as a standalone country, so can we. 🏴
Some things are very much more important.
Well said Jane this is hypocrisy and double standards.One rule for Russia and another one for Israel.
Further proof that the Western hegemony dictates policy to things that don’t fit their narrative.
You’re missing something absolutely basic.
Eurovision entries are self governing independent states – Wales is not
Yes they are! Virtually The only thing they don’t control is Self defence. Which is practically akin to the EU. The only nation of the UK that doesn’t control their own internal laws is England, as their ancient parliament hasn’t been solely theirs for going on 320 years.
And if we do, England and Scotland should be separate also, or under UK, not GB.
As s Nation Wales has its own Football Rugby team we should compete as a Nation in the Eurovision in the Olympics as a Wales i was told in a comment when i put it the Daily Fail that Wales should compete as in the Olympic Games as an independent Nation we would not win any Medals this typifies the English IGNORANCE AND ARROGANCE that Welsh people have won medals under the bloody banner of U K they must think only English People win the Medals For the U K
Another ploy to break up the UK. Why not the best song of the home nations go up against each other in a public vote to see who goes through to represent UK entry.
Cymru am byth.