Cardiff wins bid to host WOMEX world music expo in 2012

It has been announced that Cardiff has won the bid to host leading world music expo WOMEX in 2013.

The announcement, made at the Wales Millennium Centre, marks the end of a year-long campaign to bring the event to the nation’s capital, which is set to take place between October 23rd and 27th, 2013.

Described by UNESCO as ‘the most important international professional market of world music of every kind’, WOMEX evening performances will take place at the Wales Millennium Centre, while the day time showcases, trade fair, conference and film screenings will be held at the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff.

The international showcase event is expected to include around 60 concerts featuring more than 300 artists and a trade fair exhibiting around 650 companies from over 90 countries, with more than 400 national and international journalists expected to be in attendance.

Welcoming the news Rt. Hon Carwyn Jones AM, first minister said: “WOMEX is a great opportunity to bring the most important world music stage to Wales as well as developing the sector in a sustainable way within our country. WOMEX 13 Cardiff will place the music from Wales on the world stage alongside more established markets so that Wales’ authentic music traditions become more widely known internationally and are positioned beside music from our Celtic neighbours. Hosting WOMEX will allow us to grow the profile of Wales’s traditional music, both within and out of the country.”

The bid to host the 2013 event was led by Cerdd Cymru : Music Wales, a partnership between the Welsh Music Foundation, Wales Arts International and Arts Council of Wales, with support from British Council and Welsh Government, with the intention of accelerating the export-ready music sector and promoting the music sector of Wales internationally.
Dai Smith, chair, Arts Council of Wales, commented: “This is a wonderful achievement for Wales. Persuading WOMEX to come to Wales has been a longstanding ambition for the Arts Council of Wales and our partners. This event, of worldwide significance, is an important part of our wider plans to develop a vibrant and exciting music industry in Wales.” 

Daniela Teuber, WOMEX director of production, also added: "We’re very happy that Cardiff will be hosting WOMEX in 2013. The city offers a most favourable setting for our complex event and its 2500 delegates and artists from all over the globe. The production partners in Wales are truly professional and highly motivated. The wonderful venues are in close proximity and match our multifaceted needs. Wales has outstanding cultural wealth, hospitality and scenic beauty."