The official start of the Eisteddfod week means the "Parade of Nations" where the competitors and their supporters parade through the beautiful town of Llangollen in North Wales in full costume often stopping to perform parts of their dance routines etc.
One of the highlights of the week without a doubt and it always attracts a large crowd. A bit drizzly this year but I reckon it was one of the best parades I have seen (and I've seen a few!).The parade weaves it's way through the town and then makes it's way back to the Royal Pavilion site where performers start to prepare themselves for the evening.
The evening's event comprises many of the performers marching through the 4,000 seat pavilion in full costume and carrying their national flags before making their way onto the stage. Once assembled, the President of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Terry Waite CBE, makes a speech welcoming everybody and then the fun really starts.
The evening is then taken over with performances by a large number of the people who later in the week will be competing in the various music, song and dance competitions.
A fabulously noisy, colourful and very happy day.
