MEIRIONNYDD’S much-loved music and arts festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary this summer with a host of Welsh and international talent.

The world has been invited to a huge party that will be held on the streets of Dolgellau this July for the latest Sesiwn Fawr.

In 1992, the iconic festival began when a group of local music enthusiasts decided they wanted to attract fresh talent to the area.

Now in 2017, following a rollercoaster ride of 25 years where the festival’s popularity has peaked and troughed intermittently, this year’s celebration of Welsh language music will take place between 21 and 23 July.

“Some of the best artists in the world will be coming to Dolgellau this summer, and we foresee that tickets will have been sold well before the festival weekend,” said Branwen Rhys Dafydd, chair of the organising committee, as well as a Dolgellau town councillor.

“The Peatbog Faeries from Scotland who proved so popular a few years ago will return and Swnami will give us one of their rare Welsh appearances of the year.

"Calan have started a 30-date tour of England and are jetting off to China, Australia, Denmark and Canada before returning to Wales to appear at Sesiwn Fawr, which is quite a coup for us.

"Other exciting names at this year’s event will be Coco and the Butterfields (England) and Dallahan (Ireland).”

This year’s Sesiwn Fawr line-up is as ecletic as ever, and also includes Lewis a Leigh, Steve Eaves, Alys Williams, Lowri Evans, Tecwyn Ifan, Fleur de Lys, Climbing Trees, Nantgarw and Teulu to name but a few.

Branwen added: “Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau has developed into an arts festival for all the family and as usual there will be various literary and comedy events held over the weekend.

“On Saturday afternoon the famous Dawnswyr Nantgarw will perform for festival goers on Eldon Square, Dolgellau before a procession around the town.”