Human rights campaigner Terry Waite has hailed the contribution of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in helping to give world peace a chance.<\/p>\n
As he prepares to take his place at the head of the 67th<\/sup> annual festival , Mr Waite has spoken of the crucial role music played in helping him through his dark days of captivity as a hostage in Beirut.<\/p>\n The Eisteddfod President has also described how the festival, which attracts people from across the globe, is a \u201cpowerful example\u201d of how ordinary men and women can make a positive difference in a world torn apart by war.<\/p>\n Mr Waite, 73, has been awarded the MBE and CBE for his humanitarian work.<\/p>\n He was serving as special international peace envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury when in 1987 he journeyed to Lebanon \u2013 then one of the world\u2019s most dangerous places \u2013 in a bid to secure the release of four hostages, including the journalist John McCarthy, being held by an Islamic jihad organisation.<\/p>\n During the tense negotiations he was himself taken hostage on January 20, which was the start of his journey into the hell of four years of captivity in a Beirut dungeon.<\/p>\n For most of the time Terry was kept in solitary confinement in a room without any natural light, chained to the wall and forced to sleep on the floor. He was\u00a0 beaten and subjected to mock executions.<\/p>\n He recalls of how every day he did his best to hold himself together spiritually, mentally and physically.<\/p>\n In the final stage of his captivity, his robust health began to deteriorate when he contracted a severe lung infection.<\/p>\n His torment eventually ended in November 1991 after 1,763 days as a hostage.<\/p>\n Mr Waite, who will make his ever-popular appearance as President at this year\u2019s Llangollen Eisteddfod from July 9-14, has now spoken of the important part his lifelong love of music played in helping him endure those harrowing times.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cI have always been interested in music since I was a boy and was a member of the local church choir.<\/p>\n \u201cMy grandmother taught the piano and to supplement the family income in the days of the Depression played in the theatre for the silent movies.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I visited her I always requested her to play some of those old tunes for me.<\/p>\n \u201cAlas, I never had opportunity to learn to play an instrument but my interest in music continued across life.<\/p>\n \u201cDuring the days of captivity as a hostage I was kept in strict solitary confinement without access to books or music for many years.<\/p>\n \u201cDuring those dark days I recalled music I had listened to and played the melodies in my head in so far as that was possible.<\/p>\n \u201cMusic, like good language, has, I believe, the capacity to breathe harmony into the soul and in those days inner harmony was something I sought and needed.<\/p>\n \u201cAs Gareth Malone has so clearly demonstrated in his television series, music does have the capacity to bring people together who would not be brought together in any other way – which brings me to the Eisteddfod.<\/p>\n \u201cAs President of this great event I have seen across the years people from all across the world come to a small Welsh village bringing with them their musical talent.<\/p>\n \u201cParticipants from groups that back home were fighting each other have forgotten their differences and joined together in music, song and dance.<\/p>\n \u201cLlangollen is a powerful example of how ordinary men and women – for the Eisteddfod is still organised in the main by volunteers – can make a positive difference in this war-torn world.\u201d<\/p>\n Terry added: \u201cIt is a mistake to think that it is only people in high political office who can bring peace.<\/p>\n \u201cPeace begins in the hearts of ordinary men and women who learn to share and trust. Music is one powerful means to this end.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was an honour for me when Karl Jenkins invited me to contribute words for his recent work, The Peacemakers.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI wrote the words for the soprano solo and they sum up the message of the Eisteddfod.<\/p>\n \u201cI look forward to meeting many old friends there this coming year and of course to making many new ones.\u201d<\/p>\n In the years since his release, Terry has continued his tireless quest for world peace and has become the founder of or associated with a wide range of humanitarian organisations, such as the international development agency Y Care and Hostage UK.<\/p>\n On the Llangollen Eisteddfod\u2019s opening day, Tuesday July 9, he will lead the colourful traditional procession through the town to signal six days of world-class competitions and contests.<\/p>\n The fesitival’s Musical Director, Eilir Griffiths, was honoured that a man of such \u201cgreat humanity and courage\u201d was their Patron.<\/p>\n Mr Griffiths said: “Terry Waite is a great man whose passion and dedication to the cause of peace is an inspiration to us all.<\/p>\n “His personal ethos chimes perfectly with the fundamental purpose of the International Musical Eisteddfod which was founded as a means of promoting global harmony in the aftermath of the Second World War.”<\/p>\n This year\u2019s event is from Tuesday, July 9, to Sunday, July 14. For more information go to the website at <\/strong>www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk<\/strong><\/a> and Facebook at <\/strong>www.facebook.com\/llangollen<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n