Burnham wants Barnum Treatment for "Greatest Show on Earth" (Eleanor Burnham )

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Eleanor Burnham <info@eburnham.org.uk>

Burnham wants Barnum Treatment for "Greatest Show on Earth"

August 3, 2007 9:08 AM

On the eve of the National Eisteddfod in Mold, local AM Eleanor Burnham has called on organisers to invoke the spirit of PT Barnum to promote "The Greatest Show in Wales" around Britain, Europe and the World.

Mrs Burnham, Welsh language champion for the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: "The National Eisteddfod is the greatest show on earth, but too few people outside Wales know it is happening.

"This week in Mold there will be giants of every aspect of culture: writers, singers, dancers, artists. All in one place, for one week only. It's part circus, part music festival, part summer fete. It's the Greatest Show on Earth and offers something for everyone. But we need to show much more pzazz in how we promote it. Many people - even in Wales - have an image of the Eisteddfod which is stuck in the past. That's a real shame.

"Wales' premier cultural festival is a shop window for everything that is great about our country. We should use it to welcome the world to Wales, and see what we have to offer."

Mrs Burnham also called for a greater welcome to overseas visitors to the event.

"I have long believed that there should be a multi-lingual croeso at the Eisteddfod reaching around the world to attract culture lovers from every corner of the globe.

"To expand the appeal of the event we have to reach out to new markets and boost visitor numbers. That's the best way to keep the Eisteddfod alive, by improving the financial viability of the event."

"The National Eisteddfod should be an invitation from Wales to Europe and the whole world. It has the potential to be one of Europe's most successful cultural festivals."

Notes:

Eleanor Burnham is AM for North Wales and Welsh Language Champion for the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

Phineas Taylor Barnum was a showman who is best remembered for founding the circus that eventually became Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.

P. T. Barnum billed his travelling show as "The Greatest Show on Earth".