A CHOIR from Llanuwchllyn travelled to The Netherlands over the weekend to raise awareness of the Welsh culture and language.

Côr Eryrod Meirion flew to the Netherlands on January 18 as part of a campaign to attract overseas visitors to Wales during out-of-season periods.

The trip is part of the Ffordd Cymru scheme led by Gwynedd Council and Visit Wales, which promotes three routes which represent the best of Welsh hospitality and attractions.

As part of the tour, the 18-member choir will visit the Vakantiebeurs International Festival Fair in Utrecht city to perform and release a ‘flash mob’ video.

Choir conductor Branwen Williams said: "It was a pleasure to be able to take Eryrod Meirion over to Utrecht to give the locals and visitors there a taste of our culture and language.

"Seeing people engrossed in the choir's singing and wanting to learn more about Welsh was an uplifting experience.

"The reaction to our flash mob video has also been wonderful. It was a great privilege to be able to do our bit in putting Wales on the map once more.

"Once we heard about the invitation to go to Utrecht, we jumped at the chance to take part."

The Eryrod Meirion choir was established around two and a half years ago. Since then, the group has enjoyed success at the National Eisteddfod and the Pan Celtic Festival and regularly perform around the country and beyond.

Speaking about the choir's trip,Gareth Thomas, Gwynedd Council cabinet member for economic and community development, said: “The aim of this marketing campaign is to raise awareness of Wales in international markets and highlight our variety of attractions.

“Working with Côr Eryrod Meirion is an exciting opportunity for us to show that Wales is unique and that we are promoting our country as a major destination at an international festival.”

Cllr Thomas said “one of the main challenges” for marketing Wales in the tourism sector is to do so “in a simple, modern and attractive way”.

“It’s time to celebrate these features on a local, national and international stage, and being able to work with the Côr Eryrod Meirion allows us to do this."