"In August 2009, Beatriz Souviron the Bolivian Ambassador to the UK will join visitors to a Machynlleth festival of Latin American music and culture. She will be there to bring greetings and support to a celebration of indigenous culture in Latin America and Wales at the heart of the festival.

The festival is known by its Spanish name El Sueno Existe- in English "The Dream lives on" and in Welsh "Mae'r freuddwyd yn fyw". It is inspired by the life and music of Chilean singer and song writer, Victor Jara, who has become a legend in Latin America, and indeed worldwide.

Victor Jara championed the indigenous people of Latin America. So the festival will give a central place to this aspect of Latin American music and culture. Bolivia whose President, Evo Morales, is the first indigenous head of state in the continent has been in the vanguard. A new Constitution which followed his election is an inspiration to all countries that seek to re- establish the rights of indigenous people, recognising the place their language and culture in the life of the nation.

On Friday 14 August the day will offer a Welsh perspective in response to Bolivia's great step forward. Speakers invited include Luzmila Carpio a notable Quechuan singer and political leader from Bolivia and Dafydd Iwan, singer and political leader from Wales. In words, song and performance the festival will explore the place of indigenous and minority language cultures in the modern world.

El Sueno Existe offers a new perspective for people from outside Wales to understand the vital significance of the Welsh language. For Welsh speakers on the platform and in the audience it is an unusual opportunity to present their case in an international cultural context.

Throughout the festival the themes of this introductory day will weave through the music with films, performances, demonstrations,dance workshops and other events relating to Latin America and Welsh language and culture.

Artists include Sofia Buchuck, Peruvian Quechuan singer with her band Killa Raymi and Welsh bard and musician Twm Morus with his band Bob Delyn. Multi ethnic South American band Kausary with their heady mix of Andean folk and jazz fusion will top the bill on the Saturday night.

The festival has a reputation of being family-friendly and inclusive. During the weekend of the 14-16 August the town of Machynlleth will resound with the rich mixture of the indigenous languages and culture along with representatives of various environmental, spiritual and human rights groups who will be present."

Tickets are available online from the El Sueno Existe which has a link on the right hand side of this page at £25 before 1 June; £30 thereafter."

Article written by Tony Corden