Vikings and villages will be making a welcome return this year to St John’s and the Tynwald Day celebrations.

 

This year’s Tynwald Day celebrations at St John’s - all offered free of charge - will be marked with music, dance, art and heritage…and will also provide an opportunity to wish ‘Happy Birthday’ to Tynwald Ted, the parliamentary mascot of the Isle of Man.

Making welcome returns are the Vikings in Cooil y Ree, offering an insight in an ancient way of life that has shaped the Island’s history, and the One World Centre’s Global Village in the arboretum, a compelling mix of cultural influences from around the world, the Island’s international links and the work of Manx charities helping to transform the lives of others in the developing world.

A new face at St John’s will be that of Tynwald Ted, who will be celebrating his birthday and mingling with the crowds, inviting people to take ‘selfies’ with him, tag him on Instagram (search for ‘@TynwaldTed’) or send their images to photos@tynwald.org.im  After Tynwald Day Ted will choose one of the photos and present a gift token to the winner.

 

Bunscoill Gaelgagh will, once again, be a rich source of promoting Manx heritage and encouraging all generations to release their artist talents, offering free ‘Take Part in Art’ sessions to create a mosaic where children taking part can enter a prize draw to win the finished artwork for their school, as well as block-printing and crochet workshops.

 

All this alongside Manx music and dance, street theatre, butter-making demonstrations, an opportunity to discover more about Biosphere Isle of Man, which celebrates the Island’s UNESCO status as a world biosphere region, and the timeless appeal of the Sunset Ceremony performed by the Royal Artillery Band before the programme concludes with the Ellan Vannin Pipes and Drums performing on Tynwald Hill.

 

The President of Tynwald, the Hon Clare Christian, said: ‘This is the most special day in the life of the island, combining tradition, pageantry and fun. Why don’t you come and watch the Tynwald ceremony, wander around the Fair field stalls, picnic in the arboretum, enjoy the day’s entertainment programme and try all the activities? You can plan to spend the whole day at St. John’s, there is so much to do and if you haven’t been for a while, please come and join us on the 5th of July.‘