The people of Wales will never forget 21 October 1966, the day when 116 children and 28 adults were killed in the mining village of Aberfan. Wales will also never forget the strength and bravery of this close knit community, and admire their determination to rebuild their community, their quest to get to the truth of what happened and to learn from it.

As a lasting tribute to the community’s dignity and strength, S4C commissioned a new choral work by the world-renowned composer Sir Karl Jenkins.

Cantata Memoria is a striking and emotional piece with light as a central theme for the whole work. The piece remembers the tragedy which brought a community to its knees. But, at the same time, it looks forward to the future with hope. It’s a testament to the strength of the community which has rebuilt itself a new following the tragedy, and has fought for justice and to turn darkness into light.

The libretto is provided by chaired bard Mererid Hopwood with words in Welsh, Latin and English.

The complete work was premiered at a memorial concert at the Wales Millennium Centre on Saturday 8 October and broadcast on S4C the following night.

S4C press release.