Krishnapriya Ramamoorthy is the producer of Spirit Fest, Paallam’s International Spirit Festival 2026:
Building bridges in Wrexham through world-class, accessible art
“Wrexham is known internationally for its football, and it is now looking towards becoming UK City of Culture 2029. In 2019, my family and I made what we thought would be a temporary move here from New York. Instead, in 2022, we made a conscious decision to stay, because I found a city where I felt at home and deeply connected to the community.
“As a dancer and martial artist, I spent time observing the cultural landscape of north Wales when I first moved here. I quickly realised there were very few professional opportunities for dancers and movement artists to build sustainable careers in north Wales. While community art was abundant – with the likes of Ty Pawb thriving – I realised there was a lack of clear professional pathways for dance and movement artists to treat their practice as a career rather than a hobby.
“That understanding led to the creation of our dance and movement organisation, Paallam – which means bridge in Tamil. Since our incorporation in 2022, we have evolved from a digital-first company into a vital network connecting local and national talent with high-calibre international artists and collectives. My goal is to build those bridges now, creating the foundations so future creatives in Wales have opportunities that simply weren’t there before.
“Through Paallam, we have continuously brought art directly to the streets and engaged people who might not otherwise see themselves reflected in the arts, proving that art can become part of everyday life. Four years on from our inception, we believe in Wrexham’s potential to host socially engaged, world-class movement art that is accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or previous experience.
“Long before Paallam was formally incorporated in 2022, I had been championing the belief that dance and movement belong to everyone. Spirit Fest has become our most visible expression of that vision. It is a free, inclusive celebration of creativity that continues to grow in scale and ambition year on year.
This July, I am thrilled that Spirit Fest is returning to Queen’s Square for its fourth edition. On Saturday, 18 July, from 10.30am until 6.30pm, we will transform Queen’s Square into a stage for everyone, celebrating dance and movement in Wrexham’s free flagship international outdoor festival.
“Spirit Fest 2026 will be a vibrant, energetic event that will reflect the very best of our city. We’ll be offering residents and visitors alike the opportunity to watch, participate in, and enjoy an experience like no other. Our programme brings together different artforms in an accessible, welcoming place, featuring artists from Wales, Ireland, India, Spain, and beyond.
This year’s highlights include:
● The first-ever Wrexham performance by NoFit State Circus, Wales’ internationally acclaimed contemporary circus company.
● Performances from festival favourite, Kitsch n Sync Collective, who bring a unique mix of comedy, physical theatre, and street performance.
● Performances by Ayodhana Kalarippayattu Gurukul from India.
● A specially commissioned site-specific work by Irish company Cikada Circus, created for and inspired by Wrexham’s streets.
“We are also expanding the festival itself. On Friday 17 July, Spirit Fest will host its first ticketed international conference – Spirit Fest Gathering. This event will bring together artists, producers, and cultural organisations to explore a collective conversation on outdoor arts in Wales under the theme, Outdoor Arts in Wales: Why It Matters Now. Together we’ll explore why outdoor arts matter now, share knowledge and resources, and create new opportunities for collaboration among artists working across Wales.
“For one day this summer, Queen’s Square will become a place where international artists, local people, and Wrexham’s visitors come together to share their stories and culture.
“I hope Spirit Fest 2026 will show what’s possible when world-class artists and local communities create something together.”
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Find out more about the festival here: paallamarts.org/spirit-fest-26
Book your tickets for Spirit Fest Gathering here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/paallam-spirit-fest26-gathering-tickets-1992564287422
