This summer, a series of special celebrations will mark 850 years
since the first National Eisteddfod was held, providing an
opportunity to celebrate Wales's rich cultural heritage and
encouraging more people to take part in Welsh language events.
Supported by £250,000 of Welsh Government funding, alongside a
grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the programme will
bring the story of the first Eisteddfod to life through
educational, creative and community activities. It aims to
inspire people to use the Welsh language, participate in cultural
events and bridge the past and the present.
The first recorded Eisteddfod was hosted by Lord Rhys ap Gruffudd
at Cardigan Castle in 1176, with poets and musicians competing in
what became the foundation of the modern tradition. This year's
Eisteddfod y Garreg Las in Llantood takes place less than four
miles from the site of the 1176 gathering, creating a direct link
between past and present.
There is a strong community element to the activities in the
run-up to the Eisteddfod, with a pilgrimage led by a giant puppet
of Lord Rhys visiting villages across the area on its journey
from St Davids to Cardigan Castle.
There will also be an opportunity for local children to enjoy an
interactive production about the history of Lord Rhys,
introducing the roots of the Eisteddfod to a new generation and
encouraging them to take an interest in our culture.
The Eisteddfod week (1–8 August) will also feature a wide range
of activities and events celebrating 850 years, blending past and
present across its various platforms.
The investment will also support a digital campaign to extend the
celebrations online, raising the profile of the Eisteddfod and
introducing its story to new audiences across Wales and
internationally.
As Wales' largest cultural event, the Eisteddfod attracts
hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The funding will
support the Eisteddfod's work to introduce further practical
measures to cut emissions and help the festival continue to lead
the way as the first festival in Wales to reach net zero.
The Eisteddfod's Chief Executive, Betsan Moses,
said: "We are very grateful to the Welsh Government for their
support in enabling us to mark such a special anniversary in the
Eisteddfod's history. There will be highly visible elements to
the programme, and the parade across the local area will
certainly raise awareness of the festival, our language and our
culture as it travels.
"We are also grateful for the support for our sustainability
work, which is a crucial element of the Eisteddfod project.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language,
, said:
“The Eisteddfod has shaped Welsh language and culture for
generations, inspiring some of our most talented artists and
supporting local communities and the wider economy.
“I'm proud to support these anniversary events. They honour the
past, celebrate the Welsh language and culture today, and
introduce the Eisteddfod to new audiences from across Wales and
beyond.”
Notes to editors
- The National Lottery Heritage Fund will also support the
celebrations with a financial contribution, alongside funding
from the National Eisteddfod of Wales's own resources.
- Further details of the programme of events will be announced
by the Eisteddfod in the coming weeks and months
