The National Eisteddfod is held every year in Wales during the month of August.It’s an important aspect of Wales’ cultural heritage and is enjoyed by many people across the world today. Not only is its history unique and fascinating, but it also gives insight into the singular tradition and culture that encompasses the music and poetry in Wales.Read on to learn more about this unique festival of poetry and music!History Of The EisteddfodThe festival of Eisteddfod celebrates poetry, song, and dance in Wales. While it is specific to Welsh culture, a lot of non-Welsh speakers also enjoy the festival as well.The origin of the term ’eisteddfod’ comes from two different terms. The first is ’eistedd’, which means ’to sit’, while the second is ‘fod’, which means ’to be’. Thus, the term ’eisteddfod’ can be translated to mean ‘sitting together.‘As per tradition, there is a decorated, hand-carved chair which is offered to the winner of the award for the best poet of the year. The term ‘Eisteddfod,’ therefore, also refers to this chair, which becomes like a throne for the winner.The wonderful tradition of awarding the seat to the best of the poets is called ‘The Crowning of the Bard’.The first National Eisteddfod of Wales was held at Cardigan Castle in 1176. Lord Rhys ap Gruffydd of Deheubarth invited Welsh artists, specifically musicians and poets, and announced that a chair at his table would be offered to the best musician and the best poet. Thus began the tradition of the National Eisteddfod!Over the years, the festival traveled from its original home of Cardigan to different cities across Wales. Today, the National Eisteddfod alternates between North and South Wales.The popularity of bardic poetry itself fell over the years, but the festival of Eisteddfod saw a revival during the 19th century, when poetry became more relevant again, especially in light of the romantic poets who gained tremendous popularity at that time.The National Eisteddfod Association was formed in 1880 to ensure that the National Eisteddfod is held every single year without fail.Only twice in the history of the National Eisteddfod of Wales has it not been held. The first time was during the First World War in 1914 and the second time was during the Second World War in 1940.Events In EisteddfodThere are many events in each Eisteddfod, with the most important being the announcement of the prize winners! The prize winning ceremonies are fascinating and steeped in tradition.Although originally prize winning recognition was limited to being able to share a seat with those in power, in 1819, the Gorsedd of Bards (which in Welsh is called Gorsedd y Beirdd) was announced as the official prize for the best artist, whether they are a musician, or a poet, or any other type of artist.The word Gorsedd means a meeting of modern-day bards, including poets, song writers and singers, story tellers and other forms of artist.On the stage at Eisteddfod are various members of the festival association wearing clothes that are blue, green, or white. These people are called Druids, and the color of their robes indicates their rank within the group.The Archdruid is the head of the Gorsedd of Bards. He conducts all the necessary Gorsedd ceremonies during the week of the annual Eisteddfod.The responsibilities for the Archdruid include the following ceremonies: the Crowning of the Bard (Coroni’r Bardd), which is given the best poet; the Prose Medal Award Ceremony, which is awarded to the writer who wins the prose competitions; the Chairing of the Bard (Cadeiro), which is awarded to the poet who writes the best long poem. The poet then comes to be called the bardic chair.The Archdruid, along with the rest of the association of the Gorsedd of Bards donning the ceremonial robes, announces the identity of the winning poet.An important prayer called the Druid or Gorsedd Prayer is chanted once the ceremonial trumpet (Corn Gwlad) is played. The Archdruid then asks the audience, ‘Is there peace?’ as he unsheathes a sword, not once but thrice (three times), possibly for a grandiose, dramatic effect. The audience then responds, ‘Peace.‘The Archdruid is then presented the Horn of Plenty by a young woman, who encourages him to drink the wine. The wine is called in Welsh ’the wine of welcome.’ And custom dictates that the woman needs to be a local married woman.Once this is done, another young girl presents the Archdruid with a basket of flowers ‘from the land and soil of Wales’.This is followed by the performance of a floral dance, based on the pattern of the flowers that have been gathered from the fields.The Gorsedd customs and ceremonies performed during the Eisteddfod are completely unique to North and South Wales!Significance Of EisteddfodWelsh poetry has been a matter of pride for the people of Wales ever since the first national Eisteddfod was held. If you visit the national Eisteddfod today, you will find a range of amazing experiences in this vibrant festival!The National Eisteddfod has well over 150,000 visitors each year and sets the stage for the most reputed poetry competition across South and North Wales.The Gorsedd of the Bards ceremonies are vibrant displays of unique Welsh culture, and the floral dance is particularly looked forward to by those who gathered to experience the beauty of this language!In 2018, the Donald Gordon Theatre was the main pavilion. It was located at the impressive Wales Millenium Centre, located at the heart of Cardiff Bay.The Gorsedd constitutes various poets and gives due recognition to those who have contributed in a significant way to the Welsh language, with a key focus on promoting the arts in all ways. It doesn’t limit itself just to writers but honors musicians as well.Some of the people who have been included in the Gorsedd include renowned opera singer Sir Bryn Terfel, the popular rugby athlete Jamie Roberts, as well as vocal artist Geraint Jarman.Although the first Eisteddfod took place centuries ago as a deliberate attempt to highlight the importance of Welsh culture, the ceremony remains impressive to this day and draws praise from across the world.Thanks to the great connectivity offered by the internet, people from distant cultures who have been interested in Welsh poets have been able to experience their writings in person as well as through their devices.In addition to this, there are specific locations at the festival where children can have a ball of a time!One of these locations is the Science Pavillion, where there are particularly colorful stalls that highlight various experiments as well as demonstrations, and a plethora of games to keep children on their toes! There are other child-friendly activities as well.In addition to this, the music and dance and food festivities continue till late evening, giving people a great chance to experience the best of the best of the Welsh!To festival offers a wide range of experiences, with various stalls and competitions held within individual tents. For example, in a live music tent or in a literature tent.For those who are learning the Welsh language or want to brush up their skills, there is a learner’s tent as well! Here, there will be a lot of Welsh people who will enthusiastically help anyone who wants to learn their native language.Other Eisteddfod EventsIn addition to the annual Eisteddfod event held in Wales each August, there are various events that continue the spirit of Eisteddfod across the world!There is a special rendition of the Eisteddfod organized just for the youth! This is called Urdd Eisteddfod, which translates literally into ‘youth Eisteddfod’, and changes between South and North Wales each year.As one of Europe’s largest youth festivals, the Urdd Eisteddfod gets as many as 90,000 visitors each year.Urdd Eisteddfod is typically held at the end of May each year.The youth Eisteddfod features over 12,000 students under the age of 25 who participate in competitions.To reach the National Urdd Eisteddfod, students have to first face other poets and musicians at the local and regional levels and defeat them. Quite a few students achieve glorious success even during their first Eisteddfod!The festival itself is typically held in a Pavillion, which can house up to 1,800 people at a time.Urdd Eisteddfod also provides entertainment and activities for parents. These include live bands, sports sessions, and interactions with local heroes and beloved TV characters.Beyond the Urdd Eisteddfod, there are other events held internationally, which seek to continue the tradition of honoring Welsh culture in their specific geographical locations.In Chubut, Patagonia, there are two Eisteddfod events held each year. This South American country is home to a thriving Welsh population.This tradition started in the late 1880s and features, much like the original, several competitions in music, arts, and writing.A unique feature of the Patagonian Eisteddfod events is that, in addition to the Welsh language, the competitions also take place in Spanish and English.In North America, there are many Eisteddfod events, with a notably historic one being held in San Francisco. It was held in the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915. Here, the winners, who went by the name Orpheus Club, came from Los Angeles and won $3000.Other events in North America include the West Coast Eisteddfod, which is now held online, the Welsh Heritage Week Cwrs Cymraeg, and the North American Festival of Wales held by the Welsh North American Association.
The National Eisteddfod is held every year in Wales during the month of August.
