What's it All About?
What is the Eisteddfod?
The National Eisteddfod is a huge festival which lasts for just over a week at the beginning of August every year. It attracts over 170,000 visitors of all ages. With 200 competitions, it is the largest popular festival of competitive music making and poetry-writing in Europe. For thousands of Welsh men and women it is a 'must attend' event. Some come for a day. Others spend the whole week at the festival staying in local hotels and guest houses, caravans or tents and contributing to the local economy.
The purpose of the Eisteddfod is to promote the Welsh language, to encourage popular participation in artistic and cultural activities, and to provide enjoyment. The Welsh language and culture is what makes the Eisteddfod different from every other festival in the world. Welsh is the only official language used on stage in the main 3,500 seater pavilion and in the satellite pavilions. All, though, are welcome and those who do not speak Welsh are encouraged to follow the proceedings and even participate. Portable hand-sets provide a commentary in English in the Pavilion, printed programmes include English sections. One of the major successes of the Eisteddfod in recent years has been the growing level of support it has attracted amongst non-Welsh-speakers and learners. The National Eisteddfod is usually held in North and South Wales in alternate years.
Does Everything Happen on the Eisteddfod Field?
No. The Eisteddfod now has a huge official and unofficial 'fringe'. There are concerts and activities for young adults - shows, exhibitions and dramas. Maes B activities are for young people who enjoy live music. Maes C activities are for those looking for comedy, entertaining discussion and a dance.
How Old is the Eisteddfod?
The modern Eisteddfod goes back over a hundred years to 1881, but some aspects of the Eisteddfod are extremely old. In the packed main pavilion the winner of the competition for composing a 200 line poem is entitled to sit in a chair which then becomes his or her permanent possession. This tradition goes back over a thousand years when in the courts of the independent Welsh kings and princes, the official court poet had his seat or 'chair' in the royal household. The early eisteddfodau were really 'quality assurance' events aimed at making sure that high standards were maintained among poets and harpists
What is the Gorsedd of Bards?
Easily recognisable on the maes - the Eisteddfod field, the Gorsedd of Bards is an association of people interested in Welsh literature and music. The Gorsedd is responsible for the main ceremonies at the Eisteddfod. Its members dress in white, blue or green robes according to their rank or order and elect a leader who is known as the Archdruid.
The best known ceremonies, conducted on the field are the crowning and the chairing of the bard. A crown is presented to the author of the best ode in non-traditional metre, a chair for the author of the winning ode in traditional metre. These two ceremonies are regarded by many as the high points of the Eisteddfod.
Some believe that the Gorsedd can trace its history back to the ancient druids - but the first 'modern' ceremony was organised by Iolo Morganwg in 1792 - in London! Anyone can join the Gorsedd as long as he or she passes an examination (in Welsh) or gains a certain degree at university. Many former Welsh learners have become members. Membership of the Gorsedd is also an honour bestowed on worthy Welsh individuals.