Eisteddfod

Robin Owain won the National Eisteddfod chair in 1991

Since the twelfth century, the Welsh have gathered for meetings of music, performance and literature.

The first was held by Rhys ap Gruffydd at court in 1176, when he invited poets and musicians from across the country to perform for a grand gathering. The acts were judged, and the best was awarded a chair at the Lord’s table; something which is still done today. Most of the performers were paid by nobility and therefore professional – it was only later that less experienced acts were allowed to take part. While they were traditionally private gatherings, they now tend to be open to the public.

The National Eisteddfod is the largest competitive poetry and music festival in Europe, with usually 6000 competitors and over 150,000 visitors – and it’s all in the Welsh language. There is also the Youth Eisteddfod for youths aged 7-24, an International Eisteddfod, small eisteddfodau throughout Wales and more across the world.

If you’re very lucky, you may just get to witness one!