The Welsh festival of Literature, music and performance returns, 840 years since its conception, to the Castle Meadows in Abergavenny from July 29 – August 6.
As one of the oldest arts festivals in the world, its history is created out of myth, legend and sprinklings of truth. The story goes, in 1176 Rhys ap Gruffydd of Deheubarth wanted to create an event where artists could perform and compete, so he called performers to his court in Cardigan. The artists competed for the Lord affections, and for the best poet and musician, a chair at the Lord’s table was awarded, thus the tradition was born. This annual event remained until the bardic tradition fell out of fashion.
The Eighteenth Century saw a revival of the long lost tradition with many informal eisteddfodau happening across the country. However, it was not until 1861 when the event was formally organised and recognised. It has been held every year since, apart from in 1914 due to the outbreak of World War One.
Now, the festival, held every year in the first week of August for eight days, attracts over 150,000 visitors annually to watch over 6,000 people compete in poetry, literature and prose. Interestingly, our welsh cousins in Patagonia also hold their own Eisteddfod every year, but the ceremonies are unique to Wales.
The central competition for the week, the Maes yr Eisteddfod (Eisteddfod field), has evolved to now have events and activities for the whole family, including crafts, books, music and food.
At Theatr y Maes (the theatre on the field), there will be music and radio competitions. There will also be a literature, societies and Welsh language Music tents.
The learners tent is set to be really interesting this year. For the second time, five Welsh learners have reached the final of the competition, instead of the usual four, because the standard was so high.
During the week, there are Three Gorsedd ceremonies to recognise the winners. The winner of the best free meter poet takes part in the Crowning of the Bard, the winner of the prose competition takes part in the Awarding of the Prose Medal and the most prestigious award is taken from the original conception of the event in 1176 when the winner was invited to take a chair at the Lord’s table.
The Charing of the Bard is the highest and most honoured award of the ceremony and is awarded for the best long poem. The ‘Awdl’ is written in a strict metre form known as cynghanedd and the standard entry for this competition is very high. If the judges feel the entries are not good enough, they can withhold the chair, as they did in 1889. Every year, a new bardic chair is specially designed and handmade by a local artist.
The ceremonies are bathed in tradition; members of the Gorsedd of the Bard complete the ceremony wearing special robes and when the Bard is announced a trumpet called Corn Gwlad is played, a prayer is chanted. A sword is withdrawn from its sheath three times while the question is asked ‘Is there peace?’ and the audience who have assembled, simply reply ‘Peace’.
After this the Horn of Plenty is given to a young married woman, who asks the Archdruid, the leader of the ceremony, to sip on the wine of welcome. Then a young girl presents him with flowers from the land and soil of Wales and performs a dance inspired by the flowers of the field.
Every year, the tradition of the Eisteddfod grows in popularity and fame. It is now known as one of the leading events of the Wales regeneration project which brings people of all ages and backgrounds to a different part of Wales every year. Most of Wales performers have begun their careers at the Eisteddfod, so you never know, you might bump into the next Charlotte Church or Rhian Edwards.
words ELOUISE HOBBS