Evan, born in Caerphilly in 1809, moved to Pontypridd in 1847 to run a woolen factory on the banks of the Taff.
He wrote the words and James the melody in 1856. "Glan Rhondda", as it was originally called, was performed for the first time in the town of Maesteg by Elizabeth John.
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau was heard as the national anthem at the start of a rugby match between Wales and New Zealand in Cardiff in 1905, this was the first time that this had ever happened at the start of a sporting match.
The All Blacks began to perform the Haka and as a response to that, the Welsh players, with the crowd supporting them, began to sing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.
The score at the end of the game was 3-0 for Wales and therefore the future of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau as a national anthem was secured.
The earliest written version continues to exist in the National Library of Wales.
Following numerous discussions with local artistic committees, the National Eisteddfod commissioned a team of people to create a project by the local people to celebrate the anthem this year.
A special Mural and an immersive Soundscape was created, to be be exhibited on the back wall of what used to be the home of Evan and James James, on Mill Street in Pontypridd as part of the Eisteddfod's visit.
The mural’s graffiti artist's, T 2 Sugars, was inspired by pupils of Rhondda. Cynon and Taf primary schools and the Soundscape was created by Screentales from Treherbert, capturing conversations with tens of children from primary schools in the Eisteddfod's catchment area, as well as a variety of people from Rhondda, Cwm Cynon and Taf.
The fruits of some of these conversations will be heard interwoven with various musical renditions of the anthem by individuals and local choirs in the form of a special Soundscape.
One of the descendants of the Jameses, Geraint James, is heard stating on the Soundscape that the words are believed to have been created as a response to a letter from two of Evan's brothers who encouraged members of the family to leave Wales and emigrate to the United States.
On Saturday 10 August, 19:30 in the Pavilion, the Soundscape will be heard once again, and this will lead to a performance of a new musical commission, "Gwlad" conducted by the composer himself, Eilir Owen Griffiths.
A work inspired by poems written by local poets, Mari George, Christine James, Delwyn Siôn and Aneurin Karadog, all titled "Gwlad".
The work will be performed by a vocal ensemble of former Eisteddfod winners as well as a chamber orchestra of musicians from Sinfonia Cymru and the National Youth Orchestra of Wales.
We really look forward to hearing it.
Thank you to everyone who was part of the Anthem project for their valuable contributions.
