For us in Wales, the first week of August is ‘wythnos ‘Steddfod’ (Eisteddfod week), and it’s just as true this year, with over 200 events and activities held over the coming week.
This year is, of course, different, as we can’t get together on the ‘traditional’ Eisteddfod Maes, but the safety of visitors, volunteers, performers and the staff is paramount to the festival, which usually attracts over 150,000 visitors over the week. The aim is to hold the Ceredigion National Eisteddfod next year, two years later than originally planned.
Last year’s AmGen ran from mid-May until August while this year’s programme concentrates on the week itself, with all kinds of events and activities across the Maes, which are sure to appeal to the widest audience possible.
And this year’s festival isn’t just an on-screen experience. Over the weekend, we’ll be stepping into the magical world of live music for the first time for almost a year and a half, as we host the Eisteddfod Gudd. This is the largest virtual music festival ever held in the Welsh language, with nearly fifteen hours of live streaming music starting at 14:00 on Saturday afternoon.
With COVID restrictions starting to relax by now, a limited number of people have been lucky enough to get their hands on the hottest tickets in town, and will be in the audience to watch the live performances in Aberystwyth. The best way to make sure you don’t miss a moment of the weekend is by watching the free livestream at home or with friends in the garden.
Among those performing live in Aberystwyth are Eden, Alffa, Welsh at the West End, Georgia Ruth and Band Pres Llareggub, with sessions on location by Bryn Fôn a’r Band, Huw Chiswell, Kim Hon, Lily Beau and much more streaming during the weekend.
On Monday, the events and activities start across the ‘Maes’, with everything available on the Eisteddfod website and YouTube channel. All the favourites are here, including the Literary Pavilion, Societies, Tŷ Gwerin, Encore, the Pentref Dysgu Cymraeg and much more.
And unlike this year, competitions are back, and are being broadcast on S4C and BBC Radio Cymru every afternoon. Competitors joined us at Pontio, Bangor and St David’s Hall recently, with some also competing from home, due to COVID limitations. There’s also been a whole host of composition competitions, and the main winners will be honoured during special ceremonies broadcast live from the BBC’s centre in Central Square, Cardiff.
The Drama Medal is Monday’s main event, and then on Tuesday night, we'll find out if there's a winner for this year's Daniel Owen Memorial Prize. From Wednesday night, the Gorsedd join us, with the Crowning ceremony on Wednesday night, the Prose Medal on Thursday and the Chair on Friday night. Organisers, the Gorsedd and broadcasters have been working together for months to create the ceremonies, which will be just as dignified as ever, if somewhat scaled down due to restrictions.
Looking ahead to the week, Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Betsan Moses, said, “We're really looking forward to a great week. Following the success of AmGen last year, we were determined to develop the programme further, and I think we’ve managed to do it!
“I’d like to thank everyone who’s been involved in the project, all the artists and performers, our committees and volunteers for their wise advice and help over the past few months, and to the hundreds of competitors, adjudicators and accompanists, who’ve been so busy preparing.
“I’d particularly like to thank the team who’s brought the whole programme together again this year. It’s been incredibly hard work, but we’ve all enjoyed it, and I very much hope this enjoyment shines through when everyone at home gets to see what we’ve been up to for the past few months. Diolch yn fawr iawn.”
Full details available here, www.eisteddfod.wales/amgen. Eisteddfod AmGen is available online, on screen, on radio and on demand.