With a few weeks only to go before the Monmouthshire and District National Eisteddfod, organisers have received a special trophy which will be presented for the first time this year.
The Sbardun Trophy will be presented for an original song in an acoustic style. Alun ‘Sbardun’ Huws was one of our most notable composers, and the aim is to mark his contribution to the Welsh language music and literature world.
The winner will receive the trophy, designed and created by artist, Carwyn Evans, to be kept for a year and £500. The trophy and the financial prize have been donated by Sbardun’s wife, Gwenno Huws, who said, “It’s an honour to set up a competition in Sbardun’s name at the National Eisteddfod and I thank the Eisteddfod for agreeing to the idea.
“Sbardun was a very creative man, and he would’ve loved this trophy, which is also a work of art. I am indebted to Carwyn for his work, and also to Geraint Evans for his work in co-ordinating the whole project.
“I hope the trophy will be given a worthy home every year and that the competition itself promotes Welsh language music, the music which was so incredibly important to Sbard.”
Carwyn Evans, the trophy’s designer, is a familiar name to Eisteddfodwyr. He won the Gold Medal for Fine Art in 2012, and the Young Artist’s Scholarship at the 2000 Eisteddfod. He was also awarded the Ivor Davies Prize in both 2003 and 2007. He felt honoured to be asked to create the trophy, and said, “The main vision for the trophy was to unite the creative processes whilst recognising Sbardun’s important contribution.
“When discussing a number of ideas, I came across a letter with Sbardun’s elegant signature – and from then onwards I knew that this legacy and the sign off from the man himself would be the perfect motif to be placed on the trophy.
“I’d met Sbardun when I contributed to items on the arts at the Eisteddfod. I was aware that he was a cultural heavyweight’ and I was struck by how generous and gentle he was – which is no surprise given how generous he was through all his work. This generosity and the legacy continue through this trophy.”
Accepting the trophy on behalf of the Eisteddfod, Elfed Roberts said, “The Eisteddfod is grateful to Sbardun’s family and friends for coming to us with the competition, and it is an honour for us to present the trophy this year as part of the Monmouthshire and District Eisteddfod.
“Sbardun’s contribution to Welsh music was immense, and it is fitting that we are able to offer a chance for individuals or groups to compose a song in a similar style to his work, in the name of the Eisteddfod.”
This year’s adjudicators were Emyr Huws Jones and Bryn Fôn, and we’ll find out whether there is a winner on Thursday 4 August at 16.00 at the Theatr on the Eisteddfod Maes as part of the ceremony honouring the winners in the Music Section.
The Monmouthshire and District National Eisteddfod is held on Castle Meadows, Abergavenny from 29 July – 6 August. For more information go to www.eisteddfod.wales.