With only 200 days to go until the 2024 Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod begins, the competitions portal has opened for the composition and stage competitions
Organisers have also announced more details on the competitions pattern for the week.
Registering to compete is easy, and everything you need is published on the festival’s website, www.eisteddfod.wales. The closing date for composition competitions and Y Lle Celf is 1 April, and registration for stage competitions closes on 1 May.
The preliminary competitions programme was published in December, and today is a chance for chair of the local Executive Committee, Helen Prosser, to outline some of the exciting plans for the festival, held in Parc Ynyangharad, Pontypridd in August.
She said, “We’re delighted that it’s now the year of the Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod. We’ve waited a long time to say this, since discussions began back in 2017. At last, there’s only 200 days to go until we’re welcoming everyone to the Maes for a taste of Valleys and national culture on a warm and welcoming Maes.
“This year’s competitions programme is exciting. We’ve already announced that there’s a daily choral competition on the Pavilion stage, and we’re pleased to let everyone know about a series of evenings combining competing and performances by former-winners and artists during the week.
“There’ll be a clear focus on various themes during these evenings, including folk, choral and an evening of performances and competitions showcasing young talents. The competitions have been a central part of all the local and national discussions as we’ve been considering the kind of festival we want to host in Rhondda Cynon Taf. And it’s great to share more information with everyone – with much more to come over the next few months.
“We’re also pleased to announce the details of this year’s Welsh Learner of the Year competitions and the Sir TH Parry-Williams Medal and Science and Technology Medal. The Welsh Learner of the Year and Sir TH Parry-Williams Medal are sponsored by Menter Iaith Rhondda Cynon Taf, and the Science and Technology Medal is sponsored by Addysgwyr Cymru.
“The closing date for these is 1 April, and we’re looking forward to receiving plenty of entries and nominations, celebrating contributions in areas which are so important to us a nation.
“Our message is simple for the next few months. Come and compete and join the fun. It’s going to be a week to remember and treasure forever, so come to our national festival held in our area in 2024.”
The competitions portal opens at 18:00 on Tuesday 16 January. The Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod is held in Pontypridd from 3-10 August. For more information and to compete, go to www.eisteddfod.wales.