In 1861, Alaw Goch was one of the leading figures in organising the Aberdare National Eisteddfod, an important milestone in the development of the Eisteddfod as the first festival for the whole of Wales
Alaw Goch, or David Williams, was the owner of coal mines in Aberdare as well as being an enthusiastic supporter of Welsh culture and the Eisteddfod. And tonight, he comes back to life to discuss his life and career!
Cwmni Ad/Lib Cymru presents 'A night in the company of Alaw Goch' with Ieuan Rhys and Danny Grehan at the Tipi in Maes D at 18:45. The presentation is repeated on Tuesday at the same time.
I wonder what Alaw Goch would think of the Eisteddfod in the year 2024?
Rhondda author and illustrator, Siôn Tomos Owen, will read seven short stories over the week, one a day, from his second volume of short stories for foundation level learners.
There are 18 stories in the book 'Y Fawr a’r Fach 2: Mwy o Straeon o’r Rhondda', each based on the villages of the Rhondda Fawr and the Fach and full ofSiôn’s funny stories and his childhood in the Rhondda Valley. You can hear him share his stories in the Tipi at 14:00 from today until Saturday.
A full day of competition in the Pavilion with the brass band championship and the under 16 instrumental Blue Ribbon is sure to attract attention.
There’s also solo cerdd dant, folk song and solo singing competitions for young competitors aged under 12. And this afternoon, sit back, relax and enjoy 14 new choirs compete in a brand new competition introduced this year.
Come and watch community clips from Rhondda Cynon Taf from the BBC archive in Sinemaes at 13:00. Then at 15:00 there’s a screening of clips from the Screen and Sound Archive from the county, and curated by local groups. Come and see during the week – there’ll be a different theme every time.
In the Pentref Plant all day, and all week, there’s a chance forour youngest visitors to learn new skills such as juggling, diablo, spinning plates and hula hoops as well as doing activities such as building a tent, hammocks and roasting marshmallows.
There’s a tribute session to the late Gareth Miles, author, teacher, union officer and one of the founders of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, in the Literary Pavilion today. He died in September last year aged 85.
Born in Caernarfon, he grew up in the nearby village of Waunfawr before settling in Pontypridd. He was an English and French teacher before becoming the national organiser of the National Union of Teachers of Wales (UCAC). He won the Book of the Year award in 2008 for his novel ‘Y Proffwyd a'i Ddwy Jesebel’.
Eifion Glyn will reminisce about him and discuss his work and life with Lisabeth Miles, Hywel Griffiths and Angharad Tomos in the Literary Pavilion at 12:30.
On the Maes around 14:00, and again at 17:00, National Dance Company of Wales and Amped Up Academy, Penrhys will present 'Dreams'.
The fun dance was created by young people from the academy and movement artists Sandra Harnishch-Lacey and Kyle Stead to ask the important question - what are your dreams?
Amped up Academy is part of the National Dance Company Wales’ project, 'Beyond Asking', which aims to create positive change in the village of Penrhys through cultural activities, led by voices in the community.
Eädyth will be chatting with broadcaster Huw Stephens in the Literary Pavilion at 16:00 about his recent book, Cymru: 100 Record (Y Lolfa), which analyses popular and interesting records by Welsh artists, in English and Welsh.
Among Huw's favourites are records by Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Dafydd Iwan, Max Boyce, Development, Maffia Mr Huws, Llwybr Laethog, Manic Street Preachers, Super Furry Animals, Adwaith and Mace the Great
And to end a busy day on the Maes why not head over to the Literary Pavilion at 19:30 for a good laugh with some of Wales' best comedians?
Tudur Owen brings an hour of fun to a close with Dan Thomas, Caryl Burke, Eleri Morgan and Carwyn Blayney.