As the working week begins, things are getting busy on the Maes with the first of the week’s main ceremonies, the Crowning. But what else is there to see and do at the Eisteddfod today? Have a look at Eryl Crump’s highlights
Gorsedd Cymru will gather twice on the Maes during the day. At 10:00 – if the weather allows! – the first of two special ceremonies will be held to welcome new members.
Then in the afternoon, the Crowning Ceremony will take place in the Pavilion. This year’s competition theme is “Ruins”, and the task was to present a long poem or a collection of poems up to 250 lines. The Crown is one of the Eisteddfod’s highest honors, and it was designed and produced by Neil Rayment and Elan Rhys Rowlands in their workshop in Cardiff Bay. This is the first time the Crown has been created by the same craftspeople for two consecutive years. The ceremony begins at 16:00, but it’s important to arrive in good time to secure a seat.
The Studio is a multipurpose space for auditions and previews during the day, and a stage for small concerts and live performances. At 14:00, there will be a chance to enjoy a recital of contemporary Welsh works by Llŷr Williams, the international pianist from Rhosllannerchrugog. The recital includes the first public performance of four works by Brian Hughes, as well as the piece “The time of the singing birds” by Rhian Samuel, and works by Richard Elfyn Jones and Geraint Lewis. Before the recital, there will be an opportunity to ask Llŷr about his early influences and musical upbringing in Rhos, with everything taking place in Encore at 12:15.
Is Huw Morys from Dyffryn Ceiriog Wales’ most forgotten great poet? Come and listen to Dr Eurig Salisbury discuss his research in the Literature Tent at 13:00. A poet of the people and the “victors,” Sir Thomas Parry described Huw Morys’s poems as “revolutionary.”
Over in the Tŷ Gwerin, we’ll hear about John Parry, the blind harpist from Rhiwabon, one of Elinor Bennett’s heroes. She will pay tribute to him by presenting arrangements of tunes from his collections and some of his original works, with a few other harpists joining the session as well. It starts at 13:30.
Of the thousands of photos taken by Geoff Charles, photographer for Y Cymro for many years, one of the most striking was of Richard (Carneddog) and Catrin Griffith leaving their farm in Nanmor near Beddgelert in 1947. The first performance of the concept album Carneddi by Iestyn Tyne will take place at 19:45 in the Tŷ Gwerin.
The album, recorded live over three days at Stiwdio Sain, was inspired by the famous photo and combines traditional Welsh fiddle tunes with new compositions, original words and poems written by Carneddog and his contemporaries, hymn tunes, and spoken verses. Gwilym Bowen Rhys, Gwenan Gibbard, and Simmy Singh will join Iestyn to perform.
At 18:00 in Caffi Maes B, Theatr Cymru and Theatr Clwyd will present Wrecslam!, four new short plays rooted in northeast Wales. It follows the success of Rŵan/Nawr in 2023 and Ha/Ha last year, strengthening the relationship between Theatr Cymru and Theatr Clwyd to develop and produce light-hearted short Welsh plays.
Come to Encore at 19:30 to wish a very happy birthday to the iconic show Les Misérables, which turns 40 this year. Stifyn Parri will chat with performers who have been part of the show, including Luke McCall and Mared Williams.
And to close the day, we’ll celebrate the life of Dewi Pws Morris, one of Wales’ great characters, on the Maes Stage at 21:00. Dewi passed away after a short illness a few days after last year’s Eisteddfod in Rhondda Cynon Taf, and his friends and contemporaries decided to hold a special evening to remember him. Band Tŷ Potas, Pedair, Elidir Glyn, Gwilym Bowen Rhys, Linda Griffiths, Rhys Gwynfor, Meibion Carnguwch, Cleif Harpwood, Hefin Elis, and more will be part of the special evening, Nwy yn y Nen.