WE CAN DO IT!
Huge support for Caernarfon bid to stage Eisteddfod 2021
THERE was overwhelming support to stage the National Eisteddfod in the streets of Caernarfon in 2021. Wales’ biggest cultural festival has already been invited to the castle town by the Royal Town Council and officials organised a public meeting to gauge public support.
More than 100 people packed into the town council chamber to discuss the proposal.
Ann Hopcyn said the week-long event is due to be held in Gwynedd that year, but no decision has been taken as to where the festival will be staged.
She said: “Caernarfon is one of the most Welsh towns and staging the Eisteddfod in the town would be an opportunity for us to share that Welsh pride with the rest of Wales.”
The Caernarfon Town councillor said the initiative to stage the Eisteddfod in the town had come from the successful food festival, which has been held annually since 2016.
“It is an exciting and lively festival which attracted more than 35,000 people last May. It proves that Caernarfon can host a big event.
“We know that the Eisteddfod is a bigger event that goes on for longer but we are confident Caernarfon can rise to the challenge.”
Cllr Ioan Thomas, who was Mayor last May, said he met the Eisteddfod officials and accompanied them on a tour of the town.
“We knew the Eisteddfod was to be staged in Cardiff Bay this year and we invited Eisteddfod officials to attend the food festival so they could see for themselves.
“They toured the town and saw the crowds of people and we discussed the various buildings that are available and which buildings may be needed to be sited.”
He said it was likely a pavilion would need to be erected and possible sites were discussed.
Ann Hopcyn added there were significant challenges ahead but was confident they could be met and overcome.
“The town council are anxious to stage a festival that is open to all,” she said.
Some of the people at the meeting were keen to see the entire area welcome the festival while others warned against putting too much emphasis on a street festival.
After further discussion the meeting agreed, in principle, to support the idea of staging the Eisteddfod in the town and further work will be done to identify buildings and sites which can be used to host Eisteddfod events.