EISTEDDFOD GETS OFF TO A FLYING START WITH SIR BRYN
AFTER two years of planning, the National Eisteddfod opened in Cardiff Bay this weekend with a rousing performance from worldrenowned bass baritone Sir Bryn Terfel.
The Caernarfonshire-born opera singer took to the stage at the Wales Millennium Centre on Friday in Hwn yw fy Mrawd: Paul Robeson – Arwr i Gymru, Arwr i’r Byd (This Is My Brother: Paul Robeson – Hero to Wales, Hero to The World).
A musical biopic depicting the life of US actor, singer and activist Paul Robeson and his strong links with Wales and its mining communities in the early 1900s, the show marked the Eisteddfod’s return to the Welsh capital after a decade away – with some 160,000 visitors expected to be arriving to check out the action between now and next Saturday.
This year’s festival is set to host more than 1,100 individual events over an eight-day period and promises to have something for everyone taking place on the Maes.
A celebration of the Welsh language and culture of Wales, the aim of this summer’s “fence-free festival” – which refers to the fact it’s taking place in existing buildings rather than the usual temporary tents and stands – is to give the widest audience possible a taste of what the language has to offer.
Venues like the Senedd, the Pierhead Building, the Norwegian Church and the aforementioned WMC will all be all housing some amazing cultural spectacles and celebrations.
What is more, its chosen waterfront location is a homage to the spot where sailors from Africa, Europe and Asia once arrived in order to put down roots here – meaning that a warm welcome will be on hand to all visitors, whether they speak Welsh or not.
Bilingual signage and integrated simultaneous translation will also be available as a result.
And the 2018 line-up includes the best in Welsh music, literature, drama, dance, visual arts, food, science and technology and much more.
Already wowing the crowds has been Carnifal y Môr, an ambitious project combining music with all kinds of visual arts elements, which was showcased in a colourful carnival procession through Cardiff Bay late last evening.
Coinciding with the Year of the Sea celebrations, artist Megan Broadmeadow – in conjunction with Butetown Carnival – created a film which was projected on to huge water screens in front of the Senedd build- ing, while the music came courtesy of Super Furry Animals singer Gruff Rhys.
Also under way, but running all the way through this week, is SHWSH, a mysterious collection of secret gigs showcasing Welsh language music, all taking place around the city
Interested partygoers who text SHWSH to 6077 get instructions and information about the gigs sent directly to their mobile phones.
Acts to have featured so far have been celebrated singer-songwirter H. Hawkline, playing The Printhaus – the capital’s only community-based screenprint workshop – while wearing his sister’s dressing gown (appar- ently) and BBC Radio One DJ Huw Stephens spinning some discs as part of an exclusive club set.
In addition, when it comes to food and drink, the Maes also has something for everyone.
Its food village specialises in all kinds of street food, catering for a wide range of tastes, from vegan food, Indian meals, pizzas and more.
Plus, the Syched bar serves homegrown beer, ciders and wines and can be found near the Ty Gwerin, while the main bars are located in Roald Dahl Plass, close to the live stage.
For the first time, this year will feature a gin bar selling Welsh gin and spirits, just a short walk from the Senedd.
Among the other great stalls set to appear are Meat & Greek, The Welsh Creperie Co, The Spanish Buffet, No Bones Jones, The Grazing Shed, Thirsty Elephant Coffee Company, Chockshop and Lighthouse Fish & Chips.
To top it all off, visitors are encouraged to explore the Maes free of charge all day every day, so as to add to that air of inclusivity.
However, wristbands must be bought should you plan on attending the Eisteddfod’s events within the WMC – while entry to evening concerts and certain other happenings will require an additional specific ticket.
Go to www.eisteddfod.wales for more information