Urdd Eisteddfod gets under way at showground
The 2018 Urdd Eisteddfod opens in familiar surroundings for a summer festival today. The Brecon and Radnorshire festival is being hosted at the Royal Welsh Showground in Llanelwedd for the next six days.
Around 90,000 people are expected to visit the site over the half-term holiday, while festivities began last night with an opening concert featuring X Factor finalist Lloyd Macey.
Aled Siôn, Urdd Eisteddfod director said: “I would like to thank all those who live in the vast Brecon and Radnorshire region from the bottom of my heart preparing and raising money to ensure that this year’s Eisteddfod is a success.”
The event, which has grown into one of Europe’s largest youth festivals since first being held in 1929, last visited Brecon and Radnorshire in 1978.
The Urdd Eisteddfod takes around three years to plan and is produced through the hard work of local volunteers.
Across the course of the week 15,000 children and young people aged between five and 25 will have the chance to showcase their talents in a range of competitions celebrating the arts.
Over the last few months, local and regional competitions across Wales have taken place, which involved around 40,000 competitors being whittled down to 15,000.
Powys councillor Myfanwy Alexander, cabinet member for education and the Welsh language, said: “It is not an overstatement to say that the whole area has fallen under the Urdd’s spell.
“Volunteers have raised not only money for the eisteddfod itself, but have also raised awareness of it.
“There has been a significant increase in the number of competitors, especially from the Brecon and Radnorshire area, and the young people of Powys have already enjoyed successes in the art and craft competitions.
“The eisteddfod offers a platform for our talented young people, whether they be fluent in Welsh or learners, and also includes those in our special schools.
“It is a fantastic opportunity also to welcome visitors from all parts of Wales and beyond; we are confident that people will come to the Eisteddfod for a few days and, after seeing what Powys has to offer, will return to explore the area further.”
Expected highlights of the week include 120 talented young people from local primary schools coming together at the main pavilion on Tuesday to present Gerallt Gymro, a dramatic performance sprinkled with magic, local history and timetravel. Main ceremonies will take place in the pavilion at 4pm each day, when coveted prizes like the Chair and the Crown will be handed out to the festival’s champion bards.
Elsewhere, visitors can enjoy activities and attractions on the site, including 80 stands selling jewellery, books, arts and crafts and much more.
And there will be an array of food and drink stalls catering for all tastes.
The Gwyddonle science pavilion will host hands-on games, activities and demonstrations, and there will be a sports arena and live performances from well-known acts dotted around the showground.
The eisteddfod will close on Saturday with a concert by Welsh bands Candelas, Yr Eira, Y Cledra and Serol Serol.
Aled Siôn added: “Thank you to the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show for allowing us to use their exceptional site at Llanelwedd as home to the eisteddfod.
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming everybody here to enjoy the environment, the atmosphere and the warmest of welcomes.”
■ To see a full list of activities you can download the Eisteddfod app free from urdd.cymru/siop
■ Follow the Western Mail/WalesOnline.co.uk this week for news and results from the Maes