Eisteddfod

Eisteddfod is a Welsh festival of literature, music, and performance. It brings together competitions, concerts, and performances and is held in various locations, with the National Eisteddfod of Wales being the largest and most prestigious event. The festival centers on Welsh-language artistic achievement and cultural celebration, though local and community eisteddfodau appear throughout Wales and in Welsh communities abroad.

The word eisteddfod comes from Welsh elements meaning to sit and to be, effectively describing a session or sitting together for artistic contest and celebration. In traditional practice, the main contests are the Chair for a long poem in strict metre in Welsh, and the Crown for free verse, with other prizes for prose, song, and drama. The festival also includes musical and choral competitions, storytelling, and dance, as well as informal performances on the Maes, the festival site.

Historically, eisteddfodau grew from medieval bardic traditions, but the modern festival was revived in the 18th and 19th centuries. A key influence was the creation of the Gorsedd of Bards by Iolo Morganwg in the late 18th century, which helped shape the ceremonial aspects now associated with the festival. The National Eisteddfod of Wales began in the 19th century, with the first national event typically dated to the 1860s, and since then it has become a central institution in Welsh culture and language revival.

Today, the Eisteddfod operates as a yearly competition and cultural festival, emphasizing the Welsh language and arts while welcoming participants from diverse backgrounds. Similar events also exist in Welsh communities around the world, reflecting the global reach of Welsh culture.