TAKE a look back at a memorable week in Denbigh for the first, in person, Urdd Eisteddfod in three years.
Organisers have reported a record attendance of 118,000 visiting y maes during the week long festival.
Crowds were no doubt swelled by the Welsh Government's financial support, which ensured there was free admittance to the site for the week, but also the attraction of returning to the maes for the first time since 2019 when the event was held at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay.
With the pandemic having written off nearly all events in 2020 and many throughout last year last week's Urdd Eisteddfod has been described as the first, and largest, national cultural event held for the young people of Wales since the beginning of the pandemic.
Thousands of competitors from across Wales also had the opportunity to perform on stage in one of the three pavilions as the Urdd offered ‘a stage for everyone’ for the very first time, an experiment which has been judged a “major success” by organisers.
Previously the event had just one llwyfan (stage) in a single main pavillion. But after two years when competitions were held online, with competitors doing so from home in what was renamed an Eisteddfod Ty, extra stages were put on so as many could sample the experience as possible.
The winner of the cadair, or chair, was Ciarán Eynon with Gruff Gwyn from Machen, Caerphilly, and Tegwen Bruce-Deans from Llandrindod in third.
Ciarán, who is originally from Rhos-on-Sea, Conwy and now living in London, met the challenge of composing a poem or strict metre or vers libre poems, of no more than 100 lines on the theme: ‘Thank you’.
A response to the pandemic, grappling with parents’ divorce and sexuality were the themes of the top three poems.
Another inovation this year was the introduction of the Triban Festival which featured contemporary Welsh language music, comedy and drama. It was also hailed as a chance for a huge reunion for those who've previously competed through the Urdd, many who were performing during Triban having gone on to continue their careers in the arts.
Siân Lewis, chief executive of Urdd Gobaith Cymru said: “Free entry has helped attract more visitors and competitors from all parts of Wales. We’ve seen such a diverse audience attend the Eisteddfod – it really has been a festival for all.”
READ MORE: ‘Maker space’ used to create 2022 Urdd Eisteddfod Chair
Siân Eirian, director of the Urdd Eisteddfod and the arts said: “As organisers we’re delighted that the experiment of having three pavilions rather than one, and to offer a stage for everyone, has been a major success and welcomed by our competitors. We will continue with this development as we organise Carmarthenshire’s Urdd Eisteddfod in 2023.
“Several new and exciting elements have been introduced on the Eisteddfod Maes this year, but as all good events, the Urdd will assess and evaluate all developments before deciding which new elements will be adopted next year and into the future.
“We’re extremely grateful to all the teachers, trainers, parents, and carers for working so hard to teach, create and train the competitors over the last few months, ensuring the high standard and success of this very special Eisteddfod. I would also like to thank all our sponsors and partners for their support, and of course, to all the staff and volunteers for all their hard work.”
Next year the Urdd Eisteddfod will be held in Carmarthenshire between May 29 and June 3.
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