The National Eisteddfod, Europe's oldest and largest touring cultural event, celebrates its 850th anniversary this week at Eisteddfod y Garreg Las near Cardigan in Pembrokeshire. The festival, which runs from 1 to 8 August, features more than 1,000 events and is expected to attract 150,000 visitors. This year's edition marks a historic homecoming, returning to the site where Lord Rhys ap Gruffydd, a medieval Welsh prince, held the first recorded eisteddfod in 1176.
Lord Rhys Returns as a 5-Metre Puppet
Creative director Marc Rees has brought Lord Rhys back to life as a 5-metre puppet, created with community input by Cardigan's Theatr Byd Bach. The puppet has been touring the area after being 'awoken' from his deep sleep in St David's Cathedral, visiting towns and villages in the run-up to the festival's opening. Travelling with him are this year's crown and chair, the traditional prizes for the best free-verse poem, as well as Teifi, his faithful hunting dog.
Rees describes the eisteddfod as 'Glastonbury on wheels', highlighting its vibrant mix of music, poetry, and dance. This year's lineup includes the Super Furry Animals, among other notable acts. 'It has a different character every year and it's always so joyful,' he adds.
A Festival with Deep Historical Roots
Lord Rhys ap Gruffydd, a powerful medieval ruler, banished Norman invaders from his lands, made peace with King Henry, and rebuilt Cardigan castle in stone. In 1176, he hosted a grand tournament inviting bards and musicians to compete under his patronage, establishing the tradition of the eisteddfod, which means 'sitting together'. After his time, bardic schools were closed during the Edwardian conquest, and eisteddfodau fell into abeyance until a revival in the 18th century, thanks to London-based Welsh literary societies.
The modern iteration owes much to the Gorsedd Cymru, a secret society of poets, writers, and musicians influenced by druidism. Iolo Morganwg, who founded the Gorsedd, invented much of the eisteddfod's ancient lore while under the influence of laudanum, but his colourful creation proved enormously popular and lives on in today's pageantry.
Community Fundraising and Volunteer Effort
Since the location was announced in 2024, local fundraising committees have raised £400,000 for staging the event, and hundreds of volunteers have prepared the site near the village of Llantwd. John Davies, chair of the Eisteddfod y Garreg Las executive committee, hopes Lord Rhys would have enjoyed the trip. '850 years is a long time, and it is amazing that the eisteddfod is still developing and evolving every year and is a dynamic and modern festival that offers something for everyone,' he says.
Visitors like Naomi Chiffi, 45, from Tenby, see the eisteddfod as a homecoming. 'My kids are all in Welsh-medium education; the first Welsh school in Tenby opened a decade ago now. Events like this on our doorstep show them that the language is a living, fun thing,' she says. The Wilyman family from Haverfordwest echoed this sentiment; mum Elliw, 48, who is competing in several events, noted, 'We've been fundraising since February. It's so nice to see it all come together.'
A Celebration of Welsh Language and Culture
The eisteddfod remains a vital platform for the Welsh language, drawing participants and audiences from across the country and beyond. With its unique blend of tradition and modernity, the festival continues to evolve, offering something for everyone while honouring its 850-year legacy. As the event unfolds, it not only celebrates the past but also ensures the future of Welsh culture remains vibrant and accessible.
