Today, (21 March) marks an important milestone in the countdown to the 2013 National Eisteddfod – there’s only 500 days to go before Europe’s largest travelling festival comes to Denbighshire and the surrounding area, attracting 150,000 – 160,000 visitors and held on Kilford Farm near Denbigh from 3-10 August next year.
Local committees are already hard at work across the area, raising awareness and organising fundraising events. The first ‘official’ event associated with the festival takes place in Denbigh on Saturday 23 June, the Proclamation Festival and Ceremony, giving local people and visitors alike a chance to enjoy a flavour of the festival, and a taste of what’s to come next year when the Eisteddfod is held locally.
According to tradition the intention to stage an Eisteddfod must be announced at least one year and a day before the actual Eisteddfod. The Gorsedd of the Bards along with representatives from local schools, institutions and societies will march through the town centre on their way to the proclamation ceremony.
During the ceremony, the first copy of the List of Competitions will be presented to the Archdruid T. James Jones by the Chair of the local Executive Committee, John Glyn Jones, and once the list has been presented, its contents is made public, and the work of preparing for the competitions can start. It’s a colourful and dignified way of showcasing the Eisteddfod and increasing awareness about what will take place in the area in 500 days time.
Eisteddfod Organiser, Hywel Wyn Edwards, says, “The local work started almost a year ago now, with promotional and fundraising events organised across the region. The support from local residents has been wonderful and we’re all looking forward to the festival next year.
“Celebrating 500 days to go makes the Eisteddfod appear very close, and of course, in three months time, we’ll be in Denbigh for the Proclamation Ceremony on 23 June, for a taste of what’s to come next year at the Denbighshire and District National Eisteddfod.”
Denbighshire County Council’s Corporate Director – Learning and Communities, Hywyn Williams, added, “We cannot believe that it is over a year since we started discussions with Eisteddfod officials about the possibility of the festival returning to our county. There was a tremendous amount of enthusiasm then, with the Council fully supporting the idea of welcoming people from all corners of Wales and beyond to sample what the county has to offer.
“The same enthusiasm is there today and the Council is pleased to be working with the Eisteddfod and local communities to arrange a festival to remember in 2013.”
There is a long and interesting history to the National Eisteddfod in the area, and 2013 will be the eleventh time for the Eisteddfod to visit the area we know as Denbighshire since 1861.
This is the area where the Chair and the Crown were won by women for the first time – officially at least – with Dilys Cadwaladr winning the Crown in 1953 in Rhyl, and Mererid Hopwood receiving the Chair the last time the Eisteddfod was held locally in 2001.
Robat Powell, winner of the Chair in Rhyl in 1985 was the first Welsh learner to win one of the National Eisteddfod’s main prizes, writing about the decline of the heavy industries in his local area, Ebbw Vale, in his poem ‘Cynefin’.
And there’s an important part for Ruthin in the story of the Eisteddfod, when the town became the home of the ‘double’ in 1973, when Alan Llwyd won both the Crown and the Chair. This was the first time for the young poet to win the Eisteddfod’s main prizes, and the first time for the ‘double’ to be won since 1915, when T H Parry-Williams won the ‘double’ for the second time in three years at Bangor. Alan Llwyd also repeated his feat three years later, winning his second ‘double’ at Cardigan in 1976.
If you’d like to get involved with preparations for the 2013 National Eisteddfod, contact the office on 0845 4090 400 or send us an email – [email protected]. For more information go to www.eisteddfod.org.uk.
