Monmouthshire’s historic hosting of the National Eisteddfod for Wales for the first time in a 100 years will be formally launched with a public meeting at 6.30pm on 17th July 2014 at the Market Hall in Abergavenny.
The public meeting presents a chance to learn more about the National Eisteddfod and the benefits it will bring to the towns and communities in Monmouthshire, as well as information on how to get involved in the community based and led project which organises the festival.
The community has numerous opportunities in organising the festival including being part of a committee, assisting with establishing the local appeal fund or showing support.
Councillor Phil Hobson, MCC’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Welsh language, said:
“Monmouthshire has a long and proud Welsh heritage and long links with the Eisteddfod – so in a very real sense it will be coming home when it comes here in 2016. That’s why we’re using “Hiraeth” – that wonderfully evocative and untranslatable Welsh word for the love for Wales and a longing for home – to tell people at this year’s Eisteddfod in Llanelli Carmarthenshire what our wonderful county has to offer.”
He continued:
“The public meeting on 17th July is vital, as it kick starts fund raising for the festival in Monmouthshire and we’ll be working hard to support that over the next two years.”
He added:
“This is an incredible opportunity for our county. The Eisteddfod is for everyone, Welsh speakers or English speakers. The fact that it’s the only festival of its kind to be held through the Welsh language gives us all an opportunity to be a part of this millennia old cultural legacy, as well as to share in the language’s vibrant role in current Welsh life and its bright future.”
A simultaneous translation service will be available for the meeting.
