Ever felt that it’s difficult to keep track of events and activities on the Maes at the National Eisteddfod? Have you ever thought about how great it would be to find out everything you need to know at the push of a button – when you’re on the move? iSteddfod lets you do all that – and more – using the latest technology fed through to the increasingly popular iPhone.
This year’s Eisteddfod will be the first time such technology has been used in Welsh to promote a festival, and organisers and developers alike are excited at the prospect of having such a wealth of information at the fingertips of visitors to the Blaenau Gwent and Heads of the Valleys National Eisteddfod.
iSteddfod developer, Ambrose Choy, said:
“I’ve always been a great fan of the National Eisteddfod, but always felt that there wasn’t an easy way of accessing all the information in one place when you’re on the move. We started thinking about developing an iphone app for the Eisteddfod after last year’s festival in Bala, and it’s developed from there.
“It’s taken a few months, and we’ve worked closely with the Eisteddfod along the way, and I hope that people will find it useful and that they will download the application to use it during the week. We’re excited that we’ve managed to pull off such a unique project in Welsh, and look forward to seeing many more Welsh language apps coming through over the next few months.”
Elfed Roberts, Eisteddfod Chief Executive, said:
“iSteddfod will be a great tool for our visitors, both during the festival itself and during the next few weeks as people start planning their visit to the Eisteddfod.
“This app makes the Eisteddfod relevant to a technology savvy generation, and the fact that it is the first app of its kind in the Welsh language is a boost not only for us as a festival but also for the language as a whole. It’s great to see the language being used in cutting-edge technology and I am delighted that the iSteddfod is the first of its kind, and look forward to working with the developers over the next few years.”
The Blaenau Gwent and Heads of the Valleys National Eisteddfod is held at The Works, Ebbw Vale, from 31 July – 7 August. For more information on the iSteddfod go to www.fiafo.com. For information on the Eisteddfod, go to www.eisteddfod.org.uk.
Editor’s Note: Unlike many of the other iPhone applications which are in the news it the moment having cost the British Governemt tens of thousands of pounds each, the iSteddfod app did not cost the National Eisteddfod a single penny. It’s all been developed by two young men who have a passion for technology, the language and the culture of Wales.
