The National Eisteddfod 2010

 

The National Eisteddfod 2010

An eisteddfod is a Welsh festival of literature, music and performance. The word eisteddfod is derived from the Welsh word eistedd, meaning "to sit", and bod meaning "to be" and therefore means "to be sitting" or "to be sitting together" ("bod" is softly mutated into "fod").

The tradition of such a meeting of Welsh artists dates back to at least the 12th century, when a festival of poetry and music was held by Rhys ap Gruffydd of Deheubarth at his court in Cardigan in 1176. There he held a grand gathering to which were invited poets and musicians from all over the country. A chair at the Lord's Table was awarded to the best poet and musician; a tradition that prevails in the modern day National Eisteddfod, but, with the decline of the bardic tradition, became less popular. The present-day format owes much to an eighteenth-century revival arising out of a number of informal eisteddfodau.

The National Eisteddfod has become a well organised, annual event and this year was held in Ebbw Vale, South-East Wales. I was fortunate to have the opportunity of experiencing it for the first time as I helped out on our University of Wales stall. It was truly an amazing experience filled with passion and culture. There were stalls occupied throughout the Maes (the venue where the Eisteddfod takes place) by all kinds of organisations ranging from Universities to political parties. If the opportunity ever arises for you to visit the festival, I would highly recommend that you do!

Although I do not speak the Welsh language, by my second day I had learned a few simple phrases and put them to good use asking questions to people visiting our stall.

Last years Freshers visits