Urdd National Eisteddfod

The Festival in 1954.

The Urdd National Eisteddfod (Welsh: Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Urdd Gobaith Cymru or Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd) is an annual Welsh-language youth festival of literature, music and performing arts organised by Urdd Gobaith Cymru. Arguably Europe's largest youth festival, it is usually held during the last week of May, coinciding with the schools' half term holiday. Locations alternate between north and south Wales and the festival returns every fourth year to the vicinity of the Millennium Centre at Cardiff Bay. The Eisteddfod consists of competitive singing, recitation, dance and instrumental events for contestants aged between 7 and 24 years. Regional qualifying heats are held in advance around Wales, as occurs for the National Eisteddfod.

With the exception of the 4-yearly Cardiff Bay venue, the Eisteddfod yr Urdd is usually held in a large open field. Accompanying peripheral attractions are designed to help fund the festival and include exhibition stalls, displays and sporting activities. Local and national corporations, retailers and other institutions are invited to participate, notably the Welsh universities.

Competitions

Competitions within the Urdd Eisteddfod include:

• Cân Actol – A long narrative piece sung and acted in Welsh by a group of 30.
• Cerdd Dant – A choir of up to 12 voices sings in Welsh, accompanied by a harp, in a formulaic sequence of alternating melodies.
• Recitation – A group of up to 12 people recites a Welsh poem.
• Boys' Choir
• Girls' Choir
• dawnsio stryd street dancing
• solo recitation
• solo strings
• solo singing
• s.a.t.b. choir
• solo woodwind
• solo brass
• folk dancing
• solo piano

Venues chosen for the event

5

Source: