My Wales; My Pride !!

Wales forever known as the land of song ;songs which send pride cursing through my veins.

From way back to my childhood myself and my sister were no strangers to the world of the Eisteddfodau.

See all 5 photos A chair won by a bard in a National Eisteddfod a some years ago. Source: Source: Wikipedia A crowning of the bard ceremony at a National Eisteddfod many many years ago. Source: Source: Wikipedia

In 1178 that’s where the first Eisteddfod was held. Some of you may be wondering what an Eisteddfod is. Well follow me and all will be revealed………………….???

1176 – Lord Rhys hosts the first National Eisteddfod of Wales in Cardigan.

1976 – National Eisteddfod held in Cardigan.

1987 – Theatre Mwldan opened by Sir Geraint Evans.

1993 – Monument to first Eisteddfod erected near the original site

Eisteddfodau were first held by the gentry of welsh communities and the first one ever right here just 3 miles away from where I live ;yes it was held in Cardigan Castle.

All the way back to the twelfth century;by Lord Rhys of Deheubarth;it was a festival of music.

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”

It was a grand gathering of poets and musicians from all over the country.A bardic chair was awarded to the best poet and musician ; a tradition that prevails in the modern day National Eisteddfod.

The earliest large scale Eisteddfod was the Carmarthen Eisteddfod, which took place in 1451. The next recorded large-scale eisteddfod was held in The next recorded large-scale eisteddfod was held in Caerwys in 1568. The prizes awarded were a miniature silver chair to the successful poet, a little silver crwth to the winning fiddler, a silver tongue to the best singer, and a tiny silver harp to the best harpist.

To ensure the highest standard possible, Elizabeth 1st of England commanded that the bards be examined and licensed. As interest in the Welsh arts declined, the standard of the main eisteddfod deteriorated as well and they became more informal. In 1789, Thomas Jones organised an eisteddfod in Corwen where for the first time the public were admitted. The success of this event led to a revival of interest in Welsh literature and music.