National Eisteddfod announces details of new-look competitions structure

Looking first at the purpose of competing as part of the Eisteddfod, the review was a chance to gather views and ideas from individuals, partners, groups, local committees and national panels over a period of many months, with these discussions forming the basis for all the developments.

Some of the review's recommendations will be implemented at this year's Llŷn and Eifionydd National Eisteddfod, and others will be introduced within the Rhondda Cynon Taf Eisteddfod List of Competitions.

One of the main conclusions of the review was that the role of the Eisteddfod is essentially to celebrate the best Wales has to offer, while also actively nurturing talent by creating high-quality performance opportunities for everyone.  We’ll do this by developing two new competition centres on the Maes, with one holding up to 1200 people and the other holding 500 people.

One of this year’s new developments is the alignment of all our group competitions, with semi-final rounds across all competition genres, with the final three invited to perform for a second time.

We’ll also strengthen the relationship between our artistic venues and the competition programme, holding the semi-final rounds for individuals and duets within these buildings.  Our folk and cerdd dant semi-final rounds will be held in Tŷ Gwerin, recitation and monologues in the Literary Pavilion and music semi-final rounds will be held in Encore, allowing our general visitors to have a taste of our competitions and giving our competitors the chance to perform at the venue best suited to their craft.

These developments allow us to look at how we programme the week in a more strategic way, considering our competitors’ performing experience and that of the audience, rather than the number of entries for each competition.  The programme will flow well throughout the week with a natural crescendo at the end of each day and genre, creating a focus and an opportunity to celebrate success.

Our group competitions will continue to be spread across the week, so that daily visitors as well as those staying throughout the week can enjoy a taste of a wide range of cultural genres.  Some competitions may be held on a different day to the past few years, and we’ll be publishing the competitions programme before the end of March, almost three months earlier than usual, so that competitors can plan their week and their travel arrangements in good time.

This year also sees our street theatre and dance programmes developing further, with plenty of performances across the Maes.  Theatrical performances will be held in venues across the Maes, so that our programme reaches the widest audience possible during the week.

There’s less than two weeks to go until our composition competitions deadline, and everything needs to be uploaded by 1 April.  This year’s brand-new system is simple to use, and cuts won on the need to print or post any compositions, making it easier for competitors, adjudicators and our team.  For more information go to https://2023.eisteddfod.wales/

1 May is the deadline for our stage competitions with all the information and registration details available by clicking on the same link as our composition competitions.

The Llŷn and Eifionydd National Eisteddfod is held in Boduan from 5-12 August this year.  For more information go to www.eisteddfod.cymru.

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