Ten days to go until the Proclamation Ceremony!

The first copy of the Rhestr Testunau (List of Competitions) will be presented to the Archdruid, Myrddin ap Dafydd by the Chair of the local Executive Committee, Michael Strain, during the traditional Gorsedd ceremony which follows a procession through the town of Porthmadog led by local organisations. The procession reflects the warm welcome to the Eisteddfod in the area, with over a year to go until the Eisteddfod itself.

A number of events have been organised on the day of the Proclamation, including sessions o the Eisteddfod for Welsh learners, activities for children and young people in the Park in the centre of Porthmadog and a special film with children from local schools, which will be shown on a large screen in the Park during the day, before the Proclamation Ceremony and the afternoon procession.

The day's schedule

10:00 Sessions for Welsh learners at Ysgol Eifionydd, Porthmadog

11: 00-13: 00 Activities for children and young people in the park in the centre of town

13:30 First showing of the film showing the support of local school-children

14:30 Gorsedd Procession through Porthmadog High Street

15:00 Proclamation Ceremony in the park

Local committees have been preparing for the festival for months, to give local residents a taste of the Eisteddfod, so they’re ready for the festival itself next year.  Have a look at the list of events here, https://eisteddfod.wales/2023-proclamation-festival.

Looking forward to the Proclamation, Chair of the local Executive Committee, Michael Strain said, “This is one of the Eisteddfod’s traditions, a colourful celebration to herald that the Eisteddfod is coming to the area.  This celebration has changed very little over the years, and this is what makes it unique and very traditional. 

“Our work over the next year is to inspire people across Llŷn, Eifionydd and further afield that the Eisteddfod is a vibrant and forward-thinking modern festival, considered to be one of the UK’s largest music and arts festival.  Competitions are at the heart of everything we do, but there are also hundreds of events and activities happening around the Maes, celebrating all cultural genres.

“We’ve been hard at work locally since before the first lockdown, raising awareness and money and it’s great to see so much support for the Eisteddfod here already.  Thank you to everyone who’s already been part of the preparation and thank you to the council who’ve shown us great support from the beginning.  It bodes well for the next few months and I hope people from all over Wales will join us for the Proclamation on Saturday 25 June.”

A Cymanfa Ganu (congregational singing festival) will be held at Capel Salem, Pool Street, Caernarfon on Sunday evening 26 June at 19.30 to celebrate the Proclamation, and all are welcome to attend.

The Llŷn and Eifionydd National Eisteddfod is held in Boduan, near Pwllheli from 5-12 August 2023, and the Ceredigion National Eisteddfod is held in Tregaron from 30 July – 6 August this year.  For more information go online, www.eisteddfod.wales.