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An An eisteddfod is a Welsh festival of eisteddfod is a Welsh festival of literature, music and performance. literature, music and performance. TheThe tradition of such a meeting of Welshtradition of such a meeting of Welsh artists dates back to at least the 12th artists dates back to at least the 12th century, when a festival of poetry andcentury, when a festival of poetry and music was held by Rhys ap Gruffydd of music was held by Rhys ap Gruffydd of Deheubarth at his court in Cardigan in Deheubarth at his court in Cardigan in 1176 but, with the decline of the bardic1176 but, with the decline of the bardic tradition, it fell into abeyance. The tradition, it fell into abeyance. The present-day format owes much to an present-day format owes much to an eighteenth-century revival arising out eighteenth-century revival arising out of of a number of informal eisteddfodau. The a number of informal eisteddfodau. The closest English equivalent to closest English equivalent to eisteddfodeisteddfod is is "session"; the word is formed from two "session"; the word is formed from two Welsh morphemes: Welsh morphemes: eisteddeistedd, meaning, meaning "sit", and "sit", and bodbod, meaning "be"., meaning "be".

HistoryHistoryThe date of the first eisteddfod is a matterThe date of the first eisteddfod is a matter of much debate among scholars, but boardsof much debate among scholars, but boards for the judging of poetry definitely existedfor the judging of poetry definitely existed in Wales from at least as early as thein Wales from at least as early as the twelfth century, and it is likely that thetwelfth century, and it is likely that the ancient Celtic bards had formalized ways ofancient Celtic bards had formalized ways of judging poetry as well. The first eisteddfodjudging poetry as well. The first eisteddfod can be traced back to 1176, under thecan be traced back to 1176, under the auspices of Lord Rhys, at his castle inauspices of Lord Rhys, at his castle in Cardigan. There he held a grand gatheringCardigan. There he held a grand gathering to which were invited poets and musiciansto which were invited poets and musicians from all over the country. A chair at thefrom all over the country. A chair at the Lord's table was awarded to the best poetLord's table was awarded to the best poet and musician, a tradition that prevails in theand musician, a tradition that prevails in the modern day National Eisteddfodmodern day National Eisteddfod

National EisteddfodNational EisteddfodThe most important eisteddfod is the The most important eisteddfod is the National Eisteddfod of Wales, the largest National Eisteddfod of Wales, the largest festival of competitive music and poetry infestival of competitive music and poetry in Europe. Its eight days of competitions andEurope. Its eight days of competitions and performances, entirely in the Welsh performances, entirely in the Welsh language, are staged annually in the first language, are staged annually in the first week of August, usually alternating week of August, usually alternating between north and south Wales. (See thebetween north and south Wales. (See the main main National Eisteddfod of WalesNational Eisteddfod of Wales article article for a full list of past and future venues.)for a full list of past and future venues.) Competitors typically number 6,000 or Competitors typically number 6,000 or more, and overall attendances generallymore, and overall attendances generally exceed 150,000 visitors.exceed 150,000 visitors.

Urdd National EisteddfodUrdd National EisteddfodAnother important eisteddfod in the calendar is Another important eisteddfod in the calendar is 'Eisteddfod Yr Urdd', or the Youth Eisteddfod. 'Eisteddfod Yr Urdd', or the Youth Eisteddfod. Organised by Urdd Gobaith Cymru, it involves Welsh Organised by Urdd Gobaith Cymru, it involves Welsh youth aged 7 to 24 in a week of competition in singing, youth aged 7 to 24 in a week of competition in singing, recitation, dancing, acting and musicianship during the recitation, dancing, acting and musicianship during the summer half-term school holiday. The event is claimed summer half-term school holiday. The event is claimed to be Europe's premier youth arts festival. Regional to be Europe's premier youth arts festival. Regional heats are held in advance and, as with the National heats are held in advance and, as with the National Eisteddfod, the Urdd Eisteddfod is held in a different Eisteddfod, the Urdd Eisteddfod is held in a different location each year. With the establishment of the Urdd location each year. With the establishment of the Urdd headquarters in the Wales Millennium Centre, the headquarters in the Wales Millennium Centre, the eisteddfod will return to Cardiff every four years.eisteddfod will return to Cardiff every four years.

The International EisteddfodThe International EisteddfodThe International Eisteddfod is The International Eisteddfod is held annually in Llangollen, held annually in Llangollen, Denbighshire each year in July. Denbighshire each year in July. Choirs, singing groups, folk Choirs, singing groups, folk dancers and other groups dancers and other groups attend from all over the world, attend from all over the world, sharing their national folk sharing their national folk traditions in one of the world's traditions in one of the world's great festivals of the arts. It was great festivals of the arts. It was set up in 1947 and begins with a set up in 1947 and begins with a message of peace. In 2004, it message of peace. In 2004, it was (unsuccessfully) nominated was (unsuccessfully) nominated for the for the NobelNobel Peace Prize by Peace Prize by Terry Waite, who has been Terry Waite, who has been actively involved with the actively involved with the eisteddfodeisteddfod

Eisteddfodau in the United StateEisteddfodau in the United Statess

The 2011 West Coast Eisteddfod: Welsh Festival ofThe 2011 West Coast Eisteddfod: Welsh Festival of Arts in Los Angeles was sponsored by theArts in Los Angeles was sponsored by the Meriwether Lewis Memorial Eisteddfod FoundationMeriwether Lewis Memorial Eisteddfod Foundation in association with AmeriCymru, Welsh Americanin association with AmeriCymru, Welsh American social network, and A Raven Above Press, Welshsocial network, and A Raven Above Press, Welsh-American owned and operated small press. The-American owned and operated small press. The Barnsdall Art Park was chosen as the site for theBarnsdall Art Park was chosen as the site for the festival is it was made famous for its architecturefestival is it was made famous for its architecture of Welsh-American Frank Lloyd Wright. The of Welsh-American Frank Lloyd Wright. The festival consists of lectures and book readings byfestival consists of lectures and book readings by authors, film festival, music, art competitions, andauthors, film festival, music, art competitions, and outdoor marketplace.outdoor marketplace.

There are several smaller, regional eisteddfodau inThere are several smaller, regional eisteddfodau in the United States as well, which include the the United States as well, which include the Cynonfardd Eisteddfod in EdwardsvilleCynonfardd Eisteddfod in Edwardsville, Pennsylvania. The 123rd ‘Cynonfardd’ Eisteddfod, Pennsylvania. The 123rd ‘Cynonfardd’ Eisteddfod will be held on 28 April at the Dr. Edwardswill be held on 28 April at the Dr. Edwards Memorial Church, Church and Main streets,Memorial Church, Church and Main streets, Edwardsville. The music and poetry competition isEdwardsville. The music and poetry competition is the longest-running in the United States, second the longest-running in the United States, second only to the National Eisteddfod in Wales., and theonly to the National Eisteddfod in Wales., and the Jackson School Eisteddfod in Jackson, OhioJackson School Eisteddfod in Jackson, Ohio... .

EISTEDDFORDS IN AUSTRALIAEISTEDDFORDS IN AUSTRALIAEisteddfods (Australian plural) have also been adopted Eisteddfods (Australian plural) have also been adopted into Australian culture. Much like the Welsh original, into Australian culture. Much like the Welsh original, eisteddfods are competitions that involve testing eisteddfods are competitions that involve testing individuals for singing, dancing, acting and individuals for singing, dancing, acting and musicianship. The Royal South Street Eisteddfod in musicianship. The Royal South Street Eisteddfod in Ballarat has been running since 1891.[At least 20 Ballarat has been running since 1891.[At least 20 years earlier, as described in the diaries of Joseph years earlier, as described in the diaries of Joseph Jenkins, Ballarat's Welsh community was conducting Jenkins, Ballarat's Welsh community was conducting an annual eisteddfod each St David's Day (1 March). an annual eisteddfod each St David's Day (1 March). The Sydney Eisteddfod commenced in 1933 and offers The Sydney Eisteddfod commenced in 1933 and offers some 400 events across all Performing Arts, catering some 400 events across all Performing Arts, catering to 30,000 performers annually. Modern equivalents in to 30,000 performers annually. Modern equivalents in Australia are competitions reserved for schoolchildren, Australia are competitions reserved for schoolchildren, though many have open sections where anyone though many have open sections where anyone (including professionals) may participate and (including professionals) may participate and compete. Typically, a prize may be a scholarship to compete. Typically, a prize may be a scholarship to pursue a further career. Many young Australian actors pursue a further career. Many young Australian actors and dancers participate regularly in the various and dancers participate regularly in the various competitions scheduled throughout the year. Many competitions scheduled throughout the year. Many other communities host smaller eisteddfods, including other communities host smaller eisteddfods, including Alice Springs, Darwin and MelbourneAlice Springs, Darwin and Melbourne

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