The Greatest show on Earth
To an Englishman it is another of those baffling long words that mean little or nothing. For the initiated – the Welsh themselves – the word ‘Eisteddfod’ is synonimous with the identity of the nation. The word is ‘Eisteddfod’ is derived from the Welsh word ‘Eistedd’, which means ‘to sit’- setting the scene perfectly for a festival of this nature.
The National Eisteddfod is one of the most famous international festivals in the world, encouraging many people to celebrate the Welsh culture. The festival has a long history dating back to the 12th century, and qualifies as being on of the best things to do whilst visiting Wales. It is crucial to the country as a whole because of everything that it stands for in the promotion of the arts and the language.
I wanted to know first hand what all the noise was about, so I decided that I would start looking for shortbreaks in Wales, to gain first-hand experience. As the festival lasts for the first week in August, you can plan your accommodation in advance. There are many opportunities to attend the festival whilst renting one of the many delightful holiday cottages in Wales. You could time it perfectly to coincide with some of the shortbreaks on offer from ‘Wales in Style’ and their selection of shortbreaks in wales.
I read in one of the guides that the Eisteddfod had been a launch pad for many a famous figure on their way to stardom. Maybe the most famous past winner of the festival prize is Bryn Terfel the international baritone.
What impressed me about the festival, was the huge variety of performers on offer alongside the ceremonies, competitions and concerts. The festival doesn’t just concentrate upon traditional forms of music, but celebrates styles from around the world including hip-hop and jive. I was also surprised and inspired to know that the whole show depends on many volunteers. If you wish to put yourself forward as a volunteer, you can ring this number (0845) 122 2003.
