As Eisteddfod T draws to a close following an exciting week of competition, the organisers have expressed their gratitude to competitors, teachers, partners and sponsors alike for once again ensuring a successful digital festival this year.
During what would have been the Urdd Eisteddfod week in Denbighshire, postponed for the second consecutive year due to Covid-19, competitors and viewers have enjoyed a digital festival on the radio, television and online, with messages of support shared on social media throughout the week.
“The standard of competition has been amazing, and the festival once again a resounding success,” said Siân Eirian, Director of the Urdd Eisteddfod and Arts. “We have had a wonderful week here at the Urdd’s residential centre in Llangrannog and are delighted to have been able to host a few live elements on location, especially the Main Ceremonies.”
“Our adjudicators have otherwise been announcing the results live on TV, from their homes, with all competitions happening digitally. We have had, and continue to receive, a great response from the audience at home. I would like to thank all the competitors, their teachers, and families, along with the adjudicators for their tireless work. I would also like to thank and declare gratitude to our partners and sponsors for making Eisteddfod T possible and ensuring its success in such challenging times.”
Eisteddfod T was held throughout this week attracting more than 13,000 competitors in 134 competitions. Audiences joined in the fun, with 37 hours of live broadcasting on S4C and 25 hours on BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio Cymru2, along with countless activities on the Urdd Eisteddfod App and social media.
Amanda Rees, Director of Content at S4C said: “We are delighted once again to showcase the young talents of Wales on S4C. Despite the disappointment of missing the Urdd Eisteddfod in its traditional form again this year, Eisteddfod T has once again been able to step in and create a unique, exciting and innovative event.”
It was important for young people’s voices to be heard competing on BBC Radio Cymru and presenting on BBC Radio Cymru2, according to Dafydd Meredydd, Content Editor at BBC Radio Cymru:
“It has been a fantastic week and Eisteddfod T’s keen competitors have entertained our listeners,” said Dafydd Meredydd. “It is essential that the young people of Wales have a national platform to showcase their talents and BBC Radio Cymru is proud to have been able to provide that platform, along with S4C this week.”
There have been worthy winners in all Eisteddfod T main ceremonies, with the following each winning a special Trophy: Phoebe Skinner from Cardiff (Learner Prize), Rhiannon Gwyn from Sling near Bethesda (Art Prize), Alaw Grug Evans from Pontyberem (Composition Prize), Rhiannon Lloyd Williams from Cardiff (Drama Prize), Sioned Medi Howells from New Inn, Pencader (Prose Prize) and Kayley Sydenham from Newport (Poetry Prize).
There was an international theme to the Urdd’s additional announcements during the Eisteddfod week. It was announced that the winner of the Eisteddfod T Solo 19-25 competition, Dafydd Jones from Llanrhaeadr, Denbigh, will be invited to perform as a special guest at the 2021 North America Festival of Wales, held in Utica, New York in September; and 16 Eisteddfod T finalists will be offered the opportunity to join a brand-new choir – Côr yr Urdd – who will travel to Alabama as part of the Urdd’s centenary celebrations in 2022.
Also, sporting a new look, Mr Urdd has been revealed as the official Team Wales mascot at the Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Birmingham next year. The Urdd became an official charitable partner of Team Wales back in May 2019, to inspire children from all over Wales to have a go at sports and to take part in physical activity.
The Eisteddfod spirit continues on S4C on Sunday, 6 June with a special programme celebrating the talents of twenty former Urdd Gobaith Cymru Bryn Terfel Scholarship winners. An Eisteddfod T highlights programme will be on S4C at 7:30pm on Saturday the 19th of June.
