Thousands came to enjoy a week full of fun and competitions at Eisteddfod yr Urdd Maldwyn 2024.
This year the Urdd celebrated a record-breaking 100,454 registering to compete in over 400 competitions, which includes more than ever Welsh learners.
As well as the three Pavilions where talented children and young people from Wales and beyond were competing, a variety of activities were enjoyed by all ages at the festival. Following a process of consultation with disability and accessibility experts, a series of developments were also introduced this year to ensure that the festival’s site and activities were fully accessible and inclusive.
The Urdd thanks its 5,000 volunteers for enabling the organisation to host one of Europe’s largest touring youth festivals in Meifod this year. Thanks to extra financial support by the Welsh Government, the Urdd was also able to offer free entry to low-income families once again this year.
Llio Maddocks, Director of the Arts, Urdd Gobaith Cymru said: “On behalf of the Urdd I would like to thank all the people of Maldwyn for the welcome we have received throughout the week as well as their enthusiasm over the years, to fundraise and create excitement for the Eisteddfod’s arrival in Powys.
“I would also like to give a special thanks to the 5,000 volunteers who have helped make this Eisteddfod a reality, and to all the teachers and leaders for teaching our young competitors. Thanks to their dedication and enthusiasm, thousands of children and young people have been given the chance to compete, enjoy and make life-long memories.
“Eisteddfod yr Urdd is a cultural highlight of our Welsh calendar, and festivals such as ours deserve to be enjoyed by all. Ensuring opportunities and experiences for competitors and visitors who are new Welsh speakers is crucial to the success and legacy of our youth festival. We look forward with confidence to Eisteddfod yr Urdd Dur a Môr at Margam Park, Neath Port Talbot in 2025.”
A winner was announced in all six main ceremonies. Wanesa Kazmierowska from Swansea was announced as Main Artist and Saffron Lewis from Pembrokeshire as the winner of the Art, Design and Technology Medal; Alys Hedd Jones from Cardiff won the Drama Medal; the Bobi Jones Medal was awarded to Isabella Colby Browne from Mold and the Young Learners Medal to Melody Griffiths from Wrexham; Lois Medi Wiliam, originally from Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor was revealed as the Main Bard; Tegwen Bruce-Deans from Llandrindod Wells was crowned Chief Prose Writer; and Gerard Coutain from Ammanford was announced as the winner of the Main Composer Prize.
For the first time, six young performers between 18 and 25 years of age were selected to become Young Cultural International Ambassadors for the Urdd and the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. The six recipients are as follows: Tomos Heddwyn Griffiths (Trawsfynydd), Owain Rowlands (Llandeilo), Morus Caradog Jones, Eiriana Jones-Campbell, Nansi Rhys Adams, and Owain Siôn from Cardiff.
Cadi Glwys Davies from Moelfre, Maldwyn (Aelwyd Sycharth) is the recipient of this year’s Eisteddfod Scholarship – a scholarship awarded to the most promising competitor in the age category – Year 10 to under 19. Cadi has had a successful week in several competitions, including the Solo folk dance, Monologue, and as a coach to brand-new traditional dance groups. She also starred in the Eisteddfod’s Youth Show on Sunday evening.
To celebrate the best of contemporary Welsh music and culture, Triban Festival returned to the Eisteddfod on Friday and Saturday and included performances by Bwncath, Eden and Lily Beau. The Urdd worked with five young curators to ensure the Triban Festival was inclusive and relevant to young people.
Next year, Eisteddfod yr Urdd will be held at Margam Park, Neath Port Talbot between 26 and 31 May 2025.
