Abergavenny Eisteddfod 2010

@ Various Venues

Welcome to Abergavenny Eisteddfod Y Fenni

Welcome to Abergavenny Eisteddfod Y Fenni, the annual arts event for young people and adults with competitions for everyone, regardless of language. This year's Abergavenny Eisteddfod, to be held on 19th June 2010, will be the ninth since its relaunch after a gap of sixty five years.

Competitions for Primary school pupils Solo and group competitions for instrumentalists, singers, dancers and for those who wish to recite in either Welsh or English. Second year of the reading at first sight competition. Competitions for Young people (aged 11 to 18 before 1st September 2009) For this age category there are two new competitions: 1) In addition to the solo piano competitions we are now offering a competition especially for electronic keyboard players. 2) Drama competition: create your own sketch and perform it. Competitions as usual for other instrumentalists, singers (including choirs), dancers (all styles), readers and reciters (Welsh or English). Four best acts to be invited to perform in the Borough Theatre in the evening. Competitions for Adults No changes to the stage competitions this year, but a second year for the popular choir competition, and improvements to the staging for the evening finals. You can email Ceri Thomas Click to email or telephone 01873 850379 or telephone Chris Watson on 01873 853894

Abergavenny Eisteddfod History Between 1834 and 1853, ten eisteddfodau were held in Abergavenny, organised by Cymreigyddion Y Fenni, the Welsh language Society which still meets today. The eisteddfodau were sponsored by Augusta Hall, the famous Lady Llanover, also known by her bardic name Gwenynen Gwent. Lady Llanover is perhaps best known for creating the image of what came to be regarded as the traditional Welsh costume, as well as for her support of Welsh harp music and folk songs. In her patronage of the Abergavenny eisteddfodau, Lady Llanover was supported by her husband, Sir Benjamin Hall (of Westminster's "Big Ben" fame) and by Thomas Price, "Carnhuanawc," one of the greatest Welshmen of the nineteenth century. He, like Lady Llanover, was a fervent advocate for the Welsh language in an age where Britain's minority languages were far from being a popular cause. Lady Llanover and her husband offered very substantial prizes at the Abergavenny eisteddfodau, sometimes as much as eighty guineas. Competitors included some of the greatest European Celtic scholars, as well as major Welsh literary figures of the day. In 2002, the Abergavenny eisteddfod was revived by a local group led by local town councillor Douglas Edwards and his wife Edna, together with head teacher of Abergavenny's Welsh primary school Mrs Bronwen Green. Initially competitors were invited from local schools, with competitions being held at King Henry VIII Comprehensive School. From 2003 onwards, adult competitors have also been attracted, from all over Wales and beyond, and from 2004 onwards the evening competitions have been held at the town's Borough Theatre