Eisteddfod facts for kids
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An eisteddfod (pronounced ice-STED-vod) is a special Welsh festival. It celebrates literature, music, and performance. Think of it as a big competition and gathering for artists!
This tradition started a long time ago, at least in the 12th century. A Welsh ruler named Rhys ap Gruffydd held a festival of poetry and music in 1176. Over time, the tradition faded a bit. But it came back strong in the 1700s.
The word eisteddfod comes from two Welsh words: eistedd, which means "sit," and bod, which means "be." So, it's like a "sitting" or "being" together. Sometimes, other countries use the word "eisteddfod" for art competitions that aren't related to Welsh culture.
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The International Eisteddfod
The International Eisteddfod happens every year in Llangollen, Wales. It takes place in July. Choirs, singing groups, and folk dancers come from all over the world. They share their national traditions at this big arts festival.
It started in 1947. The festival always begins with a message of peace. In 2004, it was even suggested for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Eisteddfod Events in Wales
Smaller eisteddfod events are held all over Wales. One famous one is the Maes Garmon Eisteddfod in Mold. Schools also have their own eisteddfod competitions. A popular day for these school events is Saint David's Day.
Similar Festivals Around the World
Other places with Celtic languages have festivals like the eisteddfod. In Cornwall, there's an event called "Esethvos Kernow." This means "Eisteddfod of Cornwall" in the Cornish language.
The Scottish Gaelic "Mod" and the Breton "Kan ar Bobl" also share similarities. These festivals celebrate their own cultures and languages.
The idea of an eisteddfod has also spread to the Channel Islands. People there use it to help keep their local languages alive. These languages are Jèrriais and Guernésiais. You can see this at the Jersey Eisteddfod.
In Ireland, "Seachtain na Gaeilge" is a bit like an eisteddfod. It celebrates Irish music and culture. It also encourages people to use the Irish language.
Eisteddfods Outside Wales
Many Welsh people moved to other countries over the years. They took their traditions with them, including the eisteddfod. Some of these events still happen today. They can be in different forms and languages.
United Kingdom
Eisteddfods are held across the UK. Often, they are now just general arts festivals. They might not have a strong link to Welsh culture anymore.
For example, a choral competition called the Forest of Dean Eisteddfod started in 1897. It was in Cinderford. This event was still going in the 1940s.
Some churches in England also call their youth cultural festivals "eisteddfods." The Kettering and District Eisteddfod is one example. It was started by a Sunday School group. It still runs every March.
The Bristol Festival of Music, Speech and Drama began in 1903. It was first called the Bristol Eisteddfod. The name still exists in the Bristol Dance Eisteddfod.
Argentina
Eisteddfodau have been held in Argentina since the first Welsh people settled there. This was in the late 1800s. Today, the competitions are in both Welsh and Spanish.
They include poetry, prose, and translations. People also perform music, folk dances, and show art. A youth eisteddfod happens in Gaiman every September. The main Chubut Eisteddfod is in Trelew in October. There are also annual eisteddfods in Trevelin and Puerto Madryn.
Australia
Eisteddfods have become part of Australian culture too. Like the Welsh original, they are competitions. People compete in singing, dancing, acting, and playing music.
The Royal South Street Eisteddfod in Ballarat has been running since 1891. Even earlier, in the 1870s, Ballarat's Welsh community held an eisteddfod every Saint David's Day.
The Sydney Eisteddfod started in 1933. It has about 400 events for all performing arts. Around 30,000 performers take part each year. Many young Australian performers compete regularly. A prize might be a scholarship to help them with their careers. Other cities like Alice Springs, Darwin, Brisbane, and Melbourne also host eisteddfods.
South Africa
Several international performing arts competitions in South Africa are called eisteddfods. Examples include the Tygerberg International Eisteddfod. The Pretoria Eisteddfod first took place in 1923.
Sometimes, schools use the word "eisteddfod" for their cultural festivals. This happens even if only their own students are involved.
United States
Many thousands of Welsh people moved to America. They came as religious dissenters and later as industrial workers. Eisteddfods in North America likely started in the 1830s. The first recorded ones are from the 1850s.
The biggest US eisteddfod was in 1893. It was held at the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Welsh choirs from Wales came to perform. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which had many Welsh immigrants, performed there too.
The eisteddfod idea continued at some later world's fairs. This helped connect Welsh eisteddfod communities to their American branches.
In 1915, an International Eisteddfod was held in San Francisco. It was part of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Choirs from across the nation competed. The Orpheus Club of Los Angeles won the competition.
Today, the internet and social media have helped new eisteddfods start. The West Coast Eisteddfod began in 2009 in Portland, Oregon. In 2011, it was held in Los Angeles. This city is famous for buildings by Welsh-American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The Americymru website now hosts online eisteddfods.
Welsh Heritage Week also includes a mini-Eisteddfod. This is a Welsh language and culture course. The North American Festival of Wales also has an eisteddfod.
Images for kids
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Galey Castle ruin with stairs, doorways and windows visible
See also
In Spanish: Eisteddfod para niños
