2024 Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod

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2024 Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod
Part of the National Eisteddfod
Eisteddfod 2024 - Parc Coffa Ynysangharad.jpg
Native name Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Rhondda Cynon Taf 2024
Date3–10 August 2024 (2024-08-03 2024-08-10)
Duration8 days
Venue Ynysangharad Park and other venues in the town
Location Pontypridd
Coordinates 51°36′03″N3°20′10″W / 51.6008°N 3.3362°W / 51.6008; -3.3362
Theme Welsh language and culture

Location map
2024 Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod
Main Pavilion in Ynysangharad Park Pafiliwn yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol 2024.jpg
Main Pavilion in Ynysangharad Park

The 2024 Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod (Welsh : Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru Rhondda Cynon Taf 2024) was held in Pontypridd and across the Rhondda Cynon Taf valleys, Wales, from 3 to 10 August 2024. [1] This marked the first time the National Eisteddfod of Wales had been held in the area since 1956. The 2024 event attracted over 186,000 attendees and was also described as the "the greenest Eisteddfod ever". [2]

Contents

Background

The modern National Eisteddfod of Wales has been held every year (with the exception of 1914, 2020 and 2021) since 1861. It is hosted by a different region of Wales each year. Around 1,000 events and 200 competitions are held, in poetry, music, dance, drama and literature, making it one of Europe's largest music and poetry festivals. [3] The main competition events are the Crowning of the Bard and the Chairing of the Bard.

The 2024 Rhondda Cynon Taf Eisteddfod was the first time it had been held in that area since 1956, [4] when it had been staged in Aberdare and District. It had last been held in Pontypridd in 1893. [5]

In 2019 it was announced the 2022 National Eisteddfod would be held in Rhondda Cynon Taf. However, the 2020 and 2021 National Eisteddfods were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Rhondda Cynon Taf event was pushed back to 2024. [6]

Preparations

Preparations for fundraising events began in December 2021. A strategy to engage young people with the Eisteddfod was put forward. Funding was successfully agreed from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. [6]

In early March 2023, a launch event for the Eisteddfod took place at The Lion pub in Treorchy. The all-day event included street theatre, a poetry competition, a comedy club and music by Welsh rock group, Candelas. [7]

The proclamation ceremony for the 2024 National Eisteddfod took place on the 24 June 2023 in Aberdare, formally announcing the intention to hold the next National Eisteddfod in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The ceremony included a procession of local organisations and members of the Gorsedd through the town. [8] The intention to hold the 2024 National Eisteddfod in Pontypridd was announced at a ceremony on 7 August 2023, at the 2023 National Eisteddfod in Boduan, Gwynedd. [9] Organisers described the 2024 Eisteddfod as "an urban, alternative and exciting Eisteddfod" using Ynysangharad Park utilising Ynysangharad Park and various town centre venues. [9]

Prior to the event, £332,000 had been raised to fund the Eisteddfod. This figure grew to £450,000 with the help of additional support from Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council. [4]

Phased closure of Ynysangharad Park took place between 24 June and 30 July 2024 to allow preparation of the site. [10]

2024 locations

Learners' Tent (Maes D) in the park Pebyll Maes D yn yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol 2024.jpg
Learners' Tent (Maes D) in the park

The main Maes (the Eisteddfod's showground) was located in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park. The park was a short walk from Pontypridd railway station and bus station, providing convenient public transport access. [11] With the River Taff flowing around part of the site, access to the Maes was managed through footbridges from the town centre. Pontypridd's outdoor lido remained open but only bookable by ticket-holders to the Eisteddfod. [12]

Adult daily entrance charges to the Maes ranged from £12.00 to £23.00, with reduced prices for those arriving after 6pm. [12]

Ten different stages were located in Ynysangharad Park and in the town centre. [11] Temporary buildings and tents were erected in the park including the Main Pavilion, Literary Pavillion (Y Babell Lên), Arts Village (primarily Y Lle Celf ), Science and Technology Village, Welsh Learners’ Village, Ty Gwerin (Folk Tent), Caffi Maes B, stalls and food outlets. [10]

Some theatrical performances took place at Yma building (former YMCA) in the town. [12] Preliminary competitions and some evening performances took place at the Muni Centre in Pontypridd. [10]

Maes B, the after-dark music event with more than 30 Welsh language bands and performers, took place on the outskirts of Pontypridd, a 25 minute walk from the railway station. [13]

A 'fringe' event with live music and guest speakers also took place at Zucco's cafe in Mill Street. [12]

Events across the valleys

While the main Maes was centred in Pontypridd, the 2024 Eisteddfod embraced its regional character with events spanning across the Rhondda Cynon Taf valleys. Council planning documents indicated that "Council and privately owned land/facilities" throughout the county were utilised for wider Eisteddfod events, reflecting the festival's return to "this working-class area in the South Wales valleys" for the first time in almost 70 years. [14]

ARFOR programme events took place at Pentre, including discussions on Welsh language economic initiatives and workshops on "Welsh speaking workplaces." [15] The economic impact was designed to benefit "town centres across Rhondda Cynon Taf," acknowledging the festival's role in supporting the broader regional economy. [16]

Main awards

2024 Eisteddfod Chair Cadair Yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol 2024.jpg
2024 Eisteddfod Chair

Chairing of the Bard

The 2024 Eisteddfod Chair was designed and created by Berian Daniel, with help from pupils at Ysgol Llanhari, who came up with the idea of a river of coal to represent the area's three rivers and its industrial past. [17]

The Chair was won by 28-year-old ITV journalist Carwyn Eckley, writing under the pen name Brynmair, for his collection of cynghanedd poetry, which explored his experience of losing his father when Eckley was still a small child. [18]

Crowning of the Bard

The 2024 Eisteddfod Crown was designed and created by Elan Rhys Rowlands, who worked with pupils at Ysgol Garth Olwg near Pontypridd, to develop ideas for the design. [17]

Gwynfor Dafydd, a former pupil of nearby Ysgol Llanhari, was awarded the Crown for his collection of free verse poetry. Dafydd, writing under the pen name Samsa, explored his gay relationship with another man and also his relationship to the South Wales valleys. [19]

Prose Medal

The prose Medal, for a work of creative prose not exceeding 40,000 words, was awarded to Eurgain Haf who wrote under the nome de plume of Manaia. Her novel Morfarch Arian (Silver Seahorse) has a family of four with mental health issues as its subject. Fourteen entries were received in total for the competition. [20]

Daniel Owen Memorial Medal

Only five novels of more than 50,000 words were entered into the 2024 competiton, none of them ready for publication. It was decided not to award the medal this year, the first time this had happened since 2017. [21]

Drama Medal

It was announced on the afternoon of 8 August that the Drama Medal wouldn't be awarded that evening. The judging panel had decided to withhold the competition. No further explanation was made. [22]

Gold Medals

Gold medals are awarded to exhibitors at the Eisteddfod's art and design exhibition, Y Lle Celf . The 2024 winners were:

Gorsedd of Bards

Forty-nine people were honoured by the Gorsedd of Bards for their contributions to Wales and/or the Welsh language. They were invested into either the blue or green robes during a special ceremony at the Eisteddfod. [26]

Attendance

The 2024 National Eisteddfod attracted 186,000 visitors and was described as the "greenest Eisteddfod ever". [2] 100,000 visitor journeys passed through Pontypridd railway station and 40,000 people arriving by car used the park-and-ride facilities. [27]

See also

References

  1. Eryl Crump (4 August 2018). "National Eisteddfod 2018: All you need to know". North Wales Live. The Daily Post . Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  2. 1 2 Chris Haines (19 September 2024). "Record visitor numbers for National Eisteddfod in Pontypridd". Business Live. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  3. Christine James (3 August 2024). "The deep history of the National Eisteddfod". Nation.Cymru . Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  4. 1 2 Andrew Forgrave (3 August 2024). "Eisteddfod fund hits £450K as veteran campaigner outlines solutions for Welsh language". Daily Post . Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  5. "Eisteddfod locations - List of locations of the modern day Eisteddfod". National Eisteddfod of Wales. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  6. 1 2 "'Welsh culture belongs to everyone': Rhondda Cynon Taf begin National Eisteddfod preparations". Nation.Cymru. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  7. "Rhondda Cynon Taf prepares for first National Eisteddfod in 68 years". BBC News. 4 March 2023. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  8. "This Saturday 24th June sees the Eisteddfod Proclamation Ceremony in Aberdare". AberdareOnline. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  9. 1 2 Branwen Jones (7 August 2023). "Pontypridd to host 2024 National Eisteddfod". Wales Online. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 Branwen Jones; Ruth Mosalski (9 July 2024). "National Eisteddfod 2024 in Pontypridd: Ynysangharad Park and lido closures, ticket prices, opening times, free fringe events". Wales Online. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  11. 1 2 Ryan Leston (1 August 2024). "Eisteddfod crowds urged to leave their cars at home". BBC News . Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Reem Ahmed (21 July 2024). "'Pride, excitement and a bit of apprehension' What people think of the National Eisteddfod coming to Pontypridd". Wales Online. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  13. "Eisteddfod 2024 at Pontypridd: Dates, travel". ITV News . 1 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  14. "TUC Cymru at the Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod 2024". TUC. 15 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  15. "ARFOR Events at Rhondda Cynon Taf Eisteddfod 2024". Arsyllfa. 2 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  16. "Location plans released for Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod 2024". Nation.Cymru. 6 March 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  17. 1 2 Aled Huw (13 June 2024). "Dadorchuddio Cadair a Choron Prifwyl Rhondda Cynon Taf". BBC Cymru Fyw (in Welsh). Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  18. "Carwyn Eckley wins 2024 National Eisteddfod Chair". Nation.Cymru. 9 August 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  19. "Journalist wins Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod Crown". Nation.Cymru. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
  20. "2024 Eisteddfod Prose Medal winner announced". Nation.Cymru. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  21. "'Siom': Neb yn deilwng o Wobr Goffa Daniel Owen eleni". Newyddion S4C (in Welsh). 6 August 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  22. Julie McNicholls Vale (8 August 2024). "Eisteddfod drama medal competition will not go ahead". Cambrian News. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  23. "Laura Thomas wins the Gold Medal for Craft and Design". National Eisteddfod. 3 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  24. "Blacksmith and metal artist wins Eisteddfod Gold Medal". Nation.Cymru. 3 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  25. Elizabeth Birt (6 August 2024). "Raglan stable conversion wins at National Eisteddfod 2024". South Wales Argus . Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  26. Eryl Crump (20 May 2024). "The full list of Gorsedd honours for the 2024 National Eisteddfod". Daily Post. North Wales. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  27. Ellie Gosley (14 August 2024). "'We've never been busier': The impact of the Eisteddfod on Pontypridd as thousands visit event". Wales Online. Retrieved 9 August 2025.

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