eisteddfod

Traditional Welsh gathering lasting up to a week and dedicated to the encouragement of the bardic arts of music, poetry, and literature. The custom dates from pre‐Christian times.

Towns and rural communities often hold their own annual eisteddfod. The national eisteddfod was discontinued from the late 17th century until the beginning of the 19th century. Since then the Royal National Eisteddfod has been held annually, at the beginning of August, at a different site each year. During the meetings bardic degrees are awarded and the traditional eisteddfod culminates with the ceremony of ‘chairing’ the bard (composer of the best verse in strict metre).