Next week (29 May – 03 June) thousands of people from across Wales and beyond will flock to Llandovery to enjoy the fun and competitions of the Eisteddfod.

Many local talents and famous faces from Carmarthenshire will support the Eisteddfod in their roles as Presidents of the Day this year.  Alex Jones will swap The One Show sofa for the Maes at the beginning of the week after confirming her role as President of the Day on the first day of the festival. Rugby stars Nigel Owens and Wyn Jones will visit the sports field; and television presenters Heledd Cynwal and Owain Wyn Evans, as well as comedian Elis James will share their experience of the Urdd as they join in the fun on the Maes. Also, before heading to Glastonbury in June, the band Adwaith along with Heledd Watkins from HMS Morris will be Presidents of the Triban festival to round off the week.

More than 900 children will perform on the Eisteddfod Maes in ‘Chwilio’r Chwedl’, the culmination of a year of artistic workshops across the county on Sunday 28 May. As part of the project, the artwork of 500 children will also be displayed all over the Maes, making sure that children across the county had an opportunity to join in the event. On Sunday morning, local children and young people will be in fine voice at the Tabernacle Chapel for the Sunday Service.

Thanks to the contribution and voice of the young members of the Urdd’s boards, the Eisteddfod has introduced several new elements this year to ensure an Urdd for all across the Maes.

Siân Eirian, Director of the Urdd Eisteddfod and the Arts, said: “I’m extremely pleased to add a Primary Choir competition for Learners as part of this year’s festival, and it is nice to see that six choirs have registered to compete. This will give new Welsh speakers of primary school age an opportunity to experience Welsh culture and gain from the experience of performing on the Eisteddfod stage. 

 “This year we are launching Cwiar na Nog, a brand-new LGBTQ+ area on the Eisteddfod Maes.  This new area has been created by the Urdd’s older members to celebrate and learn more about the queer community in Wales. This will be a safe space for children and young adults to socialise and learn more about their identity through the medium of Welsh. Another new area is Nant Caredig, a yurt and quiet space for neurodiverse people or anyone who needs a quiet place to relax and catch their breath away from the busy Maes.

“Following a great response at the Denbighshire Eisteddfod last year, the Urdd is pleased to provide a “stage for all” again this year as the three pavilions – red, white and green – return to the Maes in Llandovery. The Triban festival will also return to round off the Eisteddfod week, with performances by Adwaith and Dafydd Iwan. 

 “Organising and hosting an Eisteddfod is no mean feat. On behalf of the Urdd, I’d like to thank Carmarthenshire County Council for all their support and wonderful collaboration over the past few years; the Executive Committee and all the teams of volunteers for their dedication and hard work over the past five years, creating a buzz and raising money to make the Eisteddfod possible.

“Remember you can still buy your tickets for the Eisteddfod or apply for the low-income tickets. We look forward to welcoming Wales to Llandovery and to the Carmarthenshire Urdd Eisteddfod next week.”

Councillor Darren Price, Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council said: “The whole of Carmarthenshire is ready to welcome the 2023 Urdd Eisteddfod to Llandovery.

“We, as the local authority, are grateful to have the opportunity to work with the Urdd to welcome the Eisteddfod to our county, and it has been a pleasure to support the festival financially and socially for our children, the Welsh language and our nation’s culture.

“Attending the Urdd Eisteddfod, in their own county, will be a unique experience for the children and young people of Carmarthenshire. Therefore, I’m very pleased that free entry for low-income families is available, which will enable every family and child in Carmarthenshire to have an opportunity to attend this unique and special festival.”

Thanks to financial support of £150,000 from the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru, low-income families will be able to claim free tickets to the Urdd Eisteddfod this year. Tickets are still available to buy at a reduced price or low-income tickets can be claimed from the Urdd website until Sunday, 28 May. Tickets for the Maes will also be available to buy at the entrance on the day.