BBC Central Square in Cardiff announced as home of 2021 Gorsedd ceremonies

BBC Cymru Wales has announced that BBC Central Square in Cardiff will be the home of the Gorsedd ceremonies at Eisteddfod AmGen 2021.

The Eisteddfod AmGen is a partnership between the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, BBC Cymru Wales and S4C – with the Welsh language festival’s main ceremonies coming live from BBC Wales’ headquarters in Cardiff.

A deputation of Gorsedd members, led by Archdruid Myrddin ap Dafydd, will hold the Crowning, Literature Medal and Chairing ceremonies on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

For the first time, the ceremonies will be held in the evening – starting at 8pm, and will be available to watch live on S4C and to hear on BBC Radio Cymru.

Rhuanedd Richards, Head of BBC Wales Content and Services said: “When the doors of BBC Cymru Wales’ headquarters in Cardiff were opened last year, we made a commitment that we’d ensure that the Welsh language would be at the very heart of our activities as well as our broadcasting at Central Square.

“I’m over the moon therefore to welcome the Eisteddfod, the Gorsedd and the audiences of the Eisteddfod programmes to the building, allowing our poets and writers to be honoured by the nation. The content will be available to watch, hear and follow on BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Cymru Fyw and S4C and we look forward eagerly to see who will be successful this year.”

‘Traditions’ 

Myrddin ap Dafydd said: “The Gorsedd and I are really looking forward to the Eisteddfod week. It’s so good to know we can conduct the Gorsedd’s traditions, despite the restrictions of course.

“It’s more important than ever that we offer an opportunity to literary talents and then celebrate – hopefully – their success and creativity this year. I’m grateful to everyone who has been part of the preparations and discussions over the past months that has meant we can hold these honorary and colourful ceremonies.”

“Like everyone else, I’m very much looking forward to hearing who will be honoured this year, and certainly, if there are winners, the experience will be a little different, but the achievement of being awarded the prize at the Eisteddfod remains the same and our intention and duty is to try to make that experience as special and memorable as ever.”

The full results will be available on the Cymru Fyw website and app.

• Monday 2 August, 8pm – The Drama Medal
• Tuesday 3 August, 8pm – The Daniel Owen Prize
• Wednesday 4 August, 8pm – The Crowning
• Thursday 5 August, 8pm – The Literature Medal
• Friday 6 August, 8pm – The Chairing

Full details on how to watch and listen across all platforms are available at: www.eisteddfod.cymru/amgen-2021-maes.