National Eisteddfod called off for a second year due to Covid-19 pandemic

The National Eisteddfod has been called off for a second year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Welsh language festival that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors was due to be held in Tregaron in 2020 but now won’t be held until 2022 at the earliest.

The aim is to hold the Eisteddfod in Tregaron in August 2022, moving the Llŷn and Eifionydd festival to August 2023, and then visit Rhondda Cynon Taf in 2024.

A spokesperson for the festival said that they were entering a “consultative process with staff” in order to make savings so that they could “survive” until next year.

“We are so disappointed to announce that we have taken the difficult decision to postpone the Ceredigion National Eisteddfod until 2022,” they said.

“Having to do this for the second time has been very difficult.

“However, after discussions with the Welsh Government and Public Health Wales on a regular basis for months, it was clear that we would not be able to hold the Eisteddfod in Tregaron this year.

“Thank you for understanding our decision, and thank you for always supporting us. It means so much to us. It’s important that we all look after each other at times like this, so stay safe and well.”

Eisteddfod Court President and Chair of the Management Board, Ashok Ahir, said he didn’t think “today’s announcement will come as a huge surprise to anyone”.

“Naturally, we’re all very disappointed we’ve had to take this decision again, but I’m sure everyone will agree it’s the right and sensible decision for us as a Board to take,” he said.

“We look forward to getting together in Ceredigion, once the virus has waned, and I’m sure that the Ceredigion Eisteddfod will be a festival to remember – and appreciate.  In the meantime, we all need to support each other and our communities across the country and stay safe.”

‘Support’

Eisteddfod Chief Executive Betsan Moses added, “It became increasingly clear in our ongoing discussions with the Welsh Government and Public Health Wales over the past few months that the Eisteddfod could not be held in Tregaron this summer.  As a team, we’re more disappointed than anyone about it, and having to announce this for the second time has been incredibly difficult.

“We’ll be continuing with Eisteddfod AmGen, building on last year’s success, and I’m pleased to say we’re keen to have a strong competing element this time.  We’re already discussing some exciting ideas and options with a few of our partners, and look forward to sharing these with everyone in due course.

“The past year has been unbelievably difficult for everyone.  But on a positive note, it’s been so encouraging to see how we’ve all pulled together for the benefit of the language and our culture.  We’re also pleased to have been able to support so many artists and performers through the Eisteddfod AmGen project during the past few months.

“We’re facing another extremely challenging year. Losing another Eisteddfod will have a far-reaching effect on us as an organisation.  Yesterday, we had to launch a consultation process with staff as we’ll have to reduce the team to half its size in order to survive. Announcing this today is heartbreaking for everyone involved in the Eisteddfod.”