The Eisteddfod was established in 1947 to promote peace and goodwill between nations, and education and knowledge in the arts through the delivery of its annual festival. In 2004 it was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and has hosted performers including Luciano Pavarotti, Shirley Bassey, Catrin Finch and the Manic Street Preachers. Each year the festival attracts talented amateur choirs and dance groups from across the world which are complemented by outstanding Welsh and international professional artists, as well as more informal performances and workshops on the field site.
Audiences for our event come from across of Wales, and our neighbouring counties of England. We offer our audiences a range of engaging and inspiring cultural experiences. We create opportunities to see world-class performers who would not otherwise appear in North Wales and present programming that broadens cultural awareness and encourages participation.
The Eisteddfod has always been a community led initiative and continues on this basis with the support of some 700 volunteers. Bringing significant community benefits, the event attracts around 4000 competitors each year and audiences of around 30,000 throughout the week. This brings economic benefits to the area while the festival is taking place, but also enhances the tourism profile of the region and the country throughout the year.
We are an internationally renowned Eisteddfod - a traditional Welsh event with a twist, which combines a festival with concerts, bands, talks and entertainment, alongside daytime music and dance competitions, which culminate on the Saturday night with popular our Choir of the World, Pendine International Voice of the Future and Dance Champions event. We provide an important platform for young performers, as well as contributing to the cultural ecosystem of North Wales. We also partner with a number of organisations across Wales to ensure that our work reaches communities across the country. At the heart of all that we do is a belief that the common language of music and art can build bridges and forge new links with people around the world.