Prince of Wales and the Eisteddfod...or, Legacy of the Ancient Druidic Order: article.wn/view/2013/07/03/National_Eisteddfod_Denbigh_Pink_pavilion_hoisted_into_place/ welshwales.co.uk/welsh_heritage.htm youtu.be/AzwqEryew58 The National Eisteddfod of Wales is Europes oldest and largest festival of culture, literature and indigenous music; its origins backdate to the 12th Century. Every August, the attraction of Waless National Eisteddfod draws 170,000 visitors over a week long event, which is best described as a Welsh cultural and artistic Olympics, a celebration of the Welsh love of art, literature and pageant. Throughout the year, local and regional Welsh Eisteddfodau qualify a total 6,000 competitors for the national event, which range from poets to choirs and musicians to artists. While the Eisteddfod is held at towns and cities alternately in northern and southern Wales, the institution is exclusively Welsh language orientated and provides a high profile focus and convergence of the Welsh speaking communities of Wales. However, the emphasis is not exclusive to Welsh traditional life and historical culture - contemporary cultures, such as Welsh language rock music and the performing arts are discharged with equal Welsh passion (hwyl in Welsh!) The most coveted literary prize in the National Eisteddfod is the chair - indeed, the word Eisteddfod translates as chairing or sitting. This is awarded ceremonially to the most accomplished poet in the competition. The symbol of the chair dates back to 11th Century Eisteddfodau; the chair represented a place of residence for the winner of the poets top prize in the castle of a member of Welsh royalty, or nobility, who were the affluent patrons of the arts in medieval times. The most famous poet was farmers son Ellis Humphrey Evans, who was awarded the Eisteddfod chair posthumously in 1917 after he submitted his work from the front lines of World War One but was killed in action just a few days later. The chair was draped in black as a mark of respect. An Oscar nominated Welsh language movie celebrated this great bard named Hedd Wyn by the Eisteddfod fathers, the Gorsedd. The modern Eisteddfod includes a ceremonial crowning (or Coroni) for less prescribed poetic forms than the strict metrical verse required to qualify for the chairing contest (Cadeirio). The bardic poets are ranked according to accomplishment in their craft - their robes can be green, blue or white to indicate their artistic contribution to Welsh cultural life; the white robes represent the pinnacle of literary achievement.
Posted on: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 03:07:25 +0000
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