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.JPG?lang=en) Eisteddfod stone in Birkenhead Park | |
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| Native name | Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru, Penbedw 1917 |
|---|---|
| Date | 6 September 1917 |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Location | Birkenhead Park[1] |
| Coordinates | 53°23′36″N 3°2′29″W / 53.39333°N 3.04139°W |
| Theme | Welsh language youth culture |
The 1917 Birkenhead National Eisteddfod of Wales (Welsh: Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru, Penbedw 1917) was held in Birkenhead Park, Birkenhead, Cheshire in England on 6 September 1917.[2] This was the third time the National Eisteddfod of Wales had been held in Birkenhead.
The 1917 Eisteddfod became known as The Eisteddfod of the Black Chair, as a result of the Chair winner Ellis Humphrey Evans having been killed shortly beforehand in the Great War of 1914-1918.
Background
The Urdd National Eisteddfod of Wales is the largest youth festival in Europe and had been held every year since 1929 (except 1941–45), organised by the Urdd Gobaith Cymru.[3] The festival gives an opportunity for school children and young people to compete in a variety of events, celebrating Welsh culture and the Welsh language, covering all aspects of the school curriculum.[3] Modern day competitions include literature, poetry, dancing and all forms of music.[1] The Urdd Eisteddfod normally takes place to coincide with the half term school holiday, around the beginning of June.
This would be the fifth time the Urdd Eisteddfod had visited the Vale of Clwyd and the first time it had been to Denbighshire since 2006.[4] An initial meeting took place in June 2020 to discuss inviting the Urdd Eisteddfod back to the county.[5] Originally scheduled to take place in May 2020, the Denbighshire Urdd Eisteddfod was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. An online 'Eisteddfod T' was held in its place during the Urdd Eisteddfod week[6] and again in 2021.
With the 2022 Urdd Eisteddfod celebrating 100 years of the Urdd organisation, the Welsh Government gave £527,000 to ensure admission to the festival would be free to everyone.[4]
Proclamation
The proclamation event of the Birkenhead Eisteddfod took place on Cannon Hill in the town on 24 June 1916. In addition to the Archdruid and secretary of the Gorsedd, others taking part included Members of Parliament W. Llewelyn Williams and J. H. Hinds, and the Mayor and Mayoress of Birkenhead.[7]
2022 location and facilities
The main Eisteddfod events took place on the Maes located on fields of Kilford Farm on Whitchurch Road near Denbigh. With the nearest railway station being at Rhyl, access to the site was by car or public transport bus service.[2]
Notable awards and competitions
There were 70,530 competitors registered for the 2022 Urdd Eisteddfod.[1]
In a complete change to previous Urdd Eisteddfods, at the 2022 event there were a number of main stages allowing every competitor to perform to an audience, rather than potentially being eliminated in preliminary rounds behind closed doors.[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Urdd Eisteddfod: Denbighshire event under way in 100th year". BBC News. 30 May 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Urdd National Eisteddfod 2022: Getting there, parking tickets, and else everything you need to know". Daily Post. North Wales. 30 May 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ a b Eryl Crump (27 January 2012). "The Urdd National Eisteddfod is Europe's largest competitive youth festival". Daily Post. North Wales. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ a b c Eryl Crump (29 May 2022). "Urdd National Eisteddfod returns after three year break and is set to welcome more than 90,000 people". Daily Post. North Wales. Retrieved 29 October 2025. Cite error: The named reference "DP eisteddfod returns" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ "Trafod gwahodd Eisteddfod yr Urdd 2020 i Sir Ddinbych". BBC Cymru Fyw (in Welsh). 14 June 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ "Eisteddfod to replace cancelled Urdd National Eisteddfod - here's what to expect". Daily Post. North Wales. 24 April 2020. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ "National Eisteddfod of 1917l". The North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser for the Principality. 30 June 2016. p. 3. Retrieved 2 November 2025 – via Welsh Newspapers Online.
- ^ Eryl Crump (5 June 2022). "Urdd National Eisteddfod 2022 branded 'very special' as event comes to close". Daily Post. North Wales. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
Birkenhead National Eisteddfod
Birkenhead National Eisteddfod
Category:Birkenhead
Category:Festivals in Cheshire
Category:National Eisteddfod of Wales