National Eisteddfod marks 850 years of Welsh cultural event

The National Eisteddfod, Wales' biggest cultural event and Europe's largest touring festival is marking 850 years since it first started.

This year's event marks 850 years since the first Eisteddfod was held at Castell Aberteifi or Cardigan castle in 1176.

The 2026 National Eisteddfod, called Eisteddfod Y Garreg Las, takes place in North Pembrokeshire near to that first site in Llantwd (Llandudoch), 1-8 August.

The festival which celebrates Welsh language, culture and creativity will feature more than 1,000 events and activities.

The National Eisteddfod of Wales is Wales' largest celebration of Welsh language, arts and culture.

It takes place in August in a different Welsh location each year, swapping between North and South Wales.

It is Wales' largest cultural event and Europe's largest touring festival and attracts around 150,000 people a year.

Eisteddfod roughly translates into English as 'sitting-together'.

There are many different Eisteddfodau which take place all over Wales including the youth festival, Eisteddfod Yr Urdd.

They all include a competitive element and promote Welsh language and culture.

The first recorded Eisteddfod was hosted by Lord Rhys ap Gruffudd, a powerful Welsh ruler, at Cardigan Castle in 1176.

He invited poets and musicians from all over Wales and other Celtic nations to compete, awarding a chair at his table to the winner.

This year's Eisteddfod y Garreg Las in Pembrokeshire takes place just a few miles from the 1176 gathering.

Like previous Eisteddfodau there are activities, performances and competitions.

Unlike Urdd Eisteddfod which is primarily for children and young people, the national Eisteddfod has competitions for adults and children.

Under-12 competitions include Cerdd Dant, A traditional art form with harp and singing, and Welsh folk dancing.

To celebrate 850 years since Lord Rhys held the first Eisteddfod, a puppet of the Welsh leader along with his dog Teifi has been travelling through communities in Pembrokeshire over the last few weeks.

The five-metre-tall puppet will end its journey at the site of the Esiteddfod on the Saturday.

The Gorsedd honourstake place on the main stage.

Gorsedd Cymru previously called Gorsedd of the Bards is an association which recognise those who have contributed to the arts, music, science and sport in the Welsh language.

The head of the Gorsedd is called the archdruid who conducts the ceremonies (the Crowning, the presentation of the Prose Medal and the Chairing).

The different robes are three different colours - blue, green and white.

The green robes are given to honorary members for contribution to the arts in the Welsh language. Writer Malachy Owain Edwards and singer and broadcaster Aleighcia Scott are both being honoured this year.

The blue robes are for people honoured in non-arts fields like science, media, sport or law.

This year Angharad James, the youngest woman ever to win 100 caps for the Welsh women's football team is one of the people getting a blue robe. The One Show's Alex Jones became a member of the Gorsedd back in 2015.

The white robes are awarded to people who have won the main National Eisteddfod competitions.