Eisteddfod

The eisteddfod is the cultural and political high point of the Welsh year, as well as being a national institution full of tradition. The festival has been held every year since 1860, alternating between North and South Wales and always at a different place which, for the duration of the week, becomes the cultural capital of Wales. The ceremony of the "crowning of the bard", which is similar to medieval mastersinger contests, has its origins in a contest first held at Cardigan Castle. In the middle of the 16th century, during the reign of Elizabeth I, this contest became a recognized public competition for poets, subsequently developing into the national festival week which we know today. This contest for the bard's throne, which up to now has always been conducted exclusively in Welsh, includes singing competitions, poetry readings, drama, folk dancing and popular music forms.