Urdd Gobaith Cymru is delighted to announce that entry to the Denbighshire Urdd National Eisteddfod 2022 will be free.
The announcement comes following confirmation of £527,000 funding from the Welsh Government to allow free entry to the Urdd Eisteddfod, which will be held during May half term (30 May – 4 June 2022) during the organisation’s centenary year.
Education and Welsh Language Minister Jeremy Miles said:
“I’m delighted to support this wonderful festival by announcing that entry to the Urdd Eisteddfod 2022 will be free. I hope that as many people as possible take up the opportunity to attend and celebrate the organisation’s hundredth year.
“It’s testament to the work of the Urdd that so many adults reflect fondly on their experience of attending the Eisteddfod and competing when they were younger. The Urdd Eisteddfod is not only a cultural highlight of our Welsh calendar, but also a fantastic way for our children and young people to see and hear our language, speak it themselves, and take part in the many competitive and social events on offer.”
Urdd Chief Executive, Siân Lewis said:
“We are extremely grateful to Jeremy Miles MS for confirming that the 2022 Urdd National Eisteddfod will be free to attend. It will be the largest national youth arts festival held in Wales since the beginning of the pandemic, and offering free entry will ensure it’s a festival for all.
“We are proud to be an inclusive organisation which is open to children and young people from all backgrounds. We hope to attract more visitors and competitors from all parts of Wales, including those from deprived areas.”
Director of the Urdd Eisteddfod and Arts Department, Siân Eirian added:
“Registration for competing at the 2022 Urdd Eisteddfod has opened today (7 December 2022), which makes this a timely announcement. Individuals, schools, and local ‘Adrannau’ and ‘Aelwydydd’ can now start to think and plan for the competitions.
“Children and young people have missed out on so many cultural activities as a result of Covid, so we’re looking forward to the Eisteddfod immensely, after having to postpone the festival for two years. The support we’ve had from local volunteers and Denbighshire County Council has been fantastic, and we’re excited to continue working together over the next few months to make the Urdd centenary Eisteddfod an unforgettable event.”
Due to the current guidelines regarding Covid-19, over 220 local and regional Eisteddfodau will be held in the spring but without audiences. It has also been decided that all those competing in stage competitions in the 19- and 25-year-old category will go straight through to the Eisteddfod in Denbigh.
Further information regarding the local and regional competition rounds is available on the Urdd Eisteddfod website.
