National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales preserves and celebrates the sound and moving image heritage of Wales, making it accessible to a wide range of users for enjoyment and learning. Its film collection reflects every aspect of the nation’s social, cultural and working life across the 20th century, giving a fascinating insight into Welsh filmmaking, both amateur and professional.
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Machynlleth. Hen Dref Owain Glyndwr
The National Eisteddfod – an annual celebration of Welsh-language culture - is held in 1937 in Machynlleth, the town where Owain Glyndwr was crowned Prince of Wales in 1404.
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Overview
Lloyd George and other notable people follow in the footsteps of Owain Glyndwr, crowned Prince of Wales in Machynlleth in 1404, as they wend their way to the National Eisteddfod of 1937 for the annual bonanza of Welsh-language cultural activity. Made for screening at the town’s Powys Cinema, local people would have enjoyed the street and market scenes, the day-by-day account of the festival, the VIPs at the Art & Craft Exhibition and been shaken by the fire at Dolgau Farm.
This Eisteddfod notched up a few firsts: female stewards wore Welsh dress and it was decided that Welsh should be the festival’s official language after resignations by some ajudicators in protest both at the increasing use of English and the involvement of Lord Londonderry who had set up the RAF Penrhos Bombing & Gunnery School. Once the Eisteddfod was safely over, pacifists Saunders Lewis, Lewis Valentine and D J Williams, who had set fire to the bombing school, were released from prison, D J Williams having adjudicated from his cell. VIPs that were free to attend the event’s Art, Craft & Science Exhibition included Lloyd George and the Davies sisters of Gregynog.
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