This film is part of Free

Welsh National Eisteddfod

The ruins of Aberystwyth Castle play host to a celebration of national culture.

Non-Fiction 1916 1 mins Silent

Overview

The annual Eisteddfod ('sitting together') dates back to at least the 12th century, and remains the highlight of the Welsh cultural calendar. It is the largest competitive festival of music and poetry in Europe today. The flowing druidic robes and dramatic procession of this Gorsedd ceremony make for an intriguing visual spectacle, making it an obvious draw for a newsreel like Topical Budget.

Despite referencing ancient druidic tradition, the Gorsedd of Bards ceremony was in fact only introduced to official Eisteddfod proceedings in 1819.