Launch of 2019 Cardiff and the Vale Urdd National Eisteddfod

04/04/2019

On 1st February 2019, an event was held at the Wales Millennium Centre to launch the 2019 Cardiff and the Vale Urdd National Eisteddfod in the company of the city’s children and young people.

A decade since the Cardiff Bay Urdd National Eisteddfod in 2009, the festival which attracts 90,000 visitors each year, will return to the Bay between 27 May – 1 June this year.
The excitement is brewing locally as the Eisteddfod approaches, with some local schools competing for the very first time.

Wristbands now on sale

Also, for the first time this year, entry to the grounds will be free of charge for everybody. Any adults who wish to watch the competitions – at the Prelims or on the Pavilion stage – must buy a wristband for that particular day.
The wristbands are available to buy now at the reduced price of £13 until the end of April by following the link www.urdd.cymru/tickets-eisteddfod or calling the Wales Millennium Centre ticket line 029 2063 6464. Children and young people (under 18 years) don’t need wristbands and there will be no charge for wristbands for competitors (under 25 years).

During the Eisteddfod week, 15,000 children and young people will come together to compete in various competitions ranging from singing, acting and dancing to art, cookery and creating apps. As well as the competitions, there will be a range of activities to choose from including sports sessions, a climbing wall, children’s shows, a funfair, live music and over 80 stalls offering activities and selling a variety of goods. Competitions and performances will continue into the evening with concerts, shows and competitions showcasing local and national talent.

Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas, said: “I am delighted that the Urdd National Eisteddfod will return to Cardiff this summer after 10 years, attracting thousands of young people and their families to Cardiff Bay. The festival will provide school children from Cardiff and beyond the chance to compete and showcase their talents, whilst attracting wider audiences to join in the celebration of Welsh language and culture.
“Last year’s National Eisteddfod in Cardiff was a remarkable event, which was inclusive and welcoming to all. With the fantastic backdrop of Cardiff Bay and a host of activities for everyone, the Urdd Eisteddfod looks set to build on this success, contributing to making Cardiff a truly bilingual city.”

Artistic Director of Wales Millennium Centre, Graeme Farrow said: “As the national arts centre of Wales we are passionate about playing our part in raising the aspirations of young people and therefore we are thrilled to see our world-renowned stage become their platform for competing during the Urdd Eisteddfod this year. We are looking forward to throwing our doors open to and welcoming everyone – whether they are regular attendees or new to the festival.”

Aled Siôn, Director of the Eisteddfod added: “Our aim is to return to the capital city once in every child’s school career to give every young person in Wales the wonderful opportunity to perform at the Wales Millennium Centre.
“To quote Gwyneth Lewis’ words on the spectacular building, “in these stones horizons sing”, the building will certainly be filled with the voices of Wales’ most talented young people during the week who, in turn, will no doubt benefit greatly from the experience. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the 2019 Cardiff and the Vale Urdd National Eisteddfod.”

 

Ar y 1af o Chwefror 2019, yng Nghanolfan Mileniwm Cymru yng nghwmni plant a phobl ifanc y brifddinas, cynhaliwyd digwyddiad i lansio Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd Caerdydd a’r Fro 2019.

Degawd ers cynnal Eisteddfod yr Urdd ym Mae Caerdydd yn 2009, bydd yr ŵyl sy’n denu 90,000 o ymwelwyr yn flynyddol, yn dychwelyd i’r Bae rhwng 27ain o Fai a’r 1af o Fehefin eleni.
Mae’r bwrlwm yn cynyddu yn lleol wrth i’r Eisteddfod agosáu gyda rhai o ysgolion yr ardal yn mynd ati i gystadlu am y tro cyntaf erioed.

Bandiau Braich nawr ar werth

Eleni, am y tro cyntaf hefyd, bydd mynediad i’r Maes am ddim i bawb. Bydd angen i unrhyw oedolyn sydd yn dymuno mynd i wylio’r cystadlu mewn Rhagbrawf neu yn y Pafiliwn brynu Band Braich ar gyfer y diwrnod penodol hwnnw.
Mae’r bandiau braich ar gael i’w prynu nawr am bris gostyngol o £13 tan ddiwedd Ebrill drwy ddilyn y ddolen www.urdd.cymru/tocynnau-eisteddfod neu ffonio Llinell Docynnau Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru ar 029 2063 6464. Ni fydd angen bandiau ar blant a phobl ifanc (dan 18 oed) a bydd bandiau braich am ddim i gystadleuwyr (dan 25 oed).

Yn ystod wythnos yr Eisteddfod, bydd 15,000 o blant a phobl ifanc yn dod ynghyd i gystadlu mewn cystadlaethau sy’n amrywio o ganu, actio a dawnsio i gelf, coginio a chreu ap. Yn ogystal â’r cystadlu, bydd gweithgareddau megis sesiynau chwaraeon, wal ddringo, sioeau i blant, ffair, cerddoriaeth fyw a dros 80 o stondinau amrywiol ar y Maes. Gyda’r nos bydd y cystadlu a’r perfformio’n parhau gyda chyngherddau a sioeau yn dathlu doniau lleol a chenedlaethol.

Dywedodd y Cynghorydd Huw Thomas, Arweinydd Cyngor Caerdydd: “Rydw i wrth fy modd fod Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd yn dychwelyd i Gaerdydd yn ystod yr haf am y tro cyntaf mewn 10 mlynedd, gan ddenu miloedd o pobl ifanc a’u teuluoedd i Fae Caerdydd. Bydd yr ŵyl yn rhoi cyfle i blant Caerdydd a thu hwnt i gystadlu a dangos eu doniau, ac yn denu cynulleidfaoedd ehangach i ymuno yn y dathliad hwn o’r iaith Gymraeg a diwylliant Cymru.
“Roedd Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Caerdydd y llynedd yn ddigwyddiad nodedig, yn gynhwysol ac yn estyn croeso i bawb. Gyda bae arbennig Caerdydd yn gefndir a llu o weithgareddau i bawb, mae Eisteddfod yr Urdd yn siŵr o adeiladu ar hyn gan gyfrannu at wneud Caerdydd yn ddinas wirioneddol ddwyieithog.”

Meddai Graeme Farrow, Cyfarwyddwr Artistig Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru: “Fel canolfan celfyddydau cenedlaethol Cymru, rydym ni’n teimlo’n angerddol dros ledaenu gorwelion pobl ifainc, felly braint o’r mwyaf yw gweld ein llwyfan byd-enwog yn gartref i gystadlaethau Eisteddfod yr Urdd eleni. Edrychwn ymlaen at agor ein drysau a rhoi croeso cynnes i bawb – pa un ai eisteddfodwyr ers blynyddoedd maith, neu’n mynychu’r ŵyl am y tro cyntaf.”

Ychwanegodd Aled Siôn, Cyfarwyddwr Eisteddfod yr Urdd,
“Ein nod yw dychwelyd i’r brifddinas unwaith yn oes ysgol pob plentyn er mwyn rhoi’r cyfle i holl blant a phobl ifanc Cymru gael y wefr o berfformio ar lwyfan genedlaethol Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru.
“Gan ddefnyddio geiriau Gwyneth Lewis ar flaen yr adeilad ysblennydd, bydd y Ganolfan yn “ffwrnais awen” ac yn ferw o gystadlu dros gyfnod yr ŵyl. Edrychwn ymlaen at groesawu pawb i Eisteddfod yr Urdd Caerdydd a’r Fro 2019.”