Two summer Welsh cultural events receive funding support

Two of Wales’ flagship cultural events have been provided financial support by the Welsh Government to help with the impact of COVID-19.

Both the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol and Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod have announced that the 2020 summer events will not take place as planned, with the Eisteddfod postponed to take place in Ceredigion in 2021.

Funding of more than £800,000 will be shared by the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol and Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod – to help with business continuity through 2020, including planning and preparation for the 2021 events.

Minister for International Relations and Welsh Language, Eluned Morgan, said: “The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol are two signature events in Wales’ summer events calendar –which provide a fantastic platform to showcase our arts and culture.   We are working closely with the organisers to support them through this difficult period and to assist them in building a sustainable future.

“The National Eisteddfod in its current format has been delivering the festival for well over a hundred years.  In difficult times like these, it’s important to recognise and provide a strong cultural heritage for future generations, as well as nurture and provide a platform for Welsh language artists of the future and to support new works of arts and literature.”

Betsan Moses, Chief executive of Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, said: “Like everyone else, this pandemic has hit the National Eisteddfod hard.  Not only have we had to postpone the festival for a year, we’ve also had to put a stop to all the community events and activities in Ceredigion and Gwynedd for the time being.

“We are very grateful to the Welsh Government for their support during one of the most difficult periods in the Eisteddfod’s history.”

Rhys Davies, Chairman, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod said: “We are very grateful for the support of Welsh Government so that we can continue to promote Welsh Culture on the International stage and spread the Peace Message around the world. There are going to be challenges for all festivals in future so collaboration is the key.”