To an Englishman with ignorance the word is long and confusing and has little relevance to their life. To those who know – the Welsh people – ‘Eisteddfod’ is part of the nation’s cultural identity. The word is ‘Eisteddfod’ is derived from the Welsh word ‘Eistedd’, which means ‘to sit’- setting the scene perfectly for a festival of this nature.

The Eisteddfod is a world class festival, welcoming visitors to be part of a gathering of people celebrating the rich culture of Wales. The festival has a long history stretching back to the mid twelfth century, and is easily one of the top things to do in Wales. It is important for the Welsh national identity, as it is a celebration of the culture including the language and the arts.

I wanted to know first hand what all the noise was about, so I decided that I would start looking for holidays in Wales, to gain first-hand experience. As the festival lasts for the first week in August, you can plan your accommodation in advance. There are many opportunities to attend the festival whilst renting one of the many delightful holiday cottages in Wales. You could time it perfectly to coincide with some of the shortbreaks on offer from ‘Wales in Style’ and their selection of shortbreaks in wales.

I had been informed that the festival had been the starting point for a number of famous artists on their way to the top. Probably the most famous of the past winners would be internationally reknowned bariton Bryn Terfel.

What is impressive about the whole event is the large variety of performances on offer, along with the different ceromonies, competitions and periferal concerts. It’s not just about traditional singing, which of course is world renowned, but involves many different styles such as pop, hip-hop, folk and rock. Possibly you would be surprised to know that the festival runs on the labours of many volunteers from all backgrounds of society. If you want to offer your services to help in whatever way you can, then ring this number: (0845) 122 2033.