Over 140,000 Visited Abergavenny For The National Eisteddfod 2016

Abergavenny has again welcomed Wales’ biggest festival of Welsh culture and arts into the town after more than 100 years.

For 7 days Castle Meadows has been transformed for the historic celebration, showcasing events, stalls, performances food and lots more for people of all ages to enjoy.

It was particularly great to see that some local independent shops including Jacobi’s, Baroque Boutique and the Chock Shop were given the opportunity to show visitors a taste of the town (although we would have loved for more people to have headed in and enjoyed all the festivities that were put on).

Jacobi’s butterfly painting art stall.

As first time visitors to the National Eisteddfod and being non-fluent Welsh speakers we were in awe and bemusement in equal measures at the Prose Medal Ceremony held in the Pavilion, during which the winner was brought on stage out of the audience, was robed, and then had a giant sword unsheathed and sheathed above his head by chanting druids dressed in gold, white and blue garments.

Prose Medal Ceremony – click for more images of the Eisteddfod

Other highlights included the numerous bands that took to the Open Air Stage (Llwyfan Y Maes) who gave the Eisteddfod a true summer festival vibe.

Llareggub Brass Band – click for more images of the Eisteddfod

The entire site was decorated with coloured flags, boards painted with idols of Welsh culture including Arglwyddes Llanofer and Gareth Bale, a synthetic stone circle and Zimele’s ‘big knit’ woolen trees. Visitors and residents alike were also spoiled by the natural backdrop of the Blorenge, as well as the Clock Tower and Abergavenny Castle.

Gareth Bale there in spirit – Click for more images of the Eisteddfod

We will leave you with our 30 second video of this year’s Eisteddfod. Let us know how you found the Eisteddfod in the comments below.