On Monday, 25 January the National Eisteddfod's Management Board announced that the Ceredigion National Eisteddfod has been postponed until 2022. The aim is to hold the Eisteddfod in Tregaron in August 2022, moving the Llŷn and Eifionydd festival to August 2023, and then visit Rhondda Cynon Taf in 2024.
Eisteddfod Chief Executive Betsan Moses said:
“We’re facing another extremely challenging year. Losing another Eisteddfod will have a far-reaching effect on us as an organisation. Yesterday, we had to launch a consultation process with staff as we’ll have to reduce the team to half its size in order to survive. Announcing this today is heartbreaking for everyone involved in the Eisteddfod.”
In response to the announcement, Ben Lake MP has tabled a Parliamentary Motion to sympathise with the Eisteddfod organisers and to express deep concern about the huge challenges facing the orgainsation as a result of this inevitable decision.
The Parliamentary Motion reads as follows:
“That this House notes with sadness the unavoidable and sensible postponement of the National Eisteddfod of Wales in Ceredigion until 2022 due to the covid-19 pandemic; expresses deep concern about the incredibly difficult financial situation this poses for the festival organisers and for staff who are now at risk of redundancy; asks the UK Government what financial assistance it can provide to help support Wales’ premiere cultural festival; commends the ongoing work of the Eisteddfod AmGen for providing alternative ways for people across Wales to celebrate the Eisteddfod during the pandemic; and looks forward to people coming together in-person for Eisteddfod 2022.”
Ben Lake MP said:
"It goes without saying that the decision to postpone the festival again this year will be disappointing to communities across the county who have worked so hard to prepare and raise funds to welcome the national festival to Ceredigion, but I'm sure everyone will agree that it's the right and sensible decision to take under the circumstances.”
"My main concern is the impact this decision will have on the National Eisteddfod's financial situation and the knock-on effect on its experienced workforce. My Parliamentary Motion calls on the UK Government to give financial assistance to the organisation to help support Wales' premiere cultural festival, so that we can look forward with confidence to the Eisteddfod in 2022.”
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