Ready for a record-breaking Urdd Eisteddfod?

One of the most recognisable figures from the event is the Urdd mascot, Mistar Urdd

Every year tens of thousands of young people from all across Wales come together to celebrate Welsh language and culture.

They do this by heading to Europe’s largest travelling youth festival, Eisteddfod yr Urdd.

The festival is held at different locations across Wales each year and usually takes place over half term.

This year's festival is in Maldwyn, Powys, from Monday 27 May to Saturday 1 June.

What is the Urdd Eisteddfod?

Urdd Eisteddfod is Europe’s largest travelling youth festival

Eisteddfod yr Urdd is a festival for young people, where they compete in events including music, literature and performing arts.

There are over 400 competitions taking place, from singing to poetry, street dance to acting, cookery to fashion design, puppets and arts and craft.

Fluent Welsh speakers as well as those learning the language are invited to compete.

Competitions take place on a big stage and are shown on the TV in Wales!

The event is organised by national voluntary youth organisation, Urdd Gobaith Cymru, for young people aged between eight and 25.

This year, the Urdd's organisers say more than 100,000 people have registered to compete - the highest number in the event's history!

What do you think of the chair and the crown from the 2023 Urdd Eisteddfod?

Special attention is given to the festival's main competitions, which include writing poetry and stories.

While other winners receive medals, these winners will receive a chair (y Gadair) or a crown (y Goron) crafted specially for that year's winner!

Who is Mistar Urdd?

The mascot even has his own catchy song, Hei Mistar Urdd

One of the most recognisable figures from the event is the Urdd mascot, Mistar Urdd (Mr Urdd).

Mistar Urdd first appeared in 1976, and is a red, green and white character.

He is part of the Urdd Gobaith Cymru logo.

The mascot even has his own catchy song, Hei Mistar Urdd.

Record-breaking numbers for Urdd 2024

Young people aged between eight and 25 take part in the competitions

With more than 100,000 people expected to take part in Eisteddfod yr Urdd, Llio Maddocks, Director of the Arts, Urdd Gobaith Cymru said:

“It’s great to see so much enthusiasm for the competitions this year.

We are proud of the fact that we attract so many competitors to perform".

The Urdd Eisteddfod has been the start of a career for many Welsh stars.

In 2019, Game of Thrones actor Iwan Rheon said he “got started” after a producer for Welsh soap opera Pobl y Cwm saw him give a performance at the Urdd.

How many people speak Welsh?

The maes (the Welsh name for the site of the festival) can get very busy!

Welsh is one of the oldest languages in Europe.

In 2021, around 538,000 people living in Wales said they could speak the language.

This meant fewer than one in five people could speak the language.

The Welsh government has set a target to have one million Welsh speakers by 2050.