We’ve welcomed Nia’s creativity into the Eisteddfod organisation this year, so for the first time we have a theme! All of this year’s categories will be related in some way to ‘Travelling’ and here they are:
Welsh language prose (2 levels)
Beginner - prose entries of up to 200 words for people who have NOT YET started SSiW Course 3 (old) or Level 2 (new) or attended any Welsh for Adults classes beyond Mynediad.
Write a postcard to a friend about a trip you’ve made – real or imaginary
Post-beginner - prose entries of up to 750 words, open to everyone, on the following topic:
"Fy hoff daith”
Music review (2 levels)
Beginner - A short review, up to a maximum of 250 words, written in English, about a Welsh language band/musical artist/album you have heard. This category is for those who are not yet able to write in Welsh, and the review should aim to recommend Welsh music to other beginners.
Post-beginner - A short review, up to a maximum of 500 words, written in Welsh, about a Welsh language band/musical artist/album.
Welsh language poetry (2 categories)
Short poem - max 20 lines, written in free verse, on the topic " Taith hunllefus! "
Englyn milwr – this is a short 3-line poem, each line having 7 syllables and rhyming at the end. In our Eisteddfod, this is optionally a verbal poetry category. If you’re not confident about writing in Welsh, you’re welcome to record your englyn on SoundCloud and submit the sound file.
An explanation of the form can be found here: 2. Englyn milwr or the soldier’s englyn - Welsh Verse - Poetry Magnum Opus
Here is an example to give you the idea:
Welais i fy ffrind bach i
Ddod allan o’r hen dŷ du
Pwy sy’n nesa ‘te? Dim fi!
And to start you off, here’s your first line. Just create the next two and you’re done!
Wrth fynd am daith un diwrnod
As this is a verbal art form, the number of syllables goes with the pronunciation – so “dw i’n” counts as one. To help you find words to rhyme at the end, have a look at the online rhyming dictionary - Odliadur
Photography / Visual art
A photograph, drawing, painting, electronic art, poster, on a travel theme
Recitation
Recitation of the set poem " Darllen y map yn iawn " by Twm Morys
You can download the words to the poem here Darllen y map yn iawn – Gov.Wales and hear a recitation of the poem on YouTube – Adrodd: Darllen y map yn iawn – Gladys Thomas
What’s your opinion?
This is a special category for those who wish to focus on their speaking skills. It is purely a verbal category, so you just need to speak your opinion, in Welsh, and record it on SoundCloud. The instructions are on the forum if you’re not sure how to do that.
The topic is “ Ddylen ni stopio hedfan? ” and the recording can be up to a maximum of 5 minutes long.
Singing (2 categories)
Soloist – Traws Cambria
This is a beautiful Welsh song by Steve Eaves. You can hear it sung and see the lyrics in Welsh and English at Traws Cambria .
Group – Wrth fynd efo Deio i Dywyn
This is a singing category for more than one person together, i.e. from a duet up to a small group.
The lively song for this category is classed as ‘Irish’ on this website, but it’s definitely Welsh! You can see the lyrics there in Welsh and English, plus it gives you the guitar chords and basic melody.
You can download the complete Categories and Topics document here: Categories and Rules 2019.pdf (365.1 KB)
Here are the lyrics for the 2 Singing categories plus the musical score for Traws Cambria: Singing Items.pdf (668.7 KB)
Y Lolfa who hold the copyright for the book 100 o Ganeuon Pop have given permission for me to share the page with the musical score for Traws Cambria with you for the purposes of the Online Eisteddfod.
The book is available to purchase from Y Lolfa at 100 o Ganeuon Pop