27 July 2020

The first week of August is always a busy year for fans of Welsh culture and August 2020 promised to be a big year for Tregaron.

But with many big events already cancelled, the disappointment that the National Eisteddfod could not visit Tregaron this year was felt throughout Wales.

S4C is therefore pleased to offer a full and exciting schedule of varied entertainment to fill the gap in our lives.

"The intention is to offer content, in conjunction with the Eisteddfod, to any Eisteddfod goer who is at loss by not being able to visit the Maes this year.

"New programmes will be mixed with favourites from the archive to make sure there is something for everyone to savour and enjoy no matter what" said Elen Rhys, S4C's Commissioner for Entertainment.

"Each night, new content takes us from the Babell Lên (Literature Tent) to Maes B, to the best of the Pavilion to the people and their stories. Whatever the Eisteddfod means to you, you will get a dose of it on S4C.

"To top it all off, on Saturday 7 August, Sioe yr Eisteddfod Goll (the Show of the lost Eisteddfod) will be a multi-genre performance celebrating the best of the festival.

"There may not be a Pavilion and a Green Bar, but you can take a seat for the best gig of the year on the last Saturday of the festival.

"Our nation's stars will get together to celebrate, entertain and give thanks with each performance conveying the spirit of this extraordinary time, in what has been an unprecedented year."

Musician Robat Arwyn said, "It's great to see musicians and composers coming together to create something special after such a bleak time for the arts, and I'm really looking forward to hearing Sir Bryn Terfel, Mared Williams and Elain Llwyd performing some of my songs again!".

Also performing will be Al Lewis, "The fact that we can't come together as a nation has been a huge disappointment to everyone I'm sure, but this concert is a great chance to celebrate and entertain. Personally, it is an opportunity to reconnect with the enthusiastic and warm audience of the Eisteddfod again, who will be watching from home this time. Until next year….!".

Before that, of course, there will be a packed week of entertainment.

To celebrate a landmark milestone, poet Ifor ap Glyn will recall the colourful history of the Babell Lên in Canrif o'r Babell Lên on Monday evening.

On Tuesday evening Tudur Owen will share his experiences of the Eisteddfod in Tudur Owen ar ei Orsedd.

There will be an evening full of music on Wednesday night, starting with Lleisiau'r Eisteddfod gyda Bryn Terfel.

Sir Bryn shares his experience of winning on the Eisteddfod stage as he looks back at the solo singing competitions, such as the Osborne Roberts Memorial Prize, the David Ellis Memorial Prize (Blue Ribbon) and the W Towyn Roberts Scholarship.

Then, time for the Maes B crew to make their voices heard as the bands who should have performed live make a noise on Maes B o Bell.

At 10.30, there will be a special episode of Ochr 1 which will give Yws Gwynedd fans a chance to see highlights from the Anglesey Eisteddfod gig in 2017.

On Thursday, the Clasuron y Sioeau Cerdd will offer the opportunity to experience some of the Eisteddfod's iconic musicals over the decades – a chance to hear incredible first-hand stories behind nostalgic shows like Nia Ben Aur.

On Friday night, Tara Bethan leads a tour of the virtual Maes bringing all the highlights of the festival into your home.

Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Betsan Moses, said, "This has been a very different year for us as an Eisteddfod, as for everyone else, but we were determined to make sure people could have some kind of Eisteddfod experience, and by working with partners like S4C, we have achieved this!

"In addition to the on-screen content, we will offer around 500 other activities across a number of platforms, including our website, YouTube channel and social media.

"And unlike a 'normal' Eisteddfod, it will be possible to watch and listen back, rather than gallop across the Maes from place to place. So you can pop from the Babell Lên to the Theatre and over to the Lle Celf without having to leave the couch!

"We are very grateful to everyone who has supported us so far and hope that the audience will get a taste of the week's output."

More information on all the programmes that will be o S4C during the Eisteddfod week, can be found on our National Eisteddfod page.