RHUDDLAN could host the largest annual music and poetry festival in Europe – generating around £22m for its economy.
Denbighshire County Council’s cabinet will today (Tuesday) vote on whether to put forward the county for hosting the National Eisteddfod of Wales.
Rhuddlan Town Council are keen for a site in their area to be considered, but the festival’s final location will be decided by the Eisteddfod.
Local authorities, though, are being asked to identify possible sites for consideration, and the council report specifically refers to Rhuddlan as an early candidate.
The event is the largest of several eisteddfods held annually and features eight days of music and poetry competitions and performances.
The National Eisteddfod is often considered one of the great cultural festivals of the world, typically attracting in the region of 150,000 visitors each year, bringing in an estimated £22m.
This year’s event will be held in Llŷn and Eifionydd, Boduan, Gwynedd, from 5 – 12 August 2023.
Denbighshire last hosted the event in Denbigh in 2013.
Whilst locations for the National Eisteddfod and Urdd Eisteddfod have been agreed up to and including 2025, the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) is now preparing locations for between 2026 and 2031.
Typically, the cultural festival alternates between north, south, and mid Wales.
Denbighshire, though, last hosted the Urdd Eisteddfod – the Welsh-language youth festival of literature, music, and performing arts – last year so will likely resist submitting for consideration.
The WLGA has partnership agreements in place to help fund both eisteddfods.
The report has been put forward by lead member for the Welsh Language Cllr Emrys Wynne.
Denbighshire’s cabinet are scheduled to discuss the matter today (Tuesday).
