Welsh National Eisteddfod (1916)

'Welsh National Eisteddfod' is showing as part of Through the Dragons Eye: Wales on Screen, a major new collection of over 100 titles weaving together a century of film and television from the BFI National Archive and the National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales, welcoming the new BFI Mediatheque at Wrexham Library.

The Eisteddfod ('sitting together') originated in the 12th century as a competition amongst poets and musicians and is still the most important social and cultural event in the modern Welsh cultural calendar.

This footage shows one of the ceremonies held at the National Eisteddfod of Aberystwyth in 1916. The Gorsedd Circle seen here is located in the ruins of Aberystwyth castle and a speech is in progress. At the close of the proceedings, the Gorsedd of Bards walks in procession led by policemen and firemen carrying the Gorsedd regalia. The Archdruid (Dyfed) is seen in the front row (centre) of white-robed men.

The Gorsedd of Bards has been an integral part of the Eisteddfod since 1819, but despite references to ancient druidic traditions it has a relatively modern history, having been established in 1789. (Lesley Jones)

You can watch over 1600 other complete films and TV programmes from the BFI National Archive free of charge at the BFI Mediatheque. There are Mediatheques at BFI Southbank, London, QUAD, Derby and the new Central Library, Cambridge: http://www.bfi.org.uk/mediatheque http://www.derbyquad.co.uk/bfi-mediatheque http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/leisure/libraries/online/bfi_media.htm
http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/community/libraries/LibHome.htm

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• BFI
• Wales
• Aberystwyth
• poetry
• Eisteddfod
• Welsh
• culture
• BFI National Archive

[grubio1970]

Was that filmed in the ruined abbey, on the hills above llangollen?

[DazedConfused1969]

wow 1916