Where is Wales?

How big is Wales?

What is an Eisteddfod?•A celebration of Welsh language and culture•A festival to celebrate music and tradition

•Competitions of all kinds•Meet old and new friends

National Eisteddfod

•Competitions for all ages•Gorsedd – Welsh druids meet•Held annually across Wales

International Eisteddfod

• This is the largest Eisteddfod held every year in Llangollen, North Wales, the third week in July. Over 5000 people from 50 countries compete for prizes.

Three Choirs at Llangollen International Eisteddfod in 2009

singing ‘Gwahoddiad’ (Invitation):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lKEE1mkSBg

Urdd Eisteddfod

• For kids from ages 5 to 25• Held annually across Wales

Brynymor Primary School Choir at an Eisteddfod in

Cardiff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opHhnjcKqbs&feature=autoplay&list=PL2791

CBB226B61ABB&index=9&playnext=2

Urdd Eisteddfod

• http://www.urdd.org• There are three rounds to get through before

you get to the stage in the main pavilion during the Eisteddfod week.

RegionalCountyNational prelims

**National stage**

Dawsnio Disgo 2008 Ceredigion (Cardiganshire Disco Dancing):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRkYiRILNJQ&feature=related

Welsh Immigration to Ohio

• 1818 a group led by John Jones Tirbach left Wales and landed in Baltimore. They were on their way to Cincinnati to join other Welsh immigrants. They landed at Gallipolis for supplies and the women of the party refused to leave, they were so tired of four months of travel at sea.

• From 1830-1860 thousands of others from Wales settled in Jackson and Gallia counties.

The Welsh brought their customs and traditions with them. One was love of

singing!

Early Jackson Eisteddfodau

• Held every few months in alternating Welsh churches

• 1875 the first “official” Eisteddfod held in Oak Hill with several thousand attending.

• 1922 Southern Ohio Eisteddfod Association formed by local Welsh businessmen to “preserve the Welsh language and the cultivation of poetry and music”.

Eisteddfod Movement Grows• 1928 Eisteddfod Auditorium is built near

South Street. It could seat over 2000 people and the stage could hold up to 500!

Eisteddfod Facts

• 1930 the Grand National Eisteddfod held in Jackson. Choirs from all over the country competed for top cash prizes.

• Last Eisteddfod held in the auditorium in October, 1938 due to declining economic conditions due to World War II.

• The Eisteddfod Auditorium was sold and later burned to the ground in February, 1973.

Jackson School Eisteddfod•Evolved from the local town Eisteddfod to a School Eisteddfod by R. R. Thomas in 1924•D. Merrill Davis was “Mr. Eisteddfod” and the driving force behind the traditional school singing event from 1938-1974.•Students were judged and awarded ribbons of “superior, excellent and good”

Today

• In May, you will be taking part in the 89th annual Eisteddfod in Jackson City Schools.

• Jackson Schools holds the ONLY school Eisteddfod in the country!

• You are a big part of keeping this tradition alive so sing with the music in your heart and soul!

• More information on the Jackson Eisteddfod is available at:

• http://www.jacksoneisteddfod.com/timeline.html

Diolch yn fawr!Thanks!

• Sherry Dibari for her work on the website on the Jackson Eisteddfod

• www.jacksoneisteddfod.com• Lisa Jones- Welsh Intern• Lowri Jos• Lynwen Harris• The Jackson City Schools