As a Welsh girl, I continually face the question: what is the Eisteddfod?

It has been an integral part of Welsh culture since the 1100s, when a festival, including music and poetry, took place in Cardigan. Sadly the Eisteddfod faded away, due to the loss of the Bardic tradition. A Bard was a professional poet, who was employed in medieval times by a patron. In the 18th Century many revivals of the festival began, and thankfully the Eisteddfod exists fully-formed today.

It is a Welsh cultural extravaganza. A yearly event, it literally translates as 'to be sitting together' - eistedd meaning 'to sit', and bod meaning 'to be'. It is a festival which includes much musical celebration, literature, and drama. Categories are ever-growing and provide many opportunities for people to showcase their talents.

Most people in Wales become familiar with the festival during childhood: many memories are created in school Eisteddfods. These usually take place on 1 March, St David's Day. He is the patron saint of Wales and his day is the perfect time to celebrate all things Welsh. Children across the country wear national dress. For girls that is a red skirt, checkered apron, white shirt, shawl, black bonnet, and a daffodil - the Welsh national flower. Boys wear black trousers and a white shirt often accessorised with a leek or a daffodil.

School Eisteddfods vary across the country and I can only account for my own experience: in my school, it was done on a grand scale. We were divided into 4 separate houses, and each competition entry - poetry recitation, folk-song, dance, debate - was judged and marked. At the end of the day, marks were tallied and the winning house announced. The day holds memories not only of Welsh pride, but also pride in my house and a healthy sense of competition. And, most of all, the half-day holiday off school!

An important part of the Eisteddfod is associated with the Bard. The Crowning of the Bard ceremony is the presentation of an award, traditionally a hand-carved chair, to the winning poet - the Eisteddfod is an excellent opportunity to celebrate Welsh literature. The grand finale brings a swell of national pride. Everyone stands and joins together singing the national anthem Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau - waving Welsh flags and inflatable daffodils. After the tough competition of the day, there is a feeling of togetherness. The height of the celebration is reached in the boom of the chorus as tiny schoolgirls and sturdy rugby teachers alike shout with pride 'Gwlad, gwlad!' Nationally, for 7-24-year-olds, there is a Youth Eisteddfod - Eisteddfod yr Urdd. Location changes yearly: in 2010 it is at Llanerchaeron, Ceredigion from 31 May to 5 June. Entries are generally of a good standard: competitors have to qualify from regional heats.

The apex of all these artistic festivals is the annual National Eisteddfod of Wales. Location changes yearly: Eisteddfod 2010 is in Ebbw Vale in the county of Blaenau Gwent in South East Wales. It runs for 8 days in the first week of August, drawing entries from across Wales and broadcast nationally, with all performances in Welsh and thousands of visitors. In 2006, 150,000 people attended, with 6,000 taking part. It is huge fun for visitors and everyone living in Wales, from school-children to grandparents. There's a sense of national pride which warms the heart, and the union of people embracing their creativity and Welsh culture will hopefully continue to inspire many generations to come.

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(c) Emma Wood 1 January 2010