Llŷn ac Eifionydd National Eisteddfod 2023

Swansea University presence at the National Eisteddfod of Wales

The University enjoyed a very full and successful week of activities at the Llŷn ac Eifionydd National Eisteddfod 2023.

Together with the local Literature Committee, societies and friends, the University worked to curate a varied and lively programme in the Literature Pavilion, with the University sponsoring that pavilion. The lectures, discussion panels and engaging presentations held throughout the week in the Literature Pavilion attracted large audiences, as well as considerable coverage on S4C's evening programmes. The week's highlights can be viewed here.

Students, staff and friends of the University contributed to activities in the Literature Pavilion, the Societies Pavilion, the Coleg Cymraeg stand and a number of other locations. These included Dr Non Vaughan Williams, Dr Gwennan Higham, Dr Grug Muse, Emily Evans, Alpha Evans, Dr Aneirin Karadog, Lord Dafydd Wigley, the Chief Poet Twm Morys and Professor Christine James. Further information about our activities is available here. Swansea University would like to congratulate and extend thanks to the staff and students who contributed to these sessions.

The highlight of the week was witnessing the magnificent achievement of Professor Alan Llwyd from the Department of Welsh, who won the Chair of the Eisteddfod for the third time, and we extend our warmest congratulations to him. Further information is available here. I hope we will all soon have an opportunity to celebrate this achievement with him.

Congratulations also to our colleague, Dr Rhian Meara, on winning the Eilir Hedd Morgan Memorial Prize awarded by the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol. The prize was awarded to her for her dedication and her contribution to the teaching of science, specifically Geography, through the medium of Welsh in Swansea University and you can read more about her here.

Swansea University's Science and Engineering Faculty made another important and exciting contribution to the Eisteddfod's activities this year through sponsoring and providing the Science and Technology Medal. The medal was created on the Bay Campus through combining layers of 3D printed metal. In a ceremony presided over by Elin Rhys, who is a member of the University's Council, and with contributions from Professor David Smith and Professor Trystan Watson, the medal was awarded to Professor Alan Shore.

Professor David Smith, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean for the Faculty of Science and Engineering, said: "It was a delight to work in partnership with the Eisteddfod to sponsor and produce the Science and Technology medal. Several highly skilled teams came together to produce the unique medal using 3D printed metal at the Materials Advanced Characterisation Centre (MACH1). It's been an exciting new venture and we're proud to have been part of the celebration of science and technology activities through the medium of Welsh."

Professor Gwenno Ffrancon, Director of Academi Hywel Teifi, said: ”I would like to thank all members of staff who worked so hard to organise our activities and ensure that the University succeeded in connecting with so many visitors to the Maes once again this year, in an Eisteddfod which broke several records and attracted in excess of 150,000 visitors. We are now looking forward now to Pontypridd and Rhondda Cynon Taf Eisteddfod in 2024."

You can see pictures of Swansea University's activities during the week here.