About Wales

Culture

From Dylan Thomas to Richard Burton to Bryn Terfel and Katherine Jenkins, our small nation has produced an array of internationally acclaimed talent.

Wales has a distinct cultural identity and historical reputation as a land of poetry and song.

This cultural heritage is celebrated in festivals across the country called Eisteddfodau where artists, poets, dancers and musicians compete. These events are a celebration of Welsh culture through the medium of Welsh, an exception being the International Eisteddfod which takes place in the northern town of Llangollen each year and is a celebration of folk traditions from all over the world.

The National Eisteddfod (Eisteddfod Cenedlaethol) is the largest festival of competitive music and poetry in Europe.

The Urdd Eisteddfod organised by Wales's largest youth movement, Urdd Gobaith Cymru, bringing together children for a week of competition of singing, recitation, dancing, acting and musicianship.