Academics and students come together for Eisteddfod y Garreg Las

Discussions on politics, explorations of history and discoveries in cancer research are among the topics being covered by Cardiff University at this year’s National Eisteddfod.

Taking place in Llantwd, North Pembrokeshire, this year’s festival runs from 1-8 August.

The result of the recent Senedd Election continues to fascinate and on Saturday 8August, the Societies Session will see Professor Richard Wyn Jones of the Wales Governance Centre lead a discussion exploring what it means for the future of Welsh politics.

Later that day, he will be joining Dr Aled Eirug for a special Q&A session to mark the publication of Dr Eirug’s biography of the late Welsh politician, Dafydd Elis-Thomas.

Other highlights across the week include Gerald of Wales - Thrice to Rome, a dramatised reading of the play on Sunday 2 August featuring former First Minister, Mark Drakeford, as Gerald.

Written by Professor Norman Doe of the School of Law and Politics, the play centres on Gerald’s three appeals to the Papel Court in Rome (1200-03) to recognise his election as Bishop of St Davids and the independence of the Welsh Church from the Archbishop of Canterbury.

On Tuesday 4 August, the School of Welsh’s Emeritus Professor E. Wyn James will deliver the Annual Lecture of Wales International at the Societies Session, titled, “Y byd newydd, ym mha un y preswylia cyfiawnder?”: Morgan John Rhys a Chaethwasiaeth Americanaidd (“The new world, wherein dwelleth righteousness?”: Morgan John Rhys and American Slavery).

Also on 4 August, Dr Iwan Wyn Rees of the School of Welsh will chair a discussion with a panel of researchers and Fflur James, a current BA Welsh and French student, exploring the “Demetian” dialect of y Garreg Las and its surrounding area.

The discussion will provide an opportunity to learn about dialect studies conducted in the area where this year’s Eisteddfod is being held.

Interactive activities will be a key part of Cardiff University’s presence at this year’s festival, with Media Cymru bringing an immersive media experience on Friday 7 August.

The film and TV industry innovators will allow visitors to discover how research and development is shaping the future of media in Wales through live demonstrations of virtual reality and AI.

The Wales Cancer Research Centre is inviting people to create their own DNA bracelet in a family-friendly experience exploring the future of cancer research.

Visitors will also step into an immersive “cancer blast” virtual reality game and add a message to the “Dragon of Hope” to share their hopes for the future of cancer research.

From practising procedures on phantom heads, to placing fillings in realistic tooth models, visitors can also go hands-on with the School of Dentistry’s dental training equipment in an exploration of dental career pathways, while students from the School of Medicine will be giving people the chance to have their blood pressure tested.

Academi Gymraeg staff will be supporting activities and conversations about the Welsh-language opportunities at Cardiff University during the week.

Visitors to the stand interested in research can pick up a copy of Myfyrdodau: A collection of Welsh-medium research by postgraduate students, with four of the featured PhD students on hand on 7 August to talk about their research and facilitate hands on activities for all ages.

The University’s VP Cymraeg, Owain Siôn and UMCC (the Students’ Union) will be present in the tent on 5, 6, 7 and 8 August, with current students on hand to chat about their experiences and courses.

Owain Siôn (VP Cymraeg) and Dr Angharad Naylor (Dean for the Welsh Language) will also host an alumni event on 6 August for past students and friends of Cardiff University.

Dean for the Welsh language for Cardiff University Dr Angharad Naylor said: “It’s always exciting to be part of the National Eisteddfod, which sees thousands of people come together to celebrate everything that is great about Wales and the Welsh language.”

“If you are interested in studying at Cardiff University, do visit our stand during the week where you can meet current students and hear their experiences, as well as  the extra-curricular opportunities available to them during their student journey. We look forward to meeting visitors at what promises to be an exciting week. And of course, pob lwc to all of our students and staff who may competing!”

View the full Eisteddfod programme.