S'mae pawb,
Wel mae 'cyffro''r
Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yn agoshau. (the excitement of the National Eisteddfod is getting closer) Dwi'n bwriadu bod yna ar y dydd mercher (I'm intending to be there on the wedenesday), felly os dachi'n mynd ar yr un ddiwrnod mi fasai'n braf cyfarfod, am sgwrs a phaned efallai (so if you're going on the same day it'd be nice to meet for a chat and a 'paned' perhaps).
Mae 'na lawer o bethau i weld a gwneud ar faes yr Eisteddfod, dyma rhai o'r pethau fy mod i'n ffindio'n ddiddorol (there are loads of things to see on the Eisteddfod 'Maes', here are some of the things I find interesting):
Uchafbwyntiau'r Eisteddfod (yn fy marn i!):Maes D (pabell y dysgwyr/the learners tent)It's more than a tent these days! Competitions for learners are held here (look at the board giving details of the times of the various activities each day) as well as 'acoustic' performances by various singers/bands. There's a coffee bar staffed by local learners usually. A good place to meet other learners, tutors and share experiences!
Y Pafiliwn Gwyddoniaeth a Thechnoleg /The Science and Technology PavilionThere's plenty of interactive stuff usually, as well as demonstrations (expect flashes and bangs).
Y Lle Celf / The Art PlaceExhibition of the winners work in the Arts & Crafts competitions. Plenty of video installations etc. these days with the emphasis on contemporary work. Plenty of challenging stuff normally, though I've yet to see a pickled sheep...
Stondinau y BBC/S4C - S4C/BBC standsThe main broadcasters generally have big stands with plenty of freebies available so they're always worth a look (get some of your licence fee paid back in pens!)
Y Cyngor Llyfrau/The Welsh Book CouncilImagine a good size bookshop that sells mainly Welsh books. It doesn't exist in the real world, but at the Eisteddfod the Book Councils' stand is as close as you'll get. You'll find stuff for learners of course. Don't forget as well there are many other smaller local bookshop stands to browse through, plenty of 'used' bargains as well.
Y Llwyfanau Perfformio / Performance Stages There are a couple of performance stages on the 'Maes' where various artists give informal performances during the course of the day. There's a list of who's performing next to the stages. A good spot to sit and eat your picnic!
Y Prif Pafiliwn / The Main PavilionThat's the large pink tent which dominates the festival. It's hard to describe quite what goes on here as it's used for various things during the course of the week. In the evening there are a series of concerts there which are all ticket, but during the day various competitions are held, from choirs to clog dancing, brass bands to recitation. I pop in just to see whats going on, though many people happily spend a day at the Eisteddfod without bothering. It'll be full for the main ceremonies but half empty most of the time.
I hope this gives you some idea of what to expect, though I've missed loads I'm sure. There are literally hundreds of stands to browse and you'll find countless oppurtunities to say things like "P'nawn da, ga i baned o goffi os gwelwch yn dda" before adding quickly "dysgwr dwi" !! Don't worry though, the 'Maes' is signposted bilingually and many people at the Eisteddfod will be non Welsh speakers or learners.
Hwyl, Neil