The festival was cancelled in 2001 due to the foot-and-mouth crisis

The six-day cultural festival is being held at Margam Park, in south Wales.

Around 100,000 visitors are expected to attend the festival over the Whitsun week.

Neath Port Talbot Council and the Urdd Eisteddfod Committee said they are both committed to making this year's festival at Margam a success.

It has suffered from a number of financial setbacks in the past, including its cancellation in 2001 because of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Margam Park is a truly magnificent location - it will be the best ever Maes in the festival's history Eurig Davies

Eurig Davies, Chairman of the Eisteddfod Executive Committee, said he was looking forward to the festival.

"The children of Wales will receive an excellent welcome from Neath Port Talbot and will have the opportunity to become involved in lots of things," he said.

"Margam Park is a truly magnificent location - it will be the best ever Maes in the festival's history.

"The event attracts worldwide coverage so as well as being a cultural opportunity for the youth of Wales, it will also project the very best of Neath Port Talbot across the world."

Last year's Urdd eisteddfod, staged in Cardiff, saw record-breaking crowds of 100,000 people, including visitors from 48 countries.

Wales's new Minister for Culture, Welsh Language and Sport, Alun Pugh, will be visiting the festival.

He will be among a number of high-profile visitors, including First Minister Rhodri Morgan.

The Ministers will be at the Welsh Assembly Government pavilion on the day of their visit, where children and young people will have the opportunity to talk to them about the issues that concern them.

The first prize of the week was won for literature by Nia Peris.