The latest part of the jigsaw towards finalising this year's National Eisteddfod in Ebbw Vale was revealed last night.
The Bard's Chair, one of the symbols of the Eisteddfod, was unveiled at Glamorgan University to the Executive Committee. It was presented to the committee for the Blaenau Gwent and Heads of the Valleys National Eisteddfod at a ceremony in Treforest.
(Copyright Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru)
Designed by Jeremy Spencer and Richard Randall of the University of Glamorgan, the seat is intended to represent the nib of a quill or pen, with the seat symbolising an open book.
In 2009 and 1998 the chair was not awarded after the judges felt no-one was worthy of sitting in it. As the Archdruid said at the 2009 ceremony (translated from Welsh): "It is more important to preserve standards, than to hold a ceremony", a sentiment which was greeted by a rousing round of applause in the Pavilion.
Let's hope this year a budding Bard will step up to the plate and produce a piece of work worthy of this beautiful chair.
