The Senedd has celebrated the success of the 鈥渂est ever鈥 National Eisteddfod, with more than 186,000 people having attended this year's event in Pontypridd. Heledd Fychan, who represents South Wales Central, praised the 鈥渉ugely successful鈥 2024 Eisteddfod which was held at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park in early August.
Leading a short debate on September 18, she said Pontypridd was a hive of activity, creating a legacy in terms of the Welsh language in the valleys.
She told the Senedd: 鈥淭here is a question to begin with: 'The best Eisteddfod ever. That was the question posed by Tudur Owen, that was the question on the front page of and that was the question on the lips of many of those who attended.鈥
Ms Fychan, a former Pontypridd councillor, said the Eisteddfod had not been held in Rhondda Cynon Taf since 1956, so many people had no idea what to expect.
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She told the debating chamber or Siambr she was tempted to put some Facebook groups on mute in the months leading to the Eisteddfod due to the vitriol.
But she was overjoyed to see the tide turning: 鈥淵ou should have seen the comments 鈥 on these very same websites, with some of the greatest sceptics amongst those praising the event to the skies, and even expressing hopes that the Eisteddfod would return.鈥
Plaid Cymru鈥檚 shadow culture secretary said this year鈥檚 Eisteddfod felt different, with the whole town of Pontypridd part of the event.
Ms Fychan said businesses were packed with people 鈥 鈥渟o much so that some of them ran out of food during the week鈥 鈥 with nearly 40,000 people visiting on the busiest day.
Her party colleague Peredur Owen Griffiths praised a 鈥渨onderful鈥 competition for more than a dozen choirs that had never competed before.
鈥淐horal singing, of course, does give people so much pleasure, but it鈥檚 also of assistance with mental health and it brings communities together,鈥 said the South Wales East MS.
The Conservatives鈥 Tom Giffard described this year鈥檚 Eisteddfod as very successful. Raising the target of a million Welsh speakers by 2050, and doubling daily usage of the language, he said it is important to reach places beyond Welsh-speaking heartlands.
Plaid鈥檚 Sioned Williams said it was a week to remember as she looked forward to next year鈥檚 鈥渟teel and sea鈥 Eisteddfod, which will be held at Margam Park, Neath Port Talbot.
Responding to the debate for the Welsh Government, Jane Hutt said the Eisteddfod gave the Welsh language a renewed energy in the area.
She told the Siambr: 鈥淭his year's Eisteddfod offered an opportunity to show Pontypridd and the valleys at their best, and what is possible by working together. The people of Ponty and the whole county have made Wales proud.鈥
Ms Hutt, who is social justice secretary, said the 2024 event broke records, including being the greenest Eisteddfod ever and 100,000 train journeys taking place.
She said: 鈥淭he Eisteddfod delivered an unforgettable cultural experience for thousands of people in the county, with the Welsh language at the heart of it.鈥
