The National Urdd Eisteddfod has been cancelled due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, it has been confirmed.
Urdd Gobaith Cymru has made the decision “for the health and wellbeing of its members, staff and volunteers”.
The event, which is usually attended by thousands of people, including hundreds of schoolchildren, was due to take place in Denbighshire between Monday, May 25, and Saturday, May 30.
As well as the main Eisteddfod event, the Urdd has announced that all local and regional Eisteddfodau - which take place to decide who makes it through to the main event - are cancelled with immediate effect.
In addition, the Urdd’s residential centres at Llangrannog, Cardiff and Glan-Llyn will be closed from this Friday until further notice, while all national sports competitions and all community activities organised by the Urdd are off until further notice.
Urdd chief executive, Siân Lewis, confirmed the news by saying: “It’s hugely disappointing for all involved to have to close our centres and cancel our events, but the safety and wellbeing of our staff, members and supporters is paramount.
"Our aim now is to safeguard the organisation through planning a sustainable future and utilising our energy, commitment and values to help Wales cope with this crisis.
“The movement, formed nearly a century ago with a firm commitment to Wales and wider humanity, will discuss the current situation with government ministers and also explore how the Urdd and its staff could best be deployed to meet the mounting challenges facing the elderly and most vulnerable in Wales.”
The National Urdd Eisteddfod is now set to take place - in the same location in Denbighshire - in the summer of 2021, and the Urdd has said it is in a “continuous discussion” with its broadcasting partners, S4C and BBC Radio Cymru, regarding what it does next.
It is also in talks with the Welsh Government about the impact the cancellations and closures will have on its 320 employees, as well as the students around Wales who will be affected.
On a financial level, the Urdd estimated that Monday morning’s announcement could cost it as much as £4m.
