GWYL Fawr Aberteifi is Cardigan’s annual Welsh language festival which involves a week-long celebration of music, verse and dance.

The festival was first established in1952 as a semi national Eisteddfod - a stepping stone for competitors between local Eisteddfods and the National Eisteddfod.

This year sees the Festival return to Theatr Mwldan and Cardigan Castle, following the highly successful events of 2017.

Events will take place throughout the week from June 23–July 1, for more information about dates, times and ticket prices please visit the Theatr Mwldan website.

The Festival kicks off on Saturday June 23 with a formal proclamation ceremony held at Cardigan Castle. Tuesday and Thursday evenings are an opportunity to showcase local talent as children and young people (members of CICA) perform a Welsh language musical at the theatre.

Wednesday evening focuses on poetry with local bardic teams battling it out in verse.

Friday and Saturday feature the main event – the traditional Eisteddfod with individuals, groups and choirs travelling to the event from far and wide to compete in a variety of competitions including singing, folk dancing and recitation.

Highlights include the Chairing of the Bard ceremony and the Blue Riband competition for the festival’s champion soloists.

The Festival comes to an end on the Sunday with a morning service at 10am in Capel Mair followed by a grand concert on the Sunday evening in Cardigan Castle featuring Tra Bo Dau and Ar Ol Tri.

Rhys Meirion and Aled Wyn Davies are Tra Bo Dau – two distinct and unique voices which complement each other perfectly.

Their shared sense of humour and mischief is matched only by their lifelong love of music. Both tenors have solo careers in their own rights as well as being members of the Three Welsh Tenors and are well-known throughout Wales and the world.

Ar Ol Tri started life 30 years ago as a small group of 10, singing only unaccompanied songs of varied styles. Now boasting 30 members they regularly compete in eisteddfodau cenedlaethol, as well as performing numerous charity concerts.

Tickets are available to book from Theatr Mwldan’s box office on 01239 621200 and online at www.mwldan.co.uk. Further live events are due to be announced in the coming weeks.