Politicians speak out about eisteddfod's financial plight

* A scene from this year's big eisteddfod parade.

Politicians have reacted to news earlier this week that Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod is facing a “dire” financial situation.

As llanblogger exclusively revealed, a crisis meeting was held at its Pavilion headquarters on Monday evening at which over 60 grassroots supporters were told by officials that last month’s 2023 festival had made a substantial loss.

This was coupled with an announcement that the executive producer, Camilla King, had been made redundant.

Ideas to secure future of the 76-year-old event were put forward at the meeting and are now being considered by trustees who are working on a survival plan which will include a fundraising campaign.

Politicians on both sides of the political divide have responded to the eisteddfod’s financial plight.

Simon Baynes, Welsh Conservative MP for Clwyd South, said: “I was saddened to hear the news from the Eisteddfod.

“ I am doing my best to help in finding ways forward for this iconic cultural event in Clwyd South.”

And Ken Skates, Welsh Labour Senedd Member for Clwyd South, said:  "This was the first completely in-person International Eisteddfod since Covid, so it was always going to be a challenge to bounce back immediately.

“Hopefully the right support will be available to help the event return to full strength and become fully sustainable."

An official statement on the executive producer’s redundancy from eisteddfod chair Sarah Ecob said: “Camilla is leaving with the thanks of all Board Members and Chairs of the Committees.  

“She has been Executive Producer since September 2021 and steered the festival since the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

And of the general financial situation she said: “The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod has been severely impacted by the aftermath of the Covid pandemic and by the current cost of living crisis.  

“Like many other cultural organisations, the Eisteddfod is facing an extremely challenging future due to our financial situation.  

“The Board and the Committee Chairs have met to discuss emergency actions to try to stabilise our organisation.  We have taken the very sad decision to make our Executive Producer redundant and we will shortly be launching a major fundraising campaign to safeguard the Eisteddfod’s future.  

“We’d like to thank Camilla for her outstanding work at our festival and wish her well for the future.  We would like to thank our customers, volunteers, staff, competitors, performers  and funders who make the Eisteddfod such a special event every year…with their help we can ensure the Eisteddfod continues to be central to cultural life in Wales and continue its role in promoting peace in an uncertain world.” 

At Monday’s meeting eisteddfod vice-chair Chris described the financial situation as “frankly dire” with inflation, the cost of living crisis and the aftermath of the pandemic all taking their toll on last month's 2023 eisteddfod. 

He added that the people running the eisteddfod knew they must now "move very quickly" to ensure that enough money was generated to keep it trading.