It was on this day (6 September) in 1917 when the National Eisteddfod was held at Birkenhead Park, on the Wirral.
Hedd Wyn & His Involvement
This one is infamously remembered as “Y Gadair Ddu” (the “Eisteddfod of the Black Chair”) as the winner, Ellis Evans (13 January 1887 – 31 July 1917), better known by the bardic name of Hedd Wyn, had been killed on the first day of the Battle of Passchendaele, World War I.
The Chair was notably draped in black cloth and remained covered until the end of the ceremony. It was then brought to Hedd Wyn’s home, Yr Ysgwrn near Trawsfynydd.
In 1996, the Welsh language anti-war film “Hedd Wyn” premiered – it was nominated for the “Best Foreign Language” category at the 66th Academy Awards.
This made “Hedd Wyn” the first Welsh language movie to be nominated for an Academy Award and, though it lost to the excellent Spanish language film, “Belle Époque”, it left its mark on the awards.
More from Welsh Histories
Welsh Histories is a Welsh history celebrating platform which looks to promote all aspects of Welsh history. Though we focus predominantly on native Welsh history, we do also share the non-native aspects from time to time. You can follow us on Facebook; Instagram or Twitter for more. A reader? We also have our very own Welsh Histories Shop where we sell our Welsh Histories Magazine. Diolch yn fawr iawn and keep enjoying Welsh Histories.
DIGITAL COPY Welsh Histories Magazine – May 2025
Welsh Histories Magazine May 2025 – DIGITAL COPY
The digital edition of Welsh Histories Magazine for May 2025 has finally arrived!
This month, the magazine delves into the topic of Cymru during the First World War. As I mention in the magazine’s opening article, I often feel as though there is tremendous coverage of the Second World War across history forums but that (while certainly not lacking) there is far less information available on the topic of the World War I. Even less exists on the topic of Cymru during World War I.
This particular magazine focuses on numerous topics from the “Great” War, namely the changing role of women during the war and how, perhaps, the one good thing to come out of the war was a recognition of what women can achieve. Other topics cover Welsh recipients of the Victoria Cross, the Battle of the Somme and more.
This month’s magazine has been written, created and designed by Niklas George (Welsh Histories founder and owner). We have no guest writer this month. All images used in this issue of Welsh Histories Magazine include the respective owner’s details.
Happy reading!
If you have any issues with receiving and downloading your copy, please send all queries to: niklas@welshhistories.co.uk.
More from Welsh Histories
Welsh Histories is a Welsh history celebrating platform which looks to promote all aspects of Welsh history. Though we focus predominantly on native Welsh history, we do also share the non-native aspects from time to time. You can follow us on Facebook; Instagram or Twitter for more. A reader? We also have our very own Welsh Histories Shop where we sell our Welsh Histories Magazine. Diolch yn fawr iawn and keep enjoying Welsh Histories.
Niklas is the founder, owner, manager, editor, writer, video creator, voice over artist, and so forth, of Welsh Histories. He is passionate about the preservation of Welsh culture; the rejuvenation of the Welsh language and the promotion of Welsh history. Niklas currently resides in Pune, Maharashtra, with his beloved wife.