(scroll down for other categories)
WELSH LANGUAGE PROSE (2 levels)
Beginner - prose entries of up to 200 words for people who have NOT YET started SSiW Level 2 or attended any Welsh for Adults classes beyond Mynediad.
Write about something strange that has happened to you – ‘Diwrnod Rhyfedd’ OR write a postcard to a friend and mention a strange experience.
Post-beginner - prose entries of up to 750 words, open to everyone – a short story entitled: "Mewn Byd Rhyfedd”
BOOK REVIEW (2 levels)
Beginner - A short book review, up to a maximum of 500 words, written in English, about a book you have read in Welsh. This category is for those who are fairly new to reading in Welsh, and the review should aim to present a book useful to others who are just starting to have a go at reading.
Post-beginner - A short book review, up to a maximum of 500 words, written in Welsh, for learners that are enjoying reading in Welsh and would like to share a favourite book with others.
WELSH LANGUAGE POETRY (3 categories)
Short poem - max 20 lines, written in free verse, on the topic "Mewn Byd Rhyfedd"
Englyn milwr – this is a short 3-line poem, each line having 7 syllables and rhyming at the end. In our Eisteddfod, this is optionally a verbal poetry category. If you’re not confident about writing in Welsh, you’re welcome to record your englyn and submit the sound file.
An explanation of the form can be found here: Englyn Milwr
Here is an example to give you the idea:
Un rhyfedd iawn yw Iolo
Yn hoffi chwarae polo
A’i frawd yn canu solo
And to start you off, here’s your first line. Just create the next two and you’re done!
Mewn byd go ryfedd o’n i
As this is a verbal art form, the number of syllables goes with the pronunciation – so “dw i’n” counts as one. To help you find words to rhyme at the end, have a look at the online rhyming dictionary: Odliadur
Limerig – a limerick in the standard pattern starting with:
Roedd dyn bach rhyfedd o Lanelli
A limerick is a humorous poem consisting of five lines. The first, second, and fifth lines must have seven to ten syllables while rhyming and having the same verbal rhythm. The third and fourth lines should only have five to seven syllables; they too must rhyme with each other and have the same rhythm.
PHOTOGRAPHY
An original photograph taken by the participant relating to the theme "In a Strange World"
ART
An original drawing, painting, electronic art, or poster depicting the theme "In a Strange World"
RECITATION
Recitation of the set poem "Y Sbectol Hud" by Mererid Hopwood
You can get a copy from https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z9htfrd/revision/1
WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?
This is a special category for those wish to focus on their speaking skills. It is purely a verbal category, so you just need to speak your opinion, in Welsh, and record it on whatever Digital Recorder you have available.
The topic is “Gobaith am fyd gwell” and the recording can be up to a maximum of 5 minutes long.
SINGING (3 categories)
Soloist – "Pam fod eira'n wyn?"
This is one of Dafydd Iwan's most famous songs.
You can listen to the song here: Pam Fod Eira Yn Wyn? (on SoundCloud)
Click here to read the lyrics
Click here for the translation
Group – "Oes gafr eto?"
This is a singing category for more than one person together, i.e. from a duet up to a small group.
Oes gafr eto? is a traditional Welsh song which can be fun to sing and you can vary the colours to be as strange as you like. If you’re not sure of the tune, have a listen to it here:
Click here to read the lyrics
Original song
We seem to have quite a lot of musical talent out there amongst our current SSiW new Welsh speakers, so we’ve introduced this category for you to be creative. As long as it’s created by you and never been presented publicly before, then you’re welcome to send it in.