The UK Culture Minister has said he would accept an invitation to attend next year’s Monmouthshire and District National Eisteddfod.
Ed Vaizey MP made the announcement when responding to Monmouth MP David Davies during Culture, Media and Sport questions in the House of Commons on Thursday (4th June).
The National Eisteddfod, a unique celebration of Welsh language and culture, is being held at Castle Meadows on the outskirts of Abergavenny from 29 July-6 August 2016.
It’s the first time the event is returning to Monmouthshire since 1913.
Mr Davies, who will be an honorary vice-president for the Eisteddfod, highlighted that Welsh is derived from Old Brythonic and was spoken across the whole of what is now the United Kingdom.
Given his role in funding Welsh language television, Mr Davies asked the Minister if he would consider an invitation to visit the National Eisteddfod “in my own constituency in Monmouthshire next year.”
Mr Vaizey replied: “If I get an invitation from him, I shall certainly accept.”
He added that the government was committed to supporting Welsh language and culture in partnership with many bodies, including Welsh language programming with S4C.