The Urdd at the North American Festival of Wales

TheUrdd established a partnershiop with the North American Festival of Walesafter receiving a generous legacy by the late Dr John M Thomas. Dr Thomas was a Welshman who settled in Florida, with the wish in his legacy to provide young people in Wales with the opportunity to travel and perform. The Urdd would like to thank Dr Thomas and his family for providing this once-in-life-time opportunity for young people in Wales.

The week-long festival celebrates Welsh culture with its own Eisteddfod, concerts and various activities. Go here to learn more about the festival. 

2022 North American Festival of Wales: Philadelphia

In 2022 the festival was held in Philadelphia between August 31 - September 4.

Urdd’s Chief Executive Siân Lewis, and 4 young people traveled to Philadelphia to represent the Urdd at the festival. Siriol Elin, Manon Ogwen, Tomos Bohana and Dafydd Jones, were chosen based on their performances in the 2021 Eisteddfod T and the 2022 Urdd Eisteddfod in Denbigh.

The singers performed at the Perelman Theatre, in Macy's, outside City Hall as part of the opening ceremony and in a flashmob to entertain and present Welsh culture to the people of Philadelphia. Go here to watch the flashmob!

Gŵyl Gogledd America 2023: Lincoln, Nebraska

Following last year’s success at the North American Festival of Wales, the Urdd is returned to the festival, bringing four new talented young singers from Wales to Lincoln, Nebraska.

Ffion Thomas, Nansi Rhys Adams, Sophie Jones and Eiriana Jones-Campbell were chosen based on their performances at this year’s National Urdd Eisteddfod in Carmarthenshire. The four singers are very excited to represent the Urdd and Wales in the

During their time in the festival the four girls performed in the Thursday Night Concert alongside the 2023 Cân i Gymru winner, Dylan Morris. They also got the wonderful opportunity to learn more about American-Welsh heritage, visiting the Great Plains on the tour organised by NAFOW, meeting with Welsh diaspora and enjoying the several events planned at this year’s festival.

At the end of the festival they travelled onwards to Chicago, to learn more about the city’s history and having some free time to explore and enjoy.