MINISTER for North Wales Lesley Griffiths MS has welcomed the return of the Urdd Eisteddfod.

This year marks the first face-to-face Urdd Eisteddfod since the Covid pandemic, following two years of holding the event virtually.

Free access has also been granted at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Denbigh this year, following a funding announcement from the Welsh Government.

The Urdd is the largest youth festival in Europe and the First Minister joined young people in Norway earlier this month to promote its international message of peace and goodwill.

Ahead of a visit to the Urdd today, the Minister said: “This is a very special year for the Urdd for many reasons.

READ: Urdd Eisteddfod competitions get under way in Denbigh

"It is celebrating its centenary year, which is a remarkable achievement, and people are able to come together for the first time in over two years at the Eisteddfod.

“I’m pleased the Welsh Government has committed to offer free access at this year’s event.

"This is an opportunity for us to show our appreciation for the Urdd’s work over the last century.

“The Urdd is an organisation which works on the international stage and offers a welcome to all regardless of background.

"What better way to celebrate this than to offer free access to all.

“I’m very much looking forward to attending this year’s event and I know there’s a very warm welcome for the festival in Denbighshire and across North Wales.”