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History of the Guernsey Eisteddfod

For over a century, the Guernsey Eisteddfod has played a vital role in celebrating creativity, performance, and community spirit — inspiring generations of islanders to share their love of the arts.

Origins and Early Years

The Guernsey Eisteddfod Society was formed in 1921, inspired by the Welsh Eisteddfod tradition — a cultural gathering meaning “a sitting together”, where people come together to celebrate music, poetry, and performance.

In the years that followed, the Society worked to establish a formal festival structure. This led to the first main Guernsey Eisteddfod Festival being held in 1927 at St Julian’s Theatre, St Peter Port, with competitions in Music and Elocution. This marked the beginning of the annual Festival as it is recognised today.

Growth, Pause, and Resilience

From its early Festivals, the Eisteddfod quickly became a much-anticipated part of Guernsey’s cultural calendar.

• In 1928, the French Section was introduced, reflecting the island’s linguistic and cultural heritage.

• Additional sections were added over time, including Guernesiais, Art, Photography, and Shorthand, broadening the Festival’s creative reach.

During the German Occupation (1940–1945), Eisteddfod Festivals were unable to take place. As a result, while the Society continued to exist, there were no annual Festivals held during the war years. This interruption explains why the number of Festivals does not correspond exactly with the number of years since the Society’s formation.

Following Liberation, the Festival returned with renewed enthusiasm, reaffirming its importance to island life and the arts.

A Festival for All

Run entirely by volunteers, the Eisteddfod has always been rooted in community spirit. Each section is organised by dedicated committees who work throughout the year to support entrants, schools, teachers, and visiting adjudicators.

The Festival welcomes participants of all ages and abilities — from first-time performers to experienced artists — with constructive adjudication, certificates, medals, and trophies all playing a role in encouragement and development.

A New Chapter

In October 2023, the organisation formally became Eisteddfod Guernsey LBG, transitioning from the Guernsey Eisteddfod Society to a limited-by-guarantee charity. This step strengthened governance and ensured the long-term sustainability of the Festival.

The transition was accompanied by a refreshed brand identity, a new website, and a commitment to modernising operations. As part of this evolution, online entry forms were introduced — piloted for selected sections in 2025 and rolled out across all sections in 2026.

Looking Ahead

In 2026, the Guernsey Eisteddfod celebrates its 96th Annual Festival, a milestone that reflects both its longevity and its resilience through changing times.

While the Society itself dates back to 1921, the Festival’s journey — shaped by growth, pause, and renewal — continues to honour its founding values of creativity, community, and celebration.

👉 You can explore key milestones from 1921 to today in our Eisteddfod Through the Years timeline below: