URDD FESTIVAL BREAKS GROUND

THIS year's 2001 Urdd Festival is breaking new ground in Welsh broadcasting history by staging a cultural event live simultaneously from two separate centres.
The 2001 Urdd Festival - Gðyl yr Urdd 2001 will be held in studios in Caernarfon and Llanelli which will be linked together by the latest sound technology and two video walls.
The festival includes elements of both the traditional Eisteddfod competitions and the brave new world of hi-tech television and virtual technology. But what it will mean for the viewer at home is three days of live performances where taking part is just as important as winning, and where award presentation includes much of the pomp and colour of the traditional Eisteddfod ceremonies. The charm and atmosphere of the Eisteddfod field and pavilion may be missing, but with competitors taking part in more than 30 competitions, there will be colour, drama and talent a-plenty.
The Gðyl yr Urdd 2001 festival coverage starts on Wednesday, 30 May and for three days, there will be live coverage every afternoon and evening at 2.00pm and 8.05pm.
Competitors will battle it out in a variety of singing, reciting, instrumental, dancing and choral competitions. Up to five hopefuls will compete against each other in each competition in three different age groups and they will take centre stage at either one of the two studios, Barcud-Derwen in Caernarfon and the Agenda TV Centre at Llanelli.
Every day the live coverage will feature two main ceremonies, one in the afternoon and another in the evening, and like the traditional Eisteddfod, you can enjoy the Chairing, Crowning, Prose Medal, Learner's Medal, Drama Medal, and Composer's Medal ceremonies. (CD)