In Welsh culture, an eisteddfod (/aɪˈstɛðvɒd/ (listen) eye-STEDH-vod, alsoUS: /eɪˈ-/ay-, UK: /aɪˈstɛdvəd, -fəd, -vɒd, -fɒd/eye-STED-vəd, -⁠fəd, -⁠vod, -⁠fod, Welsh:  (listen); plural eisteddfods or eisteddfodau) is a festival of Welshliterature, music and performance. The tradition of such a meeting of Welsh artists dates back to at least the 12th century, when a festival of poetry and music was held by Rhys ap Gruffydd of Deheubarth at his court in Cardigan in 1176, but the decline of the bardic tradition made it fall into abeyance. The current…