LLANGOLLEN’S world-famous musical Eisteddfod has called on the Welsh government to step in as it faces a financial crisis.
But bosses at the 65-year-old International Musical Eisteddfod say there is no threat to the future of the festival, which each year attracts competitors and visitors from around the world.
Eisteddfod chiefs say they have suffered two loss-making years, in 2009 and 2010, with most recent published accounts showing respective deficits of more than £23,000 and almost £60,000.
The current economic climate is thought to be responsible for poor ticket sales this year.
Bosses have now called on the Welsh government for help after Wales’ First Minister vowed to ensure the future of the event.
Eisteddfod chairman Phil Davies said: “There is no secret about the figures for the past few years.
“However, when he was at this year’s festival in June Wales’ First Minister Carwen Jones was told of the financial situation and he said privately to us there was no way the Eisteddfod would not be in existence in the future.
“We have since written him a letter reminding him of what he said and to ask the Welsh government for financial help.
“The National Eisteddfod, which has just been held in Wrexham, receives £1.8 million from the Welsh government yet we have never had a penny from them.
“We were told in 2009 that the Arts Council for Wales would no longer be funding festivals, so we lost £57,000, but we did make this up from the lottery later.
“The arts council now has a new fund specially for festivals and we will be applying for assistance from that,” he added.
Mr Davies stressed: “People might be saying that the Llangollen eisteddfod is going under but that is not the case.
“I am extremely confident we will be able to keep going.
“We are already planning for next year and have just appointed a new, young musical director in Eilir Owen Griffiths.
“We will still be here next year.”
A Welsh government spokesman said: “The First Minister has received a letter from the organisers of the Llangollen International Eisteddfod and he will respond in due course."