The Welsh Learner of the Year for 2026 has been revleaed today in another busy day for the National Eisteddfod. Jonathan Davies was honoured in a special ceremony on the Pavilion stage on Wednesday, following a high-standard competition.

The other three finalists were Caroline Jones from Gwynedd, Kierion Lloyd from Wrexham and Paige Morgan from the USA.

Jonathan who is from Loughor near Swansea, began learning Welsh in order to reconnect with his heritage and identity after living in London.

Gareth Evans-Jones, from Ynys Môn was the winner of the 2026 National Eisteddfod's Prose Medal.

This year’s eisteddfod, held at Y Garreg Las, presened a vibrant showcase of Welsh culture, blending centuries of tradition with dynamic contemporary arts.

Adding an impressive visual spectacle to the festival ground, the ambitious new outdoor production Mary Hwyr! takes to the Street and Dance stage. The performance interweaves contemporary dance, traditional clog dance, circus, live music, and colourful costumes. Funded by the Arts Council of Wales, the show explores Welsh seasonal folk traditions and features live music alongside four former Eisteddfod-winning cloggers: Lleucu Parri, Morus Jones, Gwennan Staziker, and Nia Rees.

Alongside the performance, a landmark art exhibition in Cardigan marks 850 years since the first recorded Eisteddfod in 1176. Presented by Oriel Canfas with the National Eisteddfod and Cymru Craft Festival, Aur/Gold showcases work from over 30 former Fine Art and Craft Gold Medal winners.

James Horan, Director of Oriel Canfas, said, “These artists are the best among the work that Wales produces - they are recognized at the highest level, but rarely have the opportunity to appear together. Succeeding in including Gold Medal winners over several decades in one exhibition is a unique achievement, and we would not have managed to do this on our own.

"This collaboration with the Welsh Craft Festival and the National Eisteddfod has created something that is much bigger than any of us - and achieving this here, in Cardigan, is something that is bigger than an exhibition. It feels like a real welcome back event.”

Nostalgia also swept through Tŷ Gwerin as folk group Hergest reunited for a farewell performance, 50 years after their appearance at the 1976 Eisteddfod. Original members Delwyn Siôn, Geraint Davies, Derek Brown, and Elgan Phylip Davies delighted a packed crowd.

Reflecting on the reunion, Delwyn said, “We have very fond memories of the Eisteddfod in 1976. The weather was so nice, and our songs suited the weather perfectly, so we want to come back to Tŷ Gwerin for one more gig.”

Delwyn emphasized the four have no intention of restarting Hergest. “It's a one-off and the gig was a kind of farewell. We sang the songs from that summer half a century ago when we made the step from being a well-known band to being a popular band,” he said.