Sessions begin on Saturday and run until 25 April, across a number of venues, including Beau Sejour and Capelles Church.
‘The Eisteddfod has a long and proud history, but at its heart it has always been about people – giving islanders of all ages the confidence and encouragement to share their creativity,’ said Owen Cole, chairman of Eisteddfod Guernsey.
‘The continued support of the local community is vital, and we warmly invite everyone to attend the festival’s events and help ensure the Eisteddfod can continue for generations to come.’
The Eisteddfod brings together participants of all ages and abilities, providing opportunities to perform, exhibit, compete and connect across a wide range of artistic disciplines, from music and speech and drama, to arts and crafts, photography, literary work and cookery.
This year’s programme invites the public not only to support local performers and artists, but to play an active role in sustaining the Eisteddfod by attending events, visiting exhibitions and purchasing tickets for performances and concerts.
The annual exhibition is on at Beau Sejour from 8-12 March, and some of it transfers to the Royal Court House for the Expo at the Royal Court from 16-27 March.
The annual highlights Gala Concert is scheduled for 24 March, featuring stand-out performances from the performance sections of the Eisteddfod.
Full programme details, event timings and ticket information can be found at www.eisteddfod.gg.
Guernesiais classes will launch festival on Saturday
Competitive adult Guernesiais classes will launch this year’s Eisteddfod on Saturday afternoon.
‘A wonderful afternoon to showcase various aspects of our unique and beautiful heritage – language, dance and food,’ said section coordinator Joy Liggett.
She said that 2026 was a special year in the Guernsey Eisteddfod calendar, as it is both the bicentenary of the birth of Denys Corbet – the poet who described himself as the last to write in Guernesiais – and also the 100th anniversary of traditional Guernsey Dance’s first introduction into the Eisteddfod syllabus.
Mrs Liggett has arranged for a couple of classes to feature works by Corbet, and Guernsey Dancers will be performing during the interval.
The adult Guernesiais classes will be adjudicated by Jurat David Robilliard MBE, while the junior sessions will be adjudicated by Peter Le Messurier.
The adult classes start at 1pm on Saturday in the Beau Sejour concourse.
People are encouraged to drop in and listen to the performances.
Junior classes will return on Monday 9 March.
Six primary schools, including Sark School, are competing and the family class features the youngest members of the Guernesias-speaking community.
‘This session increases in popularity every year – it is an absolute delight for all,’ said Mrs Liggett.
JT donates tablet device for adjudicators
The Eisteddfod’s journey into new technology has been accelerated with a tablet donation from JT, which will be used by the adjudicators across the performance sections of the festival.
The device will allow adjudicators to access performance materials such as sheet music, scripts and supporting documents digitally, rather than traditional hard copies, which will help streamline the administration of sessions.
The donation forms part of a wider programme of digital improvements being made by Eisteddfod Guernsey. In recent years, the organisation has embraced modern technology to support both participants and volunteers, including the launch of a new website which now enables online entries and online membership applications.
Eisteddfod Guernsey said the support from JT plays an important role in helping the charity continue to evolve while maintaining the high standards and traditions the festival is known for.
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