This year was a special one for the local language section as it marks the bicentenary of the birth of Guernesiais poet Denys Corbet.
The occasion was marked as the chosen set piece for the ‘classe superieure’ was a piece of Corbet’s work. The trophy awarded for the winner of this class is the W N Langlois Cup, the oldest prize to be awarded in the Eisteddfod Guernesiais which dates back to the 1920s.
The session also marked a century since traditional Guernsey dance was introduced to the Eisteddfod syllabus.
‘We have a few dancers coming in this afternoon in the interval in respect of that information,’ said section coordinator Joy Liggett.
There were 12 classes in the adults session on Saturday afternoon – adjudicated by retired jurat David Robilliard – which included poems and more challenging pieces.
‘Bible readings are still the most popular, but we have singing classes as well,’ said Mrs Liggett.
Mrs Liggett has been taking part in the Eisteddfod for 10 years and this year performed a section from Macbeth.
‘I’m doing the cauldron scene,’ she said.
‘I use audio recordings to help me prepare, they are a great help.’
There were people who submitted entries that they had recorded too, enabling people from outside the island studying the language can enter.
Junior sessions will be held in the main theatre at Beau Sejour on 9 March from noon with Peter Le Messurier making a return as adjudicator. 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.
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