Emeritus Professor Tudur Hallam has been awarded the prestigious Eisteddfod Chair for his awdl, a long poem written in strict metre. The competition, which required poets to write up to 250 lines on the theme “City” using more than one traditional Welsh metre, saw fifteen poets participate—the highest number of competitors since 1989. Judges for this year’s award were Peredur Lynch, Llŷr Gwyn Lewis, and Menna Elfyn.
The winning poem begins with a girls’ football match in Carmarthenshire, where Professor Hallam served as coach. It then transitions to Glangwili Hospital, recounting the moment he received a cancer diagnosis.
During the ceremony on Friday 8 July, attendees gave Professor Hallam a standing ovation as he was greeted by the Archdruid, head of the Gorsedd of the Bards. His brother Gwion also contributed by reciting a poem dedicated to him.
After receiving the award, Professor Hallam commented: "I believe writing can be a great help to people, and personally I wanted to write immediately after the diagnosis, but I couldn’t.
"I think I was in a state of shock, and then in January, after receiving bad news that the treatment meant to buy me time hadn’t worked, suddenly the words started to flow.
"I feel happy, proud that I competed because I wasn’t sure whether I should submit the awdl or not. I’ve been quite conflicted about it because the content of the awdl is so emotional, but today feels like a celebration. Now I’m glad I’ve created something positive out of a very difficult situation.”
Judge Menna Elfyn said: “Other Prifeirdd have written about the death of family members or the tragic loss of friends or acquaintances, but this is the first time I’ve come across someone writing about their own condition and vulnerability—raw and without a trace of self-pity.
“This is a poem that will undoubtedly be widely read, especially by those who are in need and hungry for poetry as balm for the heart in harsh times. That is what poetry should do—remind us of ourselves. And this poem certainly sends shivers down the spine, but also joyfully echoes what it means to live, from the mouth of a poet singing from the taut strings of his fine muse.”
The judges described this year’s entries as having an "exceptionally high" standard.