Eisteddfod’s historic Italian Trophy comes to Barry

Published 16 January 2012

This year will see the National Eisteddfod held in the Vale of Glamorgan. To mark this the local council has been presented with the historic ‘Italian Trophy’ which is now on show at the County Library, Barry.

The trophy was given to the Eisteddfod in 1986 by former Italian prisoners of war to thank the people of Wales for the kindness shown to them during their captivity.

Handmade by Italian prisoners during World War II and inscribed with the word ‘Heddwch’ (peace), the trophy is held by the council which is hosting the Eisteddfod.

Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Gordon Kemp (left in picture), said: "It is an honour to take charge of the Trophy and to have the chance to host the Eisteddfod.

"Staff across the council are working closely with the National Eisteddfod to ensure that the event is a success. When tickets start to go on sale in March, we are hoping local people will come out in force to support the event."

Elfed Roberts, Chief Executive of the National Eisteddfod (right in picture), said: "It is a tradition that at each Eisteddfod, the council that is holding the next event is presented with the Italian Trophy, which they hold until it passes to the next host council. It is a historic item and I hope visitors to the library will enjoy having the chance to see it."