The Welsh language has not had an easy life over the last centuries, it is not always respected outside of Wales. Things are not quite as bad as in 1858, the year of the first 'modern' eisteddfod when the Telegraph referred to it as 'a national debauch of sentimentality.' while The Times went further by saying 'simply foolish interference with the natural progress of civilisation and prosperity - it is a monstrous folly to encourage the Welsh in a loving fondness for their old language.'
Children were beaten in schools for uttering the language and forced to wear a 'Welsh Not', so for Welsh people to take part in the Eisteddfod was a very brave thing indeed.