THE Monmouthshire and District National Eisteddfod Maes will look very different to the past few years as a brand new pavilion replaces the festival’s iconic Pink Pavilion next year.

The audience experience in the ‘Evolution’ pavilion, provided by Neptunus, will be totally different to sitting in the big pink tent. Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Elfed Roberts, said, “This is the beginning of a new chapter after ten years of the Pink Pavilion.

“Like everyone else, we’ll miss the Pink Pavilion. It was an iconic building which grasped everyone’s imagination, but it’s time to move on, and we are very excited at the prospect of having a new pavilion on the Maes in Abergavenny.

“The new structure is called ‘Evolution’ and is a far-reaching development for us, offering a much better experience for the audience, competitors and performers on stage.

“The resources will be excellent, with potential for us to use the space in a new and different way, so we can be ambitious and creative, and we are all looking forward to the next few years.

“The Pink Pavilion was a striking building and gave us a unique promotional opportunity for a decade, but it was also very frustrating.  The structural poles obscured the view from a large number of seats, and external noise was also a problem during competitions.  The new building is a much sturdier structure and will suit our needs far better.

“However, we realise that it’s not a great big striking pink tent, and it looks very different.  And this is another challenge for us as a team, to make the new structure look as attractive as possible.  Over the past few years we have managed to transform the Maes, and the new pavilion is our next project.

“We will be working a wide range of ideas over the next few months and looking for support to ensure that the new pavilion takes its place on the attractive Eisteddfod Maes in Abergavenny from 29th July to 6th August next year.

“Preparations for the Eisteddfod are going very well, and I would like to thank everyone working locally raising awareness and funds.  There is definitely a warm welcome awaiting us on Castle Meadows next year.”

For more information on the Eisteddfod go to www.eisteddfod.wales