PEMBROKESHIRE is preparing to play a central role in one of Wales’ biggest cultural events, with this year’s National Eisteddfod y Garreg Las now moving firmly into view.

Broadcaster and presenter Mari Grug has been announced as President of the 2026 Eisteddfod, which will open on Saturday, August 1.

The event is expected to bring thousands of visitors to west Wales, with Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and surrounding communities set to be at the heart of the celebrations.

Mari, who was brought up on a farm in Mynachlog-ddu and educated at Ysgol y Preseli in Crymych, will address the audience from the Pavilion stage during the opening ceremony.

She said: “It’s a great honour. Receiving the invitation was quite a shock, to be honest. I certainly wasn’t expecting it, but those who know me know that the Eisteddfod has always been a huge part of my life.”

Mari is well known to viewers and listeners across Wales through her work on S4C programmes including Heno and Prynhawn Da, as well as Radio Cymru.

She has also presented coverage from major Welsh events including the Urdd Eisteddfod, the Royal Welsh Show and the National Eisteddfod.

The announcement comes as preparations continue for a major event on Friday, June 19, when the Crown and Chair for this year’s Eisteddfod will be presented to the local executive committee.

That evening will also launch celebrations marking 850 years of the National Eisteddfod, with a five-metre-high giant puppet of Lord Rhys, created by Small World Theatre Company, travelling through local towns and villages.

The event will begin at 5:45pm at St Davids Cathedral, before moving to Oriel y Parc for a ceremony marking the start of the celebrations and the unveiling of this year’s Crown and Chair.

The Crown has been designed and made in silver by Elen and Dylan Bowen, the husband-and-wife team behind Bowen Jewellery in Newcastle Emlyn.

The Chair has been designed and crafted by Tomos Lewis and is being donated by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

Mari said she hoped to act as an ambassador for the Eisteddfod and encourage more people to visit the Maes.

She added: “I hope I can be some kind of ambassador for the Eisteddfod, and attract more people to come to the Maes to enjoy what I have enjoyed for years.

“The week of Eisteddfod y Garreg Las is certain to be busy. The timetable is already full of events and ceremonies, but hopefully there will also be time to enjoy the week.”

Mari was previously involved when the National Eisteddfod came to St Davids in 2002, when she was the presenter of the flower token.

She said: “It was a wonderful experience to be part of the Eisteddfod the last time it came to the area. That was also a busy week, with Gorsedd ceremonies and competitions — and enjoying ourselves in the evenings.

“I’m looking forward to playing a role again this year, this time as Festival President.”

Mari will also be admitted to Gorsedd Cymru on Friday, August 7, on the Maes at Eisteddfod y Garreg Las.

More information about the Eisteddfod and tickets is available from the official Eisteddfod website.

Caption: Mari Grug has been named President of this year’s Eisteddfod y Garreg Las (Pic: Glyn Rainer).

As technology and digital platforms continue to evolve, so do our entertainment habits. What we respond to, how we interact, and where we spend our time online has all changed. So, let’s take a look at some of the digital entertainment habits we’re noticing in 2026. 

Where People Are Spending Their Time Online 

Streaming Services 

There is a growing number of streaming services out there now, offering everything from classics through to the latest titles. And most people are subscribed to more than one platform, giving them almost unlimited access to their favourite films or TV shows. 

Online Gaming 

Whether people are looking for free spins without a deposit or a truly immersive story-driven plot, online gaming has become incredibly popular. There’s no doubt that the increase in online gaming is, in part, due to things like game quality, surround sound systems, and advanced gaming set ups that make gaming for hours on end in complete comfort possible. 

Social Media 

Nowadays, almost everyone has at least one social media account, whether it be Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or something more niche. And as algorithms advance and more and more people are creating content online, it’s become all too easy to spend hours scrolling through each endless social media feed. 

What People Expect From Digital Entertainment 

Personalised Recommendations 

Most platforms provide personalised feeds. Take TikTok’s ‘For you’ page, or Netflix’s ‘Today’s Top Picks for You’ carousel, for example. As these tailored recommendations have become the norm, it’s now a basic expectation that platforms will serve people the content they’re most interested in at all times.  

Interactive Experiences 

Over time, our attention spans have shrunk. Constant digital stimulation and distraction has meant our ability to remain focused is shorter than it once was. Because of this, it’s getting more and more difficult to keep people engaged online without high levels of stimulation or interactive and fully immersive experiences. 

On-Demand Access 

Smartphones have put the digital world at our fingertips, creating an expectation that online entertainment should be available anytime, anywhere. Complete convenience is what people want and expect from their digital entertainment. 

The Future of Digital Entertainment

We have seen some major changes in the digital entertainment industry within the last decade or so, and with new technologies emerging all the time, it’s hard to predict what’s next. However, it will be exciting to see what’s in store in the near future. 

A NORWEGIAN vessel wrecked off the Pembrokeshire coast more than a century ago has inspired a new art exhibition at the Torch Theatre.

Professional artist Warren Heaton, from Pembrokeshire, will exhibit his paintings at the Joanna Field Gallery this June in a show titled Ragna – the link that connects two coastal communities.

The exhibition tells the story of the Norwegian vessel Ragna, which was wrecked at Aberfelin in 1900, and the dramatic rescue carried out by villagers from Trefin.

Warren, who has a gallery and studio in Solva, said the idea grew from conversations in the village while he and his wife Helen were living in Trefin.

He said: “My wife and I were living in Trefin when I got talking about the project with Andy and Richard over a pint at the Ship Inn.

“We arranged a small re-enactment down at Aberfelin. The villagers all dressed up and posed for me to photograph, and then paint. That’s where it all started.”

Warren and Helen, who live in Llangwm, have strong links to the sea. Helen has recently completed a row across the Atlantic, and maritime history and coastal communities are central themes in Warren’s work.

He added: “We’re trying to take the exhibition all over Pembrokeshire and eventually to Cardiff and maybe even Norway.

“So far it’s been to St Davids, Fishguard and Trefin Museum, but to take it to Norway would be amazing, as that is where the Ragna originated from.”

The Ragna Art Exhibition – the link that connected two coastal communities features paintings by Warren Heaton, interpretation panels by Richard Cotton and sound design by Andy Wheddon. It also features Mari-Anne Maddocks and Eleanor Bennett.

The exhibition can be seen at the Joanna Field Gallery, Torch Theatre, from Wednesday (Jun 3) to Monday, June 29, during Box Office opening hours.

For further information visit torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01646 695267.