Wales is a creative and inspirational place that harbours and breeds talent across the creative industries. Many of our music artists have had international success, our landscape has provided inspiration to Hollywood directors and our writers have created some of the top TV programmes in the UK. We have a long history of music and the performing arts - Wales’ annual National Eisteddfod (a festival of literature, music and performance) can be traced back to 1176. It is said that the first Eisteddfod was held, under the auspices of Lord Rhys, at his castle in Cardigan. There he held a grand gathering to which were invited poets and musicians from all over the country. From the very first Eisteddfod to the modern day, many of our key Welsh figures have gone on to share their talent worldwide and influence people across the globe.