Award-winning hitmaker Amy Wadge was the first guest president when the Urdd Eisteddfod opened its doors in Pencoed, near Bridgend, today.
And Ed Sheeran's collaborator revealed some exciting plans, including working with American band the Dixie Chicks.
Originally from Bristol, Amy, who is now learning Welsh, lives just outside Pontypridd with her children and husband.
She has twice been named Best Female Artist at the Welsh Music Awards and notably co-wrote international smash hit Thinking Out Loud with Sheeran.
Speaking at the Eisteddfod - which is hosted this year by Bridgend, Taff-Ely and expected to welcome more than 15,000 competitors and 90,000 visitors - Amy said she was honoured to play a part in the event.
“I have been to the Eisteddfod before with my children,” she said.
“My husband, Alun ap Brinley, grew up with the Urdd, so he was keen for the girls to be part of it and they are both already massively involved and love it.
“My eldest, Mali, is one of the leads in Bracchi - the junior show - and is also in the choir and various other group things with the school.
“She and her sister, Nel, also competed in the earlier rounds of the Eisteddfod.”
Amy, who recently worked with artists Paloma Faith and Keith Urban, is looking forward to heading off to Nashville soon to work with The Dixie Chicks.
And the members of the American country band will no doubt be enthralled by her tales from the Urdd.
For Amy admitted that people around the world think there’s something quite magical about the Eisteddfod.
“When I speak to people about it, they are often quite fascinated by it - especially in America,” she added.
“I tell them that it’s not just about music, but about poetry, arts and a range of other things.
“They often know we are Celtic and that we have these things, but people are quite enchanted by it.
“I think it’s really important to people in Wales.
“You know it comes to a certain time of year when time will be dedicated to this event.
“It’s a part of the culture.”
And when asked about what inspires her, Amy said she gets most of her ideas from the artists she works with.
She said: “You get to know the artists when you work with them, so I get the ideas from them really.
“There’s things they want to talk about, and I’m just lucky to be in the same room as them.”
