After a rapper was told he couldn't perform in English, a Welsh government minister urged the National Eisteddfod to reconsider its rules.
Due to the festival's Welsh language policy, Sage Todz announced on social media that he would not be performing there.
According to Vaughan Gething, the national event could be more adaptable in order to draw in a larger audience.
The Welsh language rule, according to the National Eisteddfod, was "fundamental" to the event.
According to Mr. Gething, Sage Todz helped the language develop by introducing it to "a wider, more diverse audience" and other performers like him.
He stated on Twitter that "@eisteddfod could use this opportunity to reevaluate their strategy - this is the key showcase event for the language's future. ".
There is no evidence that the discussions that Sage Todz withdrew from the event due to were racially motivated.
"We are very disappointed to read of the unbelievable treatment of this amazing Black Welsh musician who has done much to promote the Welsh language," said Race Council Cymru. ".
The situation was "completely unacceptable," according to Black Lives Matter.
"He has done more than many others to advance the Welsh language. ".
Ashok Ahir, the president of the Eisteddfod, responded to the criticism by saying that the event was still working "to make Cymraeg accessible to a wider range of individuals and groups.".
He added that this included people who were uneasy speaking Welsh in the creative industry.
The primary goal of the National Eisteddfod for the one week of the year during which the festival is held is for performances, competitions, and discussion to take place in Cymraeg - and in no other languages.
We admire Sage Todz's ardor and dedication to the languages he uses in his music.
It was his choice to perform only in English and in both languages.
"We regret that Sage Todz was unable to perform at the festival but respect his decision to refrain from singing exclusively in Welsh. ".
The location of the festival this year is Boduan, Gwynedd, the county where Sage Todz, who is from Penygroes, was born.
Nia Morais, Friday's nominee for Children's Poet of Wales 2023, questioned the National Eisteddfod's stance.
She said, "I don't believe we have the right to limit that if that's the way he expresses himself.
Welsh learner of the year 2022 Joe Healy expressed disappointment that the audience wouldn't get to see him perform.
But you can't expect the National Eisteddfod to change its language policy for anyone, he added.
According to the National Eisteddfod's rules, "All compositions and competing must be in Welsh, unless otherwise specified.
. "
