Royal South Street Eisteddfod 2020 call for entries

ENTRIES for Ballarat's time-honoured Royal South Street Eisteddfod are set to close as the festival gears up for a return in July.

The three-month-long event is Australia largest and longest-running of its type and is this year scheduled to run from the the last week of July until October 31.

It is the time of year many hotel and motel operators aim for when attracting business to the city, particularly during the popular calisthenics event which is planned to run throughout October.

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RSSS business manager Tony Rowlands said there have been a range of challenges this year in bringing the program together, but the support the wider Ballarat and Victorian community had shown means it is hoped the festival can go ahead in a usual way,

"We understand the challenges we all face this year with COVID-19, however, we feel passionate about trying to deliver an eisteddfod that celebrates the performing arts and enriches all our competitors, coaches, volunteers and our communities at this time," he said.

"It's during these challenging times that we need the arts to give us hope, inspiration and community spirit."

Entries for all events including the Australian Calisthenics Competition, Energetiks Dance Competition, Contemporary and Classical Vocal, ACU Debating Challenge Cup and Speech and Drama will close on Friday.

Mr Rowlands said events scheduled for July including Celebrating Chopin at the Art Gallery of Ballarat and Schimmel Pianofort could potentially run later than scheduled should that be required.

The Freemasons Festival of Bands and Strings and the Choral Competition will also be open for entries with the potential for live video submission opportunities.

For all entries and for more details go to royalsouthstreet.com.au