Agora was conceived by artist Marc Rees and commissioned by the National Eisteddfod in 2019 to celebrate Llanrwst’s historic bids for independence. The design of the space was a collaboration between Crafted Space and Tabitha Pope Architecture.

In 1276 Llewelyn ap Gruffudd proclaimed the free Borough of Llanrwst. In 1947, Llanrwst town council made a submission to the United Nations for a seat on the UN security council, stating that Llanrwst was an independent state within Wales.

In the context of the contemporary desire for Welsh Independence, Agora was created as a focal point at the Eisteddfod, for a multifaceted artwork produced by Ffiwsar across Llanrwst and the region. Agora hosted performances, processions, discussions and artworks and was a peaceful place to converge, contemplate and converse.

It was constructed from scaffolding wrapped in red and white caution tape evoking Llys Llewellyn at St Fagan’s. It was clad in 100 doors donated by the residents of Llanwrst.