After Cwm-Rhyd-y-Rhosyn’s great success on the Mentrau Iaith stall in Eisteddfod yr Urdd, the Cwm will come to the Pentref Plant (the Children’s Village) which is part of the National Eisteddfod in Pontypridd.
The path through the magical world of Cwm-Rhyd-y-Rhosyn with songs by the fantastic Dafydd Iwan and Edward Morus Jones is a unique experience for the whole family which brings back childhood memories of generations of children in Wales and introduces the Cwm to a new generation. Children of all ages will be able to explore the multi-sensory path through the Cwm while listening to the songs and stories of Cwm-Rhyd-y-Rhosyn through silent disco headphones.
More than 550 children from 0 to 99 went on a walk through the Cwm in Eisteddfod yr Urdd in Maldwyn. In the National Eisteddfod the path will be available again so that even more people can experience this magical world. The messages left by children and their parents after being on a tour through the Cwm were fantastic. They all enjoyed different things on the path, singing the songs and listening to the story. One even called it their “Hoff stondin ‘Steddfod erioed” (Favourite Eisteddfod stall ever)!
The path will be open during the whol Eisteddfod week. You can book a tour on the Mentrau Iaith Cymru website (Cwm-Rhyd-y-Rhosyn | Y Mentrau Iaith). The tours went really quickly in Eisteddfod yr Urdd. So, be quick!
Rhian Davies of Menter Iaith Maldwyn had the idea for the project having sweet memories of the songs and stories from her own childhood. The experienced set designer Heledd Rees created the multi-sensory path.
The project is funded by the Creu Bach grant of the Wales Arts Council, the Gwendoline and Margaret Davies Charity, Parents for Welsh Medium Education and Menter Iaith Rhondda Cynon Taf. Beyond that Sain Records and the National Eisteddfod are key partners in this project by contributing resources that are crucial to the success of the project, including the construction of large parts of the set by Tony Thomas and Jason Jones of the National Eisteddfod as well as the Tŷ Bach Twt which has been donated by Outdoor Toys.
Einir Siôn, Welsh Language Enabler with the Wales Arts Council said:
“Cwm-Rhyd-y-Rhosyn has inspired the imagination of generations of children. It will be fantastic to be able to celebrate this special contribution by introducing a new generation to the songs and stories. And I’m sure that there will be quite a few of us old ones there to enjoy memories of the hills of Bro Afallon and all its characters. This is such an original, creative and relevant work by the Mentrau Iaith and it’s a pleasure for the Arts Council to support the work.”
The path is even more than a unique experience for children and their parents, it will also be an opportunity for young people in the area to volunteer on the stall and get work experience in the Welsh language in Wales’ largest cultural festival!
Osian Rowlands, Chief Executive of Menter Iaith Rhondda Cynon Taf said.
“We’re excited to be able to offer work experience through the Welsh language to young people in the area. It’s a great way of being right in the heart of the Welsh culture and the buzz of the Eisteddfod. More than that it’s an opportunity for year people to get a taste of the songs and stories that have been part of so many people’s childhood in Wales until today. We’ll showcase a project that celebrates 50 years since releasing the first records during a modern and vibrant festival. It’s very exciting for us to be able bring both together.”
The Mentrau Iaith will also have the usual stall in the Eisteddfod with different activities for all – caricatures with Siôn Tomos Owen, a Ukelele workshop with Mei Gwynedd, Pili Pala Yoga and a sing along session with Blodau Haul for the little ones and launching a data base for resources about Welsh language terms in nature. Rhys Mwyn will be guiding a walk from the Old Bridge to the Pontypridd Commin. And there will be 2 panel discussions in the Societies tent about the Mentrau Iaith’s work to increase the use of the Welsh language and developing young bands making Welsh language music.
Other activities by the Mentrau Iaith
