PRESS RELEASE: Celebrating people and their stories while celebrating Shwmae Su’mae Day 2026

Celebrating the diverse range of people who use the Welsh language will be the main theme of Shwmae Su’mae Day 2026 as Mentrau Iaith Cymru prepares for the annual event. The campaign will culminate in a day of celebration across the country and beyond on Thursday, 15 October.

This year, the “Pwy Sy’n Dweud Shwmae?” (Who is saying Shwmae?) campaign will encourage people of all ages, backgrounds, and communities to share a video of themselves, or someone in their community, showing who they are, where they come from, what they do, or how the Welsh language is part of their lives.

Myfanwy Jones, Director of Mentrau Iaith Cymru, said, “Shwmae Su’mae Day is an opportunity to increase the use of Welsh. We want to show that the Welsh language is used by people from all kinds of backgrounds, ages, and communities across Wales. This year, we want to place the people who use Welsh at the heart of the campaign and celebrate the unique stories everyone has to tell.”

Summarising the campaign’s concept, Lucy Hope, Marketing and Communications Manager for Mentrau Iaith Cymru, said: “Who are you? Where are you from? What’s your story? We want to see people from all over Wales saying ‘Shwmae’ in their own way. It could be a farmer in rural Ceredigion, a school pupil, a musician, an athlete, a business owner, or anyone else who uses Welsh. Show us who you are as you say ‘Shwmae’, and we encourage you to nominate someone else to say ‘Shwmae’ next at the end of your video to encourage others to take part.”

Other ideas for celebrating the day are available on the Shwmae Su’mae website – shwmae.cymru – with stickers, a selfie frame, and ‘Shwmae’ speech bubbles available to download, alongside ideas and resources for schools, organisations, groups, and communities in our promotional pack. Everyone is welcome to adapt the campaign and celebrate in a way that suits them. For further help or advice, please feel free to contact diwrnodshwmae@gmail.com or your local Menter Iaith.

When sharing a video or activities on social media, remember to use the hashtag #shwmae26 and tag the Diwrnod Shwmae Su’mae and Mentrau Iaith Cymru accounts.

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Note to Editors:

The first Diwrnod Shwmae Su’mae was celebrated on 15 October 2013 to promote the idea of starting every conversation in Welsh! The day is celebrated annually on 15 October. The aim of the day is to show that the Welsh language belongs to everyone, and to encourage everyone to start conversations in Welsh, which would lead to greater use of Welsh throughout the year.

The Diwrnod Shwmae Su’ mae 2026 campaign is coordinated by Mentrau Iaith Cymru, a network of 22 language initiatives across Wales that create opportunities for people to use Welsh in their daily lives and local communities.

For more information, please contact:

diwrnodshwmae@gmail.com