SWANSEA’S Welsh language initiative, Menter Iaith Abertawe, has won a national project of excellence award for their work organising the Gŵyl Tawe festival.
The festival, which celebrates Welsh music and culture in Swansea, was held at the National Waterfront Museum at the beginning of June. This was the second time it had been held at the Museum, and the fourth time the festival was held.
According to Tomos Jones from Menter Iaith Abertawe: “This year we had three stages, with loads of bands and activities for children, and performances from local schools.
“There is a strong music community in Swansea – and it’s great that many of the music venues in the city work together to make the festival happen.
“It’s great to be able to host a major event through the medium of Welsh in Swansea. Its an opportunity for everyone to come together, celebrate the Welsh arts in the city and make the Welsh language more visible.
“We want the festival to be inclusive and open to everyone, and it was very important to us that we could offer it for free.
“The hope is that people who have visited the festival will take more interest in Welsh music throughout the year – and perhaps start coming to other gigs in the city, or other Welsh cultural festivals.”
When presenting the award, the judges said: “The Gŵyl Tawe festival organised by Menter Iaith Abertawe, succeeded in presenting a professional and relevant image of the Welsh language, making the Welsh language visible in the busy city centre. It was also nice to see the wide age range among the artists and the audience.”
When receiving the award, Tomos Jones added: “Establishing a Welsh medium festival in Swansea was one of our priorities coming out of lockdown, and it started outside a pub in Swansea in 2021.
“It has been great to see it grow year after year with more schools and bands taking part. Certainly, it has made the Welsh language more visible in the centre of the city.”
The event was an opportunity to celebrate the work of the 22 Mentrau Iaith across Wales creating opportunities for people to enjoy using Welsh every day within their communities.
This was the third time that the national awards were held, and instead of specific categories as in previous years, five projects of excellence were awarded. The criteria included impact on the Welsh language, innovation, and inclusion.
The other Welsh language initiatives that were awarded were Menter Iaith Gwynedd, Menter Iaith Caerffili, Menter Caerdydd a Menter Iaith Maldwyn.
On the judging panel was Bethan Webb, Deputy Director of the Welsh Language Division within Welsh Government, Dafydd Meredydd Head of Welsh Services BBC Radio Cymru, Efa Gruffudd Jones, Welsh Language Commissioner, Kate Gobir, WCVA Membership and Welsh Language Manager and Manon Llwyd Rowlands , Director of Service Delivery, Mentera.
The national awards were sponsored by WCVA, RHAG, Technegol Ltd, Ymbweru Bro, Mentera, S4C, Cwmni Diogel, Principality, The National Centre for Learning Welsh, Darwin Gray, Prynu’n Lleol and BBC Radio Cymru 2.
For more information about Mentrau Iaith Cymru’s work, visit the Menter Iaith website.
