Tens of pupils from secondary schools in Gwynedd and Anglesey will come together to celebrate Dydd Miwsig Cymru. Llwyddo'n Lleol 2050 together with Menter Iaith Môn are holding a day of celebrations in Galeri, Caernarfon on the 3rd of February – this will be the beginning of the celebrations before the day itself on the 10th of February.
During the day there will be an opportunity for the pupils to take part in a question and answer session with a panel of artists within the music scene in Wales as well as working together with these artists in order to compose their own music.
Jade Owen, Llwyddo’n Lleol 2050’s Project Officer, noted, "The main reason we decided to organize this day was to be able to offer something new to young people in the area who are interested in music. We are very aware of the talent that surrounds us and are keen to nurture this talent in order to give them a solid foundation for the future.
"We are also very keen to dispel any stigma that young people in the area have that they must move away to cities like London and Cardiff if they want to be successful in the field. By giving these young people the opportunity to work alongside successful artists within the scene in North Wales, we hope this will inspire them."
Marged Gwenllian, Osian Cai, Endaf and Tesni Hughes are the artists who will host the day with the young people. These four bring expertise and interest from different elements of the scene; whether this is recording music, playing in a band or performing as a DJ.
Elen Hughes, Chief Officer of Menter Iaith Môn is very proud to be able to support a day like this:
"Mentrau Iaith all over the country hold events to celebrate Dydd Miwsig Cymru and I am proud that we are able to support this event as a Menter Iaith in Ynys Môn. As an Enterprise that often organizes events around music, these being festivals such as Gŵyl Cefni or our Bocswn sessions with young people in the area, we are very aware of how beneficial music is in bringing people together to socialize in Welsh.
"In addition to this day for Secondary pupils, we are also organizing discos for the primary which will take place during the week of Dydd Miwsig Cymru. Our hope when organizing events like this is that we can offer our communities different musical experiences through the Welsh language."
Menter Iaith regularly holds Bocswn and Young Performers Network sessions and are always keen to receive more volunteers when organizing Gŵyl Cefni, so the opportunities for our young people within the music field are endless. For more information about the sessions that Menter Iaith has to offer, contact iaith@mentermon.com
This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government. It is also part funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and Gwynedd Council.