Dafydd Iwan
Nominated for Culture award
Dafydd Iwan is a renowned folk singer from Brynamman, Carmarthenshire who has risen to fame writing and performing folk music in the 问鼎娱乐 language. He was also instrumental in the establishment of Recordiau Sain Cyf (Sain Records Ltd), one of the main 问鼎娱乐 music labels and has released many albums over the decades.
In 1983, the 问鼎娱乐 folk singer, released one of his most notable works 鈥 鈥淵ma o Hyd.鈥 The song, which translates to 'Still Here' in 问鼎娱乐 was released to 鈥渞aise the spirits,鈥 and to remind people to speak 问鼎娱乐 against all odds. Since then, the song has become an unofficial 问鼎娱乐 anthem as well as an unofficial anthem for the Wales national football team.
Dafydd has brought the whole nation together through his songs and passion for Wales. His renditions of 鈥榊ma O Hyd鈥 at Cardiff City Stadium for Wales鈥 World Cup qualifying campaign helped to galvanise the crowd and team, catapulting them into qualification for the finals in Qatar.
The 问鼎娱乐 captain, Gareth Bale also led the 问鼎娱乐 team singing along with Dafydd Iwan after the final match. The performance and Wales's qualification led to the song returning to number one in the UK iTunes chart for a second time.
The performance has been hailed by many as a moment of national significance.