Thousands of visitors will gather in Cardiff this weekend for Tafwyl, a festival celebrating Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ music and culture.
This year's will be officially opened by the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ Government’s Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Energy, and Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ Language, Jeremy Miles, and the Minister for the Creative Industries, Sarah Murphy.
With another packed schedule, around 2,500 visitors staying in Cardiff, and local spending expected to be in excess of £410,000 the cultural and economic benefits of Tafwyl, organised by Menter Caerdydd, are significant. .
This year’s free-to-enter festival held in Bute Park on the 13 and 14 July, is supported by £100,000 from the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ Government’s Events Wales and Cymraeg 2050 grants.
Jeremy Miles said:
"Tafwyl is a perfect example of how the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ language belongs to all of us. It’s a fantastic opportunity to bring people together at the heart of our capital city to celebrate the language and showcase our thriving culture so that more and more people join us on our journey towards a million Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ speakers.
“It’s also a significant boost to our local economy, providing jobs and drawing in thousands of visitors to enjoy the best of Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ art, food, and crafts. I'm proud that the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖhas been able to support Tafwyl again this year."
One of the festival's success stories is the band Taran, formed through the 'Yn Cyflwyno' (‘Presents’) project. This initiative encourages Cardiff school pupils to set up Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ language bands, offering them mentoring and performance opportunities at the festival. Since their debut at last year’s Tafwyl, Taran has continued to make an impact on the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ music scene.
Rhys, Taran’s guitarist, said:
"Playing at Tafwyl opened our eyes to the vibrant Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ music scene and all the opportunities it offers. We're aiming to release music and get it played on platforms like BBC 6Music to show that Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ talent is thriving."
Nat, another band member, added:
"Coming from a non-Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ speaking family, I was amazed by the support and opportunities for young Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ speakers. The gigs and encouragement we've received have been incredible."
The creative industries Minister, Sarah Murphy, said:
"Tafwyl showcases the thriving Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ creative scene. Taran’s journey has not only sparked their interest in Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ music but also created a natural context for the Îʶ¦ÓéÀÖ language beyond school. Their enthusiasm reflects the broader excitement that Tafwyl generates."
The total economic impact of Tafwyl is expected to be around £2.1 million.