On July 11, a small group of the Criw Cymraeg’s from across the primary schools in Merthyr Tydfil came together to compose a song to promote the Welsh language with the support of the ‘Welsh Whisper’. A total of 8 primary schools participated in the project.
The Criw Cymraeg’s are established in all schools across Merthyr Tydfil to encourage the use of the Welsh language and to arrange activities to promote the language.
All the children from the various schools, provided innovative ideas on creating lyrics for the song, with the aim of promoting the language, culture and heritage.
The Criw’s also engaged in a question and answer session with the Welsh Whisper. Many took the opportunity to ask questions on music, language and culture.
In the afternoon, additional members of the Criw Cymraeg’s from all schools joined for a ‘live performance’ of the new song being performed and were then treated to a gig, which they really enjoyed.
Catrin Owen, the Deputy head of Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Santes Tudful who arranged the event stated: “Everyone had an excellent day celebrating the success of every ‘Criw Cymraeg’ in Merthyr as we came together to compose a song with the Welsh Whisperer, performed the song and enjoyed the gig. The opportunity to come together in Merthyr to celebrate the Welsh language in an exciting and modern way was invaluable, and something we’d like to arrange on an annual basis.”
The children enjoyed themselves and had the experience to use the language in a social environment and practice use the language with children from other schools where children from English and Welsh medium schools spoke to each other and gained confidence in speaking and using the Welsh language. This project allowed an element of immersion into Welsh culture and it is hoped to be developed in the future through collaborating with all schools in Merthyr Tydfil.
Welsh Language Champion Cllr Geraint Thomas stated: “This project provides the opportunity for the children and young people of Merthyr Tydfil to speak our language and develop their Welsh skills and cultural knowledge. It provides them with the opportunity to use our language in a social environment, which in turn helps the Council to support the Welsh Government Strategy Cymraeg 2050 to grow our language within Merthyr Tydfil.”
