Thursday, October 15 will be the third time Wales will be celebrating Shwmae Sumae Day and once again a huge variety of activities are being held across the country to encourage everyone to greet each other in Welsh on that day and give Welsh a go.
The aim of the campaign is:
– to make Welsh more prominent and public,
– show that the language belongs to everyone in Wales, regardless of their proficiency
– and consequently encourage the use of Welsh every day and all year round.
The campaign has been very lucky to be supported by a variety of people and organizations. This year our champions are the Welsh singer and entertainer the Welsh Whisperer, Gareth Wyn Jones, farmer and broadcaster from Llanfairfechan, Canolfan Soar who have revitalised the economy and the Welsh language in Merthyr Tydfil and Angharad Williams who run a ladies’ fashion business in Lampeter and Machynlleth.
Gareth Wyn Jones said:
“I’m really pleased to be part of the Sumae campaign which encourages everybody to use as much Welsh as the have. Don’t be shy give it a go! I do my best to use the language on social network and on the media. As a farmer the Welsh language is an essential part of the fabric of rural communities and the agricultural industry. It’s important to use it every day. If we don’t, who will?”
The Welsh Whisperer, Môn FM Disc jockey and a man who’s entertained the masses in pubs, halls and cowsheds across Wales, said:
“I am delighted to be part of a campaign to promote the language and open doors to Welsh learners and encourage others to learn our language. It’s great to be part of the same campaign with Wales’ most famous farmer (no, not Dai Llanilar, but) Gareth Wyn Jones from Llanfairfechan! Both of us have felt the mountain dew, wear a flat cap, and are passionate about the language, our communities and Welsh beer of course. ”
Business woman, Angharad Williams said:
“ I’m really proud to support the message of Shwmae Sumae Day and start every conversation in Welsh. Using Welsh in a local business like Lan Llofft & Duet is essential in an area like Lampeter and we want to extend a Welsh welcome to all our customers whatever their grasp of the language is. Using the Welsh language to promote the business on our social media outlets was common sense, and as a result we have received even more support as our customers value our commitment to the language and want to support a local Welsh business. “
Scarlets RFC will also be supporting Shwmae Sumae 2015 by holding an evening of entertainment on the following Friday, October 16 before the Leinster game. With the co-operation of Menter Gwendraeth Elli and others and Y Lle – Llanelli’s new Welsh language centre an array of entertainment will be put on for the whole of the family from 5 – 7pm before kick off. So make sure you pop over.
The Pembrokeshire Shwmae crew have organized the second Shwmae Awards awards ceremony after the resounding success of last year’s event.
Dathlu’r Gymraeg have seen communities and organisations across Wales take ownership of the day themselves. Its success lies in the enthusiasm of dynamic individuals such as the pupils of Bishop Mcgrath School, Bridgend who take it upon themselves to organise the day’s activities. Shwmae Sumae does not recieve any public funding or sponsorship and has grown from the grass-roots rather than the top down and long may it last!