With the National Eisteddfod in Rhondda Cynon Taf starting in Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd on Saturday 3 August, there are several events taking place related to the ARFOR program. As the project is run by many institutions and the work is at its peak, there is a wide variety of discussion sessions on different subjects relating to the Welsh language and the economy to be sampled his year.
Llwyddo’n Lleol
Llwyddo’n Lleol (‘Succeeding Locally’) is a project looking at how the movement of young people and families affects the Welsh language in the areas where it is strongest and works to draw Welsh speakers who have moved to return to their communities. They have a stall on the Maes this year (number 166 and 167) and as well as providing information and opportunities to discuss the project they have organised a timetable of events and sessions to give voice to the viewpoints of young people regarding returning to the ARFOR areas.
‘Aduniad ARFOR’ (‘ARFOR Reunion’) will be held between 1:30pm and 2:30pm on Tuesday 6 August on the stall. This will be an opportunity for individuals to network and meet people and businesses that have taken part in the ARFOR project. It promises to be a good chance for those involved in the project, or who want to learn more to discuss their experiences and their ideas regarding ARFOR.
Following the reunion, at 2:30pm there is a panel discussion titled ‘Aros, Gadael neu Ddychwelyd?’ (‘Stay, Leave or Return?’) which will hear from young individuals that have had different careers and educational experiences either having moved away or returned to ARFOR areas. The panel will include Nia Haf, Llwyddo’n Lleol’s Project Officer, the actress heledd Roberts, Sion Rhys Roberts who is originally from Ceredigion but has stayed in Cardiff after completing his degree and Sioned Johnstone who has returned to Carmarthenshire to start a business.
Cronfa Her
The Cronfa Her (‘Challenge Fund’) which is run by Mentera, funds projects from individuals and businesses that are located in ARFOR areas and that want to make a difference to the way they use the language by expanding or developing innovative ideas. The Cronfa Her teams have several events planned during the Eisteddfod week.
On Wednesday 7 August there will be a panel discussion titled ‘Llwyfan i Heriau ARFOR’ at the Aberystwyth University stall between 1pm and 3pm. On Friday 9 August the event ‘Byd y campau yn ARFOR’ will be held at Pentre Rhondda Cynon Taf / Calon Taf between 10am and 12pm. Also, on Friday there will be a discussion on ‘Welsh speaking workplaces’ in the University of Wales Trinity St David tent between 12:30pm and 1:30pm. Those who wish to attend are asked to confirm their place by e-mailing cronfa@mentera.cymru.
Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth University is one of the partners of the Research and Evaluation aspect of the ARFOR project and as part of that work are hosting a discussion regarding the findings of their work so far. Dr Elin Royles will chair the event and the panel includes the Senedd Member Adam Price, Elen Bonner from Bangor University, Llyr Roberts that works on the ARFOR Cronfa Her fund with Mentera, and Ioan Teifi from Wavehill who is leading the work on the evaluation reports. The discussion will be held in The Lido on the Maes at 2pm on Friday 9 August.
As well as the above sessions that are directly related to the ARFOR project there are many further events which is relevant to the wider work being done regarding the future of the language in our communities. Perhaps the most significant of these is the Final Report of the Commission for Welsh-speaking Communities which will outline the Commission’s final recommendations to Welsh Government. Dr Simon Brooks, the chair of the Commission will be discussing some of the main findings of the report in the Societies tent at 12pm on Thursday 8 August.
You can find a full events schedule for the National Eisteddfod by following this link to the Eisteddfod’s Website.
