As part of the Diwrnod Shw'mae Su'mae celebrations earlier this month, Menter Iaith Rhondda Cynon Taf announced a brand new partnership with the National Eisteddfod, Helo Blod, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council and Ymbweru Bro as part of the Eisteddfod's legacy following this year’s successful festival in the area.
The awards celebrate the Welsh language among businesses and companies in the Rhondda Cynon Taf area, during the year leading up to the Eisteddfod, together with the period following the festival itself.
They’re also a chance to thank local businesses for their support and the awards also focus on what the local language initiative can offer the private sector to encourage and help them use more Cymraeg in the future.
Osian Rowlands, Chief Executive of Menter Iaith Rhondda Cynon Taf, said, "This year's Eisteddfod was one of the best for many years, and Pontypridd town and the whole area were a huge part of its success.
"Everyone who came to the area had such a warm croeso from businesses across the region, and we’re keen to celebrate this welcome and the effect it had on our language by launching the first business awards in Wales, using the Eisteddfod legacy to encourage businesses to have the confidence to use a litle more Cymraeg following the festival. My thanks to all our partners for getting involved in this brand new initiative."
Mark Drakeford, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Welsh Language, said, "The purpose of Diwrnod Shw'mae Su'mae is to encourage everyone to use whatever Welsh they have. I’m proud to be part of these brand new awards, celebrating the how local businesses in Rhondda Cynon Taf enthusiastically used their Cymraeg during the festival and following the event.”
Cllr Rhys Lewis, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Inclusion and Welsh Language, said: “Many businesses made the most of the opportunity presented by the Eisteddfod and should be proud of themselves for the warm, inclusive welcome they delivered.
“It was great to see them capture the spirit of the festival, using their Welsh Language skills and learning new ones. That certainly didn’t go un-noticed by visitors who had an incredible time. Just as impressive is the fact so many businesses continue to operate bi-lingually. All those who supported the Rhondda Cynon Taf Eisteddfod and helped to make it such a huge success deserve to be recognised in these awards and we wish them all the best.”
Betsan Moses, National Eisteddfod Chief Executive, added, "We’re very proud to be part of this project celebrating local businesses in the Rhondda Cynon Taf area. Creating a legacy for the Eisteddfod locally is vitally important, and we’re grateful to the Menter Iaith for their work and desire to celebrate Cymraeg locally following the festival.
"We’re also pleased to have the chance to thank businesses and companies across the area for their support and for being an essential part of the success of this year's event."
The awards are divided into five categories:
- Use of Welsh: an award for a business or company that has developed their use of Welsh and created opportunities for staff and customers to use our language
- Visible use of Welsh: an award for a business or company that made creative use of Welsh in the period leading up to, during and following the Eisteddfod
- Special award: an award for a cluster of businesses working together or on the same site that have shown support for the Eisteddfod and Welsh
- Local Diolch award: a special award presented by local volunteers to thank a business or company who supported the organisers and fundraisers during the period leading up to the Eisteddfod
- Croeso i’r ŵyl award: a chance for those who live outside the area to nominate a business or company that showed a special welcome to Eisteddfod visitors during festival week
All the details are on the Menter Iaith's website, , https://menteriaith.cymru/enwebu-busnes-2024/. The closing date for nominations is Friday 8 November, and the shortlist will be published on Monday 18 November, to mark 100 days since the Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod.
The awards will be presented at a special breakfast ceremony at the Lido in Ynysangharad Park, Pontypridd, the location of this year's Maes yr Eisteddfod, on the morning of Thursday 5 December.
For more information go to https://menteriaith.cymru/ and for more information on the Eisteddfod go to www.eisteddfod.wales.
Posted on 23/10/2024