Today marks the eighth anniversary of Shwmae Su’mae Day, a national day held on 15th October to celebrate, encourage and promote the Welsh language.
The initiative aims to give people the confidence to start every conversation in Welsh, and to show the world that the language belongs to us all – fluent speakers, learners or those shy about their Welsh.
Shwmae Su’mae Day is co-ordinated by the Mudiadau Dathlu’r Gymraeg (Celebrating the Welsh Language) umbrella group – a network of organisations who celebrate the success of the Welsh language and call for action to ensure its future.
This year’s theme: Across the Waves
“This year’s Shwmae Su’mae Day is a very different day to the usual, but we still want your help!
“The theme this year, ‘Ar Draws y Tonnau / Across the Waves’, is about encouraging people to find new locations and ways of using the Welsh language during this unusual time, and to share it with Wales and the rest of the world.
“The aim is to start each conversation with a “hi there” in Welsh: shwmae, su’mae or shwdi! And so, if you have a chance to do this safely today, then please let us know how you’re celebrating Shwmae Su’mae Day!
“Tag us on Twitter (@ShwmaeSumae) and remember to encourage everyone to say shwmae (in South Wales) or su’mae (in North Wales).”
Ambassadors from around the world
“Our ambassadors have been working hard to share their experiences and inspire us, with this year’s focus being on how the Welsh language lives alongside the other languages of our communities.
“Ultimately, we want to demonstrate that the Welsh language truly belongs to everyone, from every nation and background.
“Our ambassadors this year speak Polish, Shona (from Zimbabwe), Breton, Irish, Hungarian and Catalan, as well as Welsh and English. You can find out more about them and their stories on our social media channels.
Collaboration with AM
To keep us all in touch this year, Shwmae Su’mae Day has collaborated with AMbobdim’s digital platform to encourage emerging artists – as well as organisations, festivals and venues – to create new digital content in Welsh, and to better publicise AM’s events throughout the year.
“We want the public to discover and enjoy the content already available on this platform, as well as attracting new audiences to Welsh-language events so we can enjoy hearing and using the language across the waves, wherever we are!
“AM will host a special Shwmae Su’mae Channel at www.amam.cymru/shwmae. The website will feature content from many of our partners’ events over the past few months. Download the AM app and enjoy!”
