New festival for Welsh learners at the National Library of Wales
03.04.2017
Welsh learners in the Aberystwyth area will have the opportunity to practise and enjoy speaking the language in a new festival, ‘Ar Lafar’, held at The National Library of Wales on 22 April.
There will be a variety of activities suitable for learners at all levels on offer, including guided tours, workshops, a treasure hunt and one-man-show with the actor Llion Williams. Welsh language taster sessions will also be available to visitors who would like to learn some Welsh.
The aim of this free festival is to give learners and their families an opportunity to socialise and use their Welsh in an informal, relaxed setting, while at the same time enjoying the treasures on display at the National Library.
The festival will be held between 10.30am-3.30pm and visitors are asked to book beforehand
This free one-day festival is the result of a new partnership between the National Centre for Learning Welsh, the National Museum and the National Library of Wales.
‘Ar Lafar’ will also be held at three other sites across Wales: St Fagans National History Museum, Cardiff, the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea and National Slate Museum in Llanberis.
Linda Tomos, Chief Executive and Librarian, The National Library of Wales said:
"It is a great pleasure to welcome the Ar Lafar festival to the National Library of Wales. This new and exciting partnership will encourage the Welsh language to flourish by offering informal opportunities for people to chat through the medium of Welsh, and by using our rich culture and heritage as a way of inspiring interest in the language.
“As an organisation, we are always eager to encourage and support both learners and fluent Welsh speakers, and hope that events like these will give people the confidence to use the language comfortably in public places such as the Library."
Efa Gruffudd Jones, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh, said: “We’re delighted to form this new partnership with the National Museum and National Library.
“When learning Welsh, it’s vital to have the opportunity to practise the language in an informal setting outside the classroom. We also know a large number of people learn the language because of a sense of identity or roots.
“This festival combines those elements perfectly, giving people the opportunity to enjoy practising Welsh while at the same time learning more about Wales’ rich history.”
For more information
Contact Hawys Roberts on hawys.roberts@dysgucymraeg.cymru or 07812757716
Editor’s notes
- The National Centre for Learning Welsh is a new organisation responsible for the Welsh for Adults education programme.
- It’s possible to reserve free tickets for the Ar Lafar festival at the National Library of Wales.