Welsh culture takes centre stage at Barry Island
Gwyl Fach y Fro was organised by Menter Bro Morgannwg.
A festival of Welsh language music, culture and arts took place recently along the promenade on Barry Island.
Entitled, Gwyl Fach y Fro, the day was organised by Menter Bro Morgannwg and featured high profile bands and performers, who were joined by local schools for a celebration of the Welsh language in the Vale. Barry Male Voice Choir started the day with a performance outside Marco’s cafe
On ‘Llwyfan y Traeth’ (main stage) there were performances by local bands Dagrau Tân, Wigwam and Parisa Fouladi. They were joined by rapper Sage Todz, and singers Parisa Fouladi and Lowri Evans.
Whilst, on the ‘Glanfa Gwynfor’ stage in the bandstand there was a busy programme of performances by local schools and community choirs.
Early in the afternoon, a performance of ‘Plant y Fro’ a new commission from Cowbridge-based singer-songwriter Caryl Parry Jones took place involving hundreds of primary schoolchildren from across the Vale.
Also, in this area were two performances of Mari Ha! – a new contemporary dance commission from dancer / choreographer Osian Meilir, and based on the folk traditions of the Mari Lwyd. This is a co-production with this year’s National Eisteddfod and Green Man Festival.
Later in the day, the schools stage became the folk / acoustic stage with performances from Lo-Fi Jones, Siân Francis, Bethan Nia & Brigyn. Throughout the day, there was hula hoop workshops with The Sparklettes, street theatre with Kitsch n Sync, whilst on the beach there was sports activities with the Urdd.
A snapshot from the day:
Photographs by Meirion Lewis
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