Gŵyl Newydd is a brand new Welsh-language arts and cultural festival that took place for the first time during the week of September 10th – 15th 2018, with the highlight of the week on the Saturday at Malpas Court, Newport. The second festival in 2019 changed venues and was held at the Riverfront theatre building on the banks of the river Usk where again a variety of events happened to entertain from 12-4pm.
Last Saturday saw the Gwyl Newydd return to Newport for the first time time since 2019.
In just a few years the event has become an important part of the cities calendar and crucial in creating opportunities for the people of Newport to interact with and to see the Welsh language in their city.
Our Councillor Jason Hughes opened the event saying it had been a long road in coming back over the past few years as the Welsh language has faced a difficult period throughout lockdown.
Newport Council has taken precautions to make sure the language and culture can thrive in coming years including producing a Welsh language five year strategy and strategic plan and supporting Welsh language groups throughout the city financially.
Ysgol Gymraeg Nant Gwenllu which opened in Caerleon in the previous academic year and is the fifth Welsh medium school in Newport.
Menter Iaith now have a new permanent base in the new market building bringing the language into the heart of the city and they also do weekly walks on Thursday morning at the four locks centre ( Rogerstone) for Welsh speakers of all abilities.
Councillor Hughes went on to say that Newports progress has been steady but it was wonderful to see Welsh being spoken for the first time in decades regularly in Council meetings, cabinet and within the main chamber where he himself was proud to read the Royal proclamation in Welsh only this month on behalf of the Council.
