A VIDEO of artists and school pupils performing a re-arrangement of the popular Welsh song Ysbryd y Nos will be released to celebrate UNESCO’s international Mother Language Day

The Cenedl Mewn Cân (Nation in Song) project is aiming to represent the Welsh language and culture in the video featuring top artists and hundreds of pupils across Wales as well as Patagonia, England and Dubai.

The project, led by Gwynedd Council Tourism Service in partnership with North Wales' six local authorities, held a public vote on a soundtrack with hundreds of responses and Ysbryd y Nos by Cleif Harpwood and Hefin Elis was the unanimous favourite.

Osian Huw Williams, winner of the National Eisteddfod Musician's Medal in 2015, has re-arranged the song and the video will include performances by well-known artists including Cleif Harpwood, Bryn Fôn, Eädyth and Mared Williams, as well as secondary school pupils.

Elin Evans, Cenedl Mewn Cân coordinator, said: “The enthusiasm from pupils, parents and teachers has been great. The passion to be part of Cenedl Mewn Cân has shown the importance of our language for young people and the pride we have, and a desire to share it with the world."

The song and the video will be released as part of the UNESCO International Mother Language Day celebrations on Sunday, February 21 and will be played first on Lisa Gwilym’s show on BBC Radio Cymru.

Meanwhile the video will be showcased on Visiting Snowdonia, Visiting Conwy and Visiting Anglesey social media accounts.

Cleif Harpwood said: "It’s a pleasure to be part of a project that promotes Welsh culture. Music is a natural way for us to share and celebrate our language. I’m looking forward to hearing Osian’s version in all its glory."

The unique video will be used to promote tourism to Wales, the Welsh language and national culture to the rest of the world once coronavirus restrictions are eased.

Gareth Thomas, Gwynedd Council cabinet member for economic development and community, said: “In these difficult times I am very pleased that we have been able to offer this special opportunity to our young people to help us raise international awareness in the Welsh language and our Welsh culture.

“This is a project in partnership with other local authorities who, like Gwynedd Council believe in the importance and value of using our language for the benefit of our communities, in business and to create a unique sense of place.

“In 2021, Gwynedd will receive a decision from UNESCO on the World Heritage application for the North West Wales Slate Landscape. Cenedl Mewn Cân is a timely project and reinforces our aim to celebrate our culture, our language and the important contribution of the slate landscape and its people, to the world”

This project has received funding via the Regional Tourism Engagement Fund (RTEF) and supported through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government, the Fund to improve the visitor experience and create stronger destinations by working together.

For more information about the project, contact Elin Evans, RTEF Project Coordinator, Tourism and Marketing Service, Gwynedd Council elinevans@gwynedd.llyw.cymru