Wrexham University celebrating Welsh culture and heritage at National Eisteddfod

Being immersed within the Welsh language community and offering opportunities for staff and students to speak the language and be involved in the culture is crucial for inclusivity.

That is the view of Elen Mai Nefydd, Head of Welsh Medium Academic Development, speaking during the week that Prifysgol Wrecsam/Wrexham University has a presence at this year’s National Eisteddfod, which is taking place in Boduan in Gwynedd, until Saturday (12 August).

Elen Mai says the institution’s attendance at the event poses “enormous opportunity” and demonstrates its commitment to offering students – both current and prospective – and staff members the chance to speak their first language and celebrate their culture and heritage.

“We are delighted to be at the National Eisteddfod for the first time in a number of years,” she said.

“It’s a rich and vibrant showcase and celebration of the unique and special culture and language of Wales.

“For us as a university, the event provides exciting and enormous opportunity to meet and speak with prospective Welsh-speaking students and their families, engage with our institutions and organisations from across Wales, and really show that we are committed to offering everybody the chance to speak, learn and be supported in Welsh at Prifysgol Wrecsam.

“Thanks to our recently approved, Welsh Language Academic Strategy and Action Plan, there have never been more opportunities to speak and learn Welsh. This strategy and plan means enhanced learning and academic provision through the medium of Welsh.

“Those who have stopped by at our stall and spoken to us this week so far will have heard about what Welsh provision is available on our courses and as part of our overall offering.

“In particular, colleagues from some of our Nursing and Allied Health Professions courses have been on hand to highlight what provision is available for students on those courses.

“If you are visiting the Eisteddfod this week, please stop by and speak to a member of our team and find out how you can shape your future in a city that is shaping theirs.”

As part of the week, Prifysgol Wrecsam / Wrexham University is also working with Y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, which links in with universities across Wales to develop Welsh language medium opportunities for students, by supporting their stand on Thursday 10 August between 12pm-3pm and Friday 11 August, between 1-2pm.

Awel Wynne-Williams, Children’s Nursing Lecturer at Prifysgol Wrecsam/Wrexham University, is one of the team who will supporting the with Y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol stand.

She said: “As a Welsh speaker, I’m enormously proud of the strides we’re making in providing students and colleagues the opportunity to speak and learn Welsh at Prifysgol Wrecsam.

“I’m thrilled that we’ve got a presence at the National Eisteddfod this week, and in particular, I’m very much looking forward to supporting the Y Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol stand by providing an interactive session on the Thursday and Friday, alongside my Speech and Language Therapist Lecturer colleague, Ffion Roberts.

“Our session will be on how care and language go hand in hand, and how Nurses and Speech and Language Therapists work together to care for people with swallowing and breathing difficulties. We hope to catch a good number of people while there this week.”

The annual week-long celebration of Welsh language culture normally attracts around 150,000 visitors. This year’s Eisteddfod is being held near Pwllheli, in Gwynedd.

Traditionally, the event rotates between north and south Wales. Last week, it was announced that Wrexham will host the National Eisteddfod in two years’ time, with the festival to be held in the city in August 2025.