'R'YN NI YMA O HYD' ( WE ARE STILL HERE)

 I guess I'm a Welsh activist by proxy of my husband, who stood up, was counted, went to court and was fined for his part in raising awareness of the Welsh language in the 1960s and 70s. He and his friends went around Wales underlining place names and road signs in English and writing 'Cymraeg?' It begged the question about the status and use of the Welsh language by the UK government, local authorities and organisations of the time.
      Rhys never thought in his lifetime he'd such a radical transformation of what was a second class language to Welsh as a language of equal status with English, enshrined in legislation in an elected Assembly that manages many of Wales' affairs. When he started teaching it was in the first and only Welsh medium Comprehensive school in South Wales. There are now many primary and secondary schools in Cardiff alone, with projected growth as a bi-lingual education becomes more essential if you want to work in Welsh government.  It's easy to forget the struggle that went on for decades to reach  this place.
       On Friday we attended a concert marking 50 years of protest by Welsh singer Dafydd Iwan. When I first came to Wales, I misheard Rhys talking about him and for many months I referred to him as 'Dafydd, the One!' But, there is only one Dafydd Iwan.  More than any other Welsh singer of his generation he represents the struggle of a small oppressed nation.  He stands tall with greats like Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie. Dafydd sang to a full auditorium in the Weston Studio of the Wales Millenium Centre, and in telling his story he made no compromise for any non-Welsh speakers in the audience. He's not a great guitar player and many of his songs have the same chords but the vigour and belief with which he sings is truly inspirational. His songs are irreverent, funny, witty, and will I'm sure stand the test of time.
      Accompanying him was his own band, Heather Jones who continues to sing like a Nightingale and a group of three women calling themselves, 'Grug'.  The audience sang with fervour, especially in what feels like a new national anthem - 'Ry'n ni yma o hyd.'