Celebrating Dydd Miwsig Cymru 2025
On the 7th of February, Wales celebrates Dydd Miwsig Cymru, an initiative aimed at fostering connections with the Welsh language and culture beyond the classroom.
Adnodd’s Digital and Experience Manager, Kirk Tierney, celebrates the Welsh music scene in this blog and shares our team’s top 10 Welsh language songs.
Why Welsh music matters
As a Welsh-speaking company operating in the education sector in Wales, this celebration deeply resonates with the Adnodd team, and we were eager to get involved. With Wales striving to have a third of its population speaking Welsh by 2050, I firmly believe that music is one of the most powerful and engaging ways to support this ambition, bringing people together through the universal language of music and song.
Learning music offers a wide range of cognitive, emotional, and social benefits, many of which parallel the advantages of learning a new language. Both disciplines have the potential to enhance memory, improve focus, and foster creativity through pattern recognition and problem-solving.
Just as language learning can develop the ability to understand and communicate through structured syntax and grammar, music involves interpreting and expressing emotions through rhythm, melody, and harmony. Both require active listening and practice, building neural connections that support other areas like critical thinking and emotional intelligence. Furthermore, music, like language, is a powerful tool for cultural connection, enabling individuals to express themselves and engage with diverse communities.
Pioneers of Welsh language music
Growing up in Wales, you quickly learn how important music, song, poetry, and performance are, especially through events like the Eisteddfod and the incredible music festivals we’re fortunate to have. I was particularly lucky to grow up surrounded by some incredibly talented musicians, including my brother, Kyle Lee, who has been part of many Welsh bands over the years (including Ginitis and COW) and recently performed at Saith Seren in Wrexham.
One of my school friends, Neil Thomson, founded the Wrexham festival FOCUS Wales, an incredible event for anyone passionate about music. FOCUS Wales is an annual showcase that highlights emerging talent in the Welsh music industry as well as artists from around the world. It has been described by Gigwise as” ‘One of the UK’s best festivals – showcase or otherwise’ ” and was recently awarded Best Festival for Emerging Talent. It fills me with pride to see such an amazing initiative thriving in Wales, and even more so knowing that a friend I grew up with is at the forefront of it.
We are very lucky in Wales to have truly passionate people who have dedicated their lives to promoting Welsh language music. Bethan Elfyn is a trailblazer who not only selects and shares the best of new music to listeners in Wales, but also beyond the border as well. She is also one of the founders of the BBC and Arts Council of Wales programme Horizons Gorwelion, supporting new Welsh bands, which is now in its 10th year.
Many of the artists selected for Horizons Gorwelion have gone on to become success stories internationally, including Aleighcia Scott, who now helps to promote and encourage new artists from the Welsh music scene on her popular Radio Wales radio show.
I recently discovered that my colleague Lleucu and her friend Catrin (who was in the 90s Welsh electro band CIA) co-founded Wales’ largest Welsh rock festival – Roc y Cnapan – while they were still at school. I’m told they spent more time arranging gigs than revising for their GCSEs! But one thing is sure, a generation of young people from the 1990s onwards discovered “cool Cymru” and weren’t so afraid to use their Cymraeg with their friends.
To me, this all underscores the importance of music in Wales and how people like my brother and friends can inspire the next generation of musical talent. Initiatives like Welsh Music Day play a crucial role in celebrating and promoting this legacy and It’s heartening to see how music continues to thrive in our culture and community.
On a personal note, joining Adnodd has given me the opportunity to reconnect with my love for the Welsh language. This renewed connection has sparked some inspiring thoughts about Welsh culture, music, and language. In fact, it’s motivated me to write my first bilingual song, and I’m excited to explore the possibilities of creating more music in Welsh.
Welsh music is deeply rooted in our culture, connecting us through creativity, language, and heritage. From celebrating emerging talent at FOCUS Wales to unique voices like Meilir Tomos, Welsh rappers such as Sage Todzand global platforms like goliath guitar tutorials, it’s inspiring to see how music continues to thrive in Wales. Dydd Miwsig Cymru is a celebration of the people and traditions that make our culture so vibrant, inspiring the next generation of talent and stories yet to be told.
Dydd Miwsig Cymru has grown from strength to strength, with workplaces, classrooms, radio stations, and venues all over the country joining in the fun. Teachers and students can find some tips on how to join in here.
Adnodd’s top 10 tracks
Here are the 10 songs selected by the Adnodd team to celebrate Welsh Music Day, I hope you enjoy them as much as I have!
- Sage Todz: Deg i Deg
- Beganifs: Cwcwll
- Adwaith: Fel i fod
- Jacob Elwy: Brigyn yn y dŵr
- Cowbois Rhos Botwnog: Clawdd Eithin
- Dom a Lloyd: Pwy sy’n galw
- Meilir: Ydy’r Ffordd Yn Glir
- Papur Wal: Llyn Llawenydd
- Kizzy Crawford: Enfys yn y glaw
- Tara Bandito: Drama Queen