A new showcasing opportunity under the banner Celtic Cousins at Showcase Scotland puts a spotlight on the role music plays in transmitting languages and the experience of Wales.
The event is part of the 25th anniversary of Showcase Scotland (a showcase which sits alongside Celtic Connections festival) taking place on Saturday 25th of January, which is Santes Dwynwen – the day of the Welsh Saint of love, as well as Burns Night in Scotland, the three showcasing artists perform in their respective Indigenous Celtic Languages.
The artists performing are Mared Williams - a singer-songwriter from Wales, Kim Carnie – a singer and composer from Scotland, and Padraig Jack – a singer-songwriter from Ireland.
The project is spearheaded by Arts Council of Wales’ international agency Wales Arts international with the support of Showcase Scotland, Welsh Government, Culture Ireland and Creative Scotland.
The event takes place in the run up to the 10th anniversary of Dydd Miwsig Cymru an initiative to celebrate all forms of Welsh language music.
Bethan Webb is the Deputy Director of Welsh language at Welsh Government. She said:
“Music plays an integral part in our Policy to see a million Welsh speakers by 2050. Music makes the Language relevant, to see it as more than just an academic Language – a way of life. Music can create that incredible emotional connection to Language and Culture which creates a strong personal bond.
Dydd miwsig Cymru – Welsh Language music day – celebrates 10 years this year – a milestone we are really proud of – and celebrating Welsh Language music now is an important date in the Welsh diary.
I want to wish this incredible showcasing festival a very happy anniversary. It is a key opportunity to tell the story of the Wesh language and to learn about opportunities to work with our Celtic diaspora and Celtic Festival bookers from across the world for the benefit of all our Indigenous Languages.”
Celtic Connections is Glasgow's annual folk, roots and world music festival, which celebrates Celtic music and its connection to cultures across the globe. As well as performing for a public audience at the Festival, Mared will be showcasing to international bookers from across the world at the industry focused, Showcase Scotland.
Mared said:
“It's an honour to be given the space to elevate Welsh language music outside of Wales. This opportunity doesn't come up very often, so debuting a Glasgow performance where I'll be able to meet other musicians and delegates who dedicate their work to connecting Celtic artists is super exciting. It's my first time in Glasgow, let alone the prestigious Celtic Connections. I was very excited to see the overall line-up for the festival, and seeing some familiar Welsh artists on there too! Bring on Santes Dwynwen and Burns night mash up!”
As part of the UN Decade of Indigenous Languages, Wales Arts International have been supporting artists in Wales to connect and listen to Indigenous artists and languages,
Eluned Hâf Head of Wales Arts International said:
“We recently welcomed leading Indigenous artists from north Turtle Island, or Canada as it’s known, to Wales to share learning and offer collaborative experiences for artists who are working with Indigenous languages and cultures internationally. We think a song can go a long way in inspiring people to use a language and to keep the connection with their ancestors and their future generations. Our Celtic languages are very fragile, but we know that music and the arts can inspire future speakers and performers, giving confidence and energy to old Indigenous knowledge.”
WAI is also supporting artists to attend Folk Alliance International this year taking place in Tiohtià:ke /Montréal, Quebec, on unceded indigenous lands. The Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) Nation is recognized as the custodian of the lands and waters of Tiohtià:ke (Montreal), which has long served as a place for many First Nations to live, meet and exchange.
Taff Rapids a bluegrass band from Cardiff, and singer-songwriter Eve Goodman from North Wales, will be showcasing as part of British Underground’s Amplified and Unplugged showcases. Taff Rapids will also be performing as part of the Folk Alliance International’s official showcases.
Eluned Hâf added:
“Showcasing at Folk Alliance International is an opportunity for Taff’s Rapids to reach audiences in north America with their transatlantic Celtic bluegrass, joining Wales and Canada through music and enabling them to connect with festivals and bookers.
Eve Goodman’s soft voice and melodic Welsh folk songs in our Indigenous language, Cymraeg, is not to be missed. We also look forward to continuing to explore whether songs can save a language with Indigenous artists in Tiohtià:ke/ Montreal such as Siibii who performed in Wales’s Mawr y Rhai Bychain Indigenous Languages festival recently. We are proud to support layers of collaborations and relations between the arts in Cymru, Quebec and Canada, and we thank British Underground for this opportunity and Welsh Government for their continued support.”
Celtic Connections: Tickets for Celtic Connections 2025 are available from www.celticconnections.com
Here is a short film from our Cylch Gwrando event and Gŵyl Mawr y Rhai Bychain in October 2024