Yr Egin is extremely proud to support the Eisteddfod and the centre has been buzzing with activity over the last few months, from recording music for the ‘Plethu’ Project and the opening song of the Eisteddfod through Merched yn Gwneud yn Miwsig, to welcoming over 1,000 from Carmarthenshire primary and secondary school pupils and Trinity Saint David University students for Project 23.
Project 23 – Chwilio’r Chwedl – will be the opening performance of the Urdd Eisteddfod. As part of the project, the young people from the ‘Slic’ crew who meet here weekly, created short films, many school performances were filmed, a rapping workshop was held with Izzy Rabey and an impressive Merlin puppet was created by students from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. All these marvellous creations can be seen at the Eisteddfod from Sunday, the 28th of May.
Carys Ifan, Director of Canolfan S4C Yr Egin, says
“Yr Egin is here to spark creative imagination and nurture the talents of the future and working together with the Eisteddfod and Urdd Myrddin over the last few months to provide these key experiences for the development of so many children and people young has been a pleasure. Having creative experiences such as these raises the status of the Welsh language and its culture in a public, contemporary and exciting way. I would like to wish Project 23 and the Urdd Eisteddfod well over the next week”.
Urdd Myrddin is one of the tenants in Yr Egin, so the excitement about the Eisteddfod has been felt in the centre for a long time. In April, Yr Egin was responsible for hosting workshops in partnership with the Urdd Eisteddfod and Merched yn Gwneud Miwsig, to create the official song of the Urdd Eisteddfod in the company of the well-known performers from Carmarthenshire, Hana Lili and Adwaith. Also during the month, over 150 pupils from the County’s special units visited the Egin to create and record a song about ‘Jac Tŷ Isha’ with Neil Rosser and the ‘Pwdin Reis’ Band.
Llio Maddocks, Artistic Organizer of the Urdd Eisteddfod, says about working together with Yr Egin on the above projects
“The support that Canolfan S4C yr Egin has shown to the Carmarthenshire Urdd Eisteddfod is astonishing, with the whole team working hard to ensure opportunities for all children and young people in the county. The Urdd Office for the Myrddin region is located at Canolfan S4C Yr Egin, and this Eisteddfod is a testament to how we can work in partnership with other arts organisations.
We have worked together on several exciting projects such as the Merched yn Gwneud Miwsig workshops, Project 23, and Project Plethu, and I would like to thank all the staff, and Llinos Jones in particular, led by Carys Ifan, for ensuring that these artistic events succeed and offer experience and creative opportunity to the youth of the region.”
As stated by Llio above, the contribution of our Engagement Officer, Llinos Jones, has been enormous to the preparations for the Eisteddfod this year, as she has been volunteering and contributing time for her working hours to be Art Director on Project 23, to coach individuals and parties for competitions at the Eisteddfod, and is part of several fundraising committees too.
“It gives me great enjoyment to see children and young people develop skills, gain confidence and enjoy themselves. The week of the Eisteddfod is the pinnacle of months if not a year of preparations. The Urdd is a special organization to work with, through my job and voluntarily. They offer so many opportunities, including every voice whilst doing so” said Llinos.
Most recently, Yr Egin has been a filming and sound recording location for Project 23, recorded by companies that are tenants in Yr Egin, Carlam and Steffan Rhys Williams in conjunction with Tinopolis and Telesgop.
Carys Edwards, Chair of the Eisteddfod Executive Committee and Director of Project 23, says
“The rehearsals are going particularly well so far, and it has been a special experience for everyone to come to the Egin, and we are so grateful to have been able to use the space. Everyone has been rehearsing first at Y Galon, and then coming to Y Stwidio Fach to record. Most of the children haven’t been in a studio where there are cameras and microphones recording before, so the process has really been amazing for them.”
Canolfan S4C Yr Egin will be at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s stand at the Eisteddfod this year. You’re are welcome to call to have a go at animation workshops and a chance to try using cardboard VR gadgets. For more information about what the Egin offers, visit our website, www.yregin.cymru.
