Tafwyl Festival 2021 to stream live from Cardiff Castle

Tafwyl Festival will once again take place digitally on its 15th birthday this year, the organisers have announced.

The festival – billed as Cardiff’s celebration of the Welsh language, arts and culture – will take place on Saturday the 15th of May.

The music will be streamed live once again from Cardiff Castle via AM. Last year’s Tafwyl festival debuted as the UK’s first event to offer a platform for artists to perform live from the festival venue since the covid-19 health and safety regulations were introduced.

Manon Rees-O’Brien, Chief Executive of Menter Caerdydd, the festival organisers, said: “Following such positive feedback from the virtual Tafwyl last year, I’m excited to announce that Tafwyl will be held again this year – streaming live from Cardiff Castle on the 15th of May, supporting our talented Welsh artists and lifting the spirits of our audiences.

“Tafwyl offers Menter Caerdydd another fantastic opportunity to continue to raise the profile of the Welsh language within an innovative live event, whilst introducing the language and culture to a new, more diverse audience.”

Organisers say that 25,000 tuned into Tafwyl 2020 to enjoy the festivities on-demand within the comfort of their homes in countries as far afield as the USA, Japan, and New Zealand.

‘Excellent news’

The music line-up will be provided by Cardiff independent music venue and promoter Clwb Ifor Bach. Guto Brychan, Clwb Ifor Bach’s Chief Executive, said: “Clwb are looking forward to working with Tafwyl once again this year, curating a line-up of brilliant Welsh artists.

“Opportunities for us all to enjoy live music are few and far between at the moment, so it will be a fantastic opportunity for us all to come together (virtually) once again.”

As well as live music, several of Tafwyl’s usual offerings will be provided, including Q&As, literature sessions, and wellbeing workshops. Last year saw Tafwyl’s first virtual marketplace hosting over 50 traders. The virtual market will return this year and showcase products that are available in the area.

Eluned Morgan, Minister For Mental Health, Wellbeing and Welsh Language, said: “It’s excellent news that we can again work together to build on the success of last year’s digital Tafwyl. The innovative response in sharing, celebrating and bringing people together from the events and creative industries has been extremely successful – and has provided hope and entertainment during these difficult times.

“I’m very pleased that many of our events have been able to secure support from our Cultural Recovery Fund to help see them through their challenges.  This will be a great opportunity to bring some more of the Welsh language into our homes through this popular festival.”

For more information and to keep up to date with further announcements for this year’s festival, please visit www.tafwyl.cymru and Tafwyl’s social media channel @Tafwyl.