New Welsh public relations company is offering cynghanedd writing service

A newly launched Gwynedd-based public relations company is offering to promote local businesses with cynghanedd.

Ar Goedd has been created by Osian Wyn Owen as a way to ‘shout about Welsh businesses, Welsh service and Welsh ideas’.

Along with the usual press relation, brand creation and translation services, the company also provides poetry or cynghanedd promotion for businesses.

Cynghanedd, which can be translated as ‘harmony’ or ‘chiming’, is a Welsh poetry form of alliteration and internal rhyme that can be traced back to the sixth century.

Osian, who lives in Caernarfon and has experience working with Golwg360, has talked about the importance of the Welsh language to his business.

Natural

Speaking to the North Wales Chronicle, he said: “The Welsh language is as much a part of the area’s way of life as the landscape and the people.

“Speaking Welsh is as natural as breathing. And using the Welsh language isn’t just ‘the right thing to do’, it’s also wise from a business perspective.

“Just like water or wind, the Welsh language is a natural resource available to us.”

He says that tourism needs to be ‘re-imagined’ to make it sustainable and the Welsh language and culture have a major role in achieving that.

The company name ‘Ar Goedd’ is a Welsh language phrase meaning to say something publicly or openly.

The role of cynghanedd in Welsh culture was recently raised by Golwg magazine columnist Huw Onllwyn when he criticised the eisteddfod for being outdated.

He said: “Even the main events (such as the Chairing of the Bard) are not relevant to 98% of Welsh speakers. How many of us are really interested in cynghanedd – and read the winning poem?”