Living Language

In his 1962 radio lecture Tynged yr Iaith (‘The Fate of the Language’), writer Saunders Lewis (1893-1985) argued that revolutionary action was now imperative to save the Welsh language. Pont Trefechan (‘Trefechan Bridge’) was the site of the first of many protests organised by the newly formed Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (the Welsh Language Society). Thousands of young people responded to the call and blocked the bridge in 1963. The society went on to co-ordinate a campaign for equal status of the Welsh language, focusing on many areas including bilingual road signs. This movement culminated in Welsh language legislation in 1993 and 2011. In 2013, the blockade was re-enacted by Theatr Genedlaethol (the Welsh-language National Theatre of Wales) to mark its 50 year anniversary. Whilst in Aberystwyth, walk the New Promenade passing the Old College, which established its Department of Welsh Language & Literature in 1875.

Photo of Pont Trefechan - copyright Ian Capper / Geograph