I went to Wales' biggest free Welsh-language festival and one thing really stood out
I moved to Wales four years ago, not knowing a word of Welsh. Now my Welsh is still very limited but when I first moved here, never did I imagine I would be attending Welsh language festivals.
Welsh seemed a language I would never wrap my head around and certainly one I never thought I'd immerse myself in. I was also worried I wouldn't even be welcome at the festivals, being English and that being immediately identifiable as soon as I opened my mouth.
How wrong I was.
It turns out Welsh festivals are a bucket load of fun, get it, a reference to the famous Welsh bucket hats? And not something to be missed.
Last year I attended three Welsh festivals, you can read about my first Eisteddfod here, and this year I returned to Tafwyl, ready to experience more.
It is running in Cardiff's gorgeous Bute Park, the perfect setting for it, this weekend on Saturday, June 14, and Sunday, June 15.
There is so much to enjoy at Tawfyl, from the two music stages, endless food options, children's area, and more.
As soon as you enter you are hit by the delicious smell of a range of street food and nearly overwhelmed with the Instagram opportunities, as two lovely signs declaring Tafwyl welcome you in.
After that, you can mingle and mooch around the trade stalls which are all Welsh artists, designers, and makers, selling everything from prints to jewellery and more.
(Image: Steph Colderick)
From there the festival opens up wider with the Tafiliwn stage to the left and the main stage, Prif Lwyfan, bang in front of you. Here Welsh artists from across Wales take to the stage bringing everything from rap to even renditions of Dolly Parton and Abba in Welsh.
Lining the sides of this are the amazing food traders including Hoggi Hoggi Hoggi, Greek options, vegan and vegetarian options, paella, and more.
Walk on past the main stage and past more incredible food vendors and you come into the children's section which has its own smaller stage and plenty of activities to keep the little ones occupied, such as the sports area and sensory tent.
This is where Tafwyl really comes into its own, as it really is for everyone.
(Image: Steph Colderick)
Welsh speakers, non-Welsh speakers. Old, young, and everyone in between. Families, couples, friends, and every combination possible.
It is truly joyous to walk past families spread out on picnics with little ones running around, young people grabbing drinks at the bar, elderly couples, and every walk of life in Wales, in one place, celebrating Welsh culture.
You don't need to be fluent in Welsh to bob along to the music and it's impossible not to see how much joy it brings and how it brings people together.
And it is totally free. It really is accessible for everyone and you can bring your own food, unopened soft drinks and reusable water bottles, so you literally don't have to spend a penny.
Welsh culture should never be hidden away and really is there for everyone to enjoy and Tafwyl I feel is the perfect example of this.
Free, accessible, welcoming, and incredibly good vibes - I couldn't ask for more from any festival. Diolch Tafwyl.
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