Hay Festival launches Scribblers Cymraeg Tour at Prifysgol Wrecsam/Wrexham University

Date: 9 November 2023

Pupils from schools across Wales had the chance to get creative as the Hay Festival began its  Scribblers Tour at Prifysgol Wrecsam/Wrexham University.  

Hay Festival is an independent, mission-led charity that holds free outreach and educational programmes to celebrate literature and the arts. The Scribblers Tour aims to spark the next generation of storytellers and writers in Wales.  

This time around, the festival included a series of creative workshops led by different members of the team, solely through the medium of Welsh and supports the Welsh Government's ambition of reaching one million Welsh speakers by 2050. 

The event, which saw huge successes earlier in the year, is back across Wales this November, for Year 7 to 9 pupils. The event, which took place at Wrexham University, welcomed almost 100 pupils from Ysgol Maes Garmon, Ysgol Llanfyllin, Ysgol Morgan Llwyd and Ysgol Godre’r Berwyn. 

Students were able to share ideas as part of the creative process. 

The first workshop of the day allowed students to face their fears and create their own ghost stories. Led by Nia Morais, a writer and playwright from Cardiff, the pupils kicked off the session by sharing horror stories they had heard previously, and the character that scared them the most. After discussing their ideas, the pupils were given free rein to write their most frightening story.  

Nia Morais delivering the creative writing session.  

Niasaid: “We are trying to give pupils the confidence to write creatively, independently, and outside of the classroom. We want them to realise that poetry and literature aren’t just restricted to the classroom.” 

Casi Wyn, singer, author and songwriter hosted the next session, which allowed students to explore their musicality and poetic skills. Leading with the theme of climate change, pupils were invited to share which artists and songs resonated with them and take inspiration from these artists to apply to create their own lyrics.  

Casi Wyn leading the second session of the day. 

Following on from the session, Casi said: “Wrexham’s our first stop on the Scribblers tour and it’s been an absolute pleasure to collaborate with local voices from this very special part of Wales.” 

The Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, said: “I’m pleased Scribblers Cymraeg is expanding this year thanks to over £20,000 of Welsh Government support, giving more young people the chance to discover a passion for reading, writing and storytelling. Scribblers Cymraeg is a fantastic opportunity to use Welsh creatively and these sessions will inspire the next generation, helping us to reach our target of a million Welsh speakers by 2050.” 

Elen Mai Nefydd, Head of Welsh Language Development at Prifysgol Wrecsam/Wrexham University, closed the day with a talk on studying through the medium of Welsh and why pupils may wish to stay in Wales to continue their studies.  

She said “The Hay Scribblers Tour around Wales is an opportunity for school pupils to express themselves through the Welsh language on a creative platform and through writing.  

“Wrexham University is extremely proud to be able to hold this unique event this year on the university campus and welcome schools from the local area. 

“The Welsh language continues to play an integral part in our values at Wrexham, with more opportunities than ever to study through the medium of Welsh. Events such as the Scribblers Tour allow us to spark change in the next generation of learners.” 

This event was funded by Reaching Wider North and mid Wales Partnership.