Gwladfa: Gwilym Bowen Rhys

Have you seen Gwladfa: Gwilym Bowen Rhys on S4C?  The programme is on every Monday night at 8.00pm.

Folk singer, Gwilym travels to Patagonia in South America to visit the Welsh-speaking community there.  He learns about the history of the community, and meets local people who speak Welsh.

The programme is suitable for Welsh learners, and subtitles are available.

Here, we’ve spoken to Gwilym about the programme…

What was the best thing about the visit?
Singing with the locals and the food.

How was the welcome there?
Big and warm!

Do you speak Spanish?
I have quite a bit of Spanish now.  During lockdown, I watched Spanish cooking shows online.  Also, I’ve been to some Spanish-speaking countries.  But I speak Spanish with a Spanish accent, not a South American one.  The two are different.

You have been to Patagonia before, had much changed there?
The town of Puerto Madryn has grown a lot.  But in 2017, the experience was different because I didn’t know a word of Spanish.

What’s the situation of the Welsh language there?
The language is secure, because more children are receiving education through the medium of Welsh than before, but less people are speaking Welsh at home.

Have you found new songs?
Yes, many songs that were composed in the colony.  Also, a few Spanish versions of old Welsh hymns.

What will happen in the rest of the series?
Lots of singing and laughter, maybe a few tears… and stunning views.

After releasing a new album, what else is planned for 2025?
Gigging, gigging, gigging!  And adjudicating the folk singing competitions at the Eisteddfod in Wrexham.

You can watch the first episode on S4C Clic by following the next link:
Gwladfa: Gwilym Bowen Rhys - Pennod 1 - BBC iPlayer