Celebrities try to describe a Welsh word that has no direct English translation
SEVERAL FAMOUS FACES HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO HIRAETH.LIVE, A NEW FUNDRAISING PROJECT
WHAT DOES THE WONDERFUL WELSH WORD ‘HIRAETH’ MEAN TO YOU?
Hiraeth.Live, a new project launched by a group of Welsh businesses, is asking the people of Wales this important question as part of its fundraising campaign for two Welsh charities.
The charities are Hafal, which works with people across Wales who live with mental illness or care for someone who does, and Llamau, which is on a mission to end youth homelessness and homelessness for women in Wales.
So far, Hiraeth.Live has raised £4,000 for these two charities and several notable Welsh people have already contributed - including Bonnie Tyler.
The word ‘Hiraeth’ is not an easy word to translate and has different meanings - from a yearning, belonging, a homesickness from Wales to visiting a place your ancestors once lived - so this inspired the question of ‘What does Hiraeth mean to you’?’
Watch the video to see Swansea-born singer Bonnie Tyler’s take on the meaning of this special word.
Actor and Emmy winner Matthew Rhys wrote this about ‘Hiraeth’: “I have always maintained that if melancholy was an Olympic sport, the Welsh would be gold medalists. Little wonder that we have our very own, specific - if hotly debated as to its exact translation - word called Hiraeth. Its literal translation means ‘Long Gone’ and to many, this is an accurate start.
“Some say Hiraeth is close to a melancholic longing for a time or a place that can never be again. Others say it’s something a little deeper and more wistful than homesickness or maybe a great longing for home.”
Alun Thomas, chief executive of Hafal, said: “We are hugely grateful to the Hiraeth.Live project for raising vital funds for Hafal.
“We have all been fascinated by the discussions about ‘Hiraeth’ and it’s wonderful that the debate is being used as an opportunity to support some of the most vulnerable people across Wales. A big ‘diolch’ from all our clients, members, volunteers and staff.”
Fran Beecher, chief executive of Llamau, added: “We are determined to end homelessness for young people and women in Wales as everyone deserves to feel that sense of belonging, or Hiraeth. Llamau is thrilled to be partnering with Hiraeth.Live. Thank you.”
The businesses supporting this exciting project are Llanllyr Water, Penderyn Distillery, Vindico, Boathouse Climbing Centre, Buzz Culture, Siddiqui Rums, Wales2Win, Boss Brewing and Darogan Talent.
The project will run alongside the Welsh Government Diaspora Project, which is launching in the summer. This will focus on getting 500,000 names of people who are Welsh or interested in Welsh affairs outside of Wales.
HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?
Hiraeth.Live would love to hear from the public about what ‘Hiraeth’ means to them. The project is calling for people to send in quotes, photos, films, paintings or anything else that they feel conjures up this Welsh word.
Visit the website www.hiraeth.live to send content in or post on social using #HiraethLive. Alternatively, contributions to the two charities can also be made at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=HiraethLive&pageUrl=1