The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) was delighted to welcome a group of students and a teacher from Patagonia to the Carmarthen campus on the 4th of June. The visit was organised by Ariela Gibbon, a teacher at Ysgol Gerdd y Gaiman and former headteacher of Ysgol Gymraeg y Gaiman and Llinos Howells.
Coleg Camwy is a school for 11–17-year-olds in Y Gaiman, Chubut province, Patagonia. The students began their Welsh journey at Ysgol Gymraeg y Gaiman at the age of 4, and Coleg Camwy ensures that students can continue to learn the Welsh language, develop their confidence to use it and promote the culture, language and heritage of Wales.
Ian, Emilia, Morena and Carolina's dream came true last month when they came to Wales for the first time. The students arrived on the 21st of May and have been busy visiting the Eisteddfod, Glan-llyn, Aberystwyth and several other places, before arriving at Carmarthen.
Links between Wales and Patagonia are deep and historical, dating back to 1865 when the Mimosa sailed to South America and to the province of Chubut. Today, the connections are as strong as ever. Several of the Centre's staff have worked in Patagonia in recent years either as teachers or as Welsh Language Development Officers.
We appreciate the support from schools in Patagonia as we create our new resource 'Dewch i Deithio a Dysgu Sbaeneg Patagonia.' The units include clips of learners speaking Spanish as well as instructions on how to learn one of the country's traditional dances. During their visit the students had the opportunity to visit the Immersive Room. We discussed the type of activities we do during school visits and lectures with students, as well as showing the videos which accompany the new resource 'Dewch i Deithio a Dysgu Sbaeneg Patagonia'.
In the afternoon the group performed at Canolfan S4C Yr Egin for the staff and students at Carmarthen Campus. Two traditional dances, La Chacarera and the Samba were performed and their new clog-dancing skills were shown with a dance to accompany the song ‘Patagonia’ which won ‘Cân i Gymru’ in 2023. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the performance.
This is what Ariela Gibbon had to say;
"I'm so happy that young people from Patagonia who have learned Welsh since they were children and have kept the Welsh traditions in South America have been able to come here and have such wonderful experiences in Wales. We are extremely happy and the students want to come back soon! Thank you for the warm welcome in Carmarthen and thank you to everyone who has helped us during this visit."
The Centre and the University would like to thank the students for giving their time to come to the campus. It was lovely to have the opportunity to chat, discuss resources and curriculum developments and the Welsh language. Best wishes to them as they head to university and we look forward to welcoming another group from Patagonia next year.