Bardd Plant Cymru
{{Short description|Children's Welsh-language national poet}}
{{langnf|cy|Bardd Plant Cymru|Children's Poet (laureate) for Wales|italic=no|paren=left}}; sometimes shortened to {{lang|cy|Bardd y Plant}} ('Children's poet (laureate)')) is the poet laureate of Welsh-language children's literature. It is one of the two national children's literature roles in Wales, alongside the English-language Children's Laureate Wales role. It is run by Literature Wales, and supported by the Welsh Government, S4C, the Welsh Books Council and Urdd Gobaith Cymru.
The current holder, for 2023–2025, is Nia Morais. The role was established in 2000, and has since been held by 18 people.
Description
Bardd Plant Cymru is a national literature role, which aims to encourage imagination and inspiration towards Welsh-speaking children using Welsh-language poetry. It was established in 2000, and managed by Literature Wales, and supported by the Welsh Government (specifically its Welsh Language Division{{Cite web |title=Coronavirus through the eyes of the children of Wales |url=https://www.s4c.cymru/en/press/post/37579/coronavirus-through-the-eyes-of-the-children-of-wales/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=www.s4c.cymru |publisher=S4C}}), S4C, the Welsh Books Council and Urdd Gobaith Cymru. Since its establishment 18 poets have held the role. The role is awarded every two years, and to a poet that displays passion for children and young people to take up Welsh-language literature. All activities conducted by the Bardd Plant Cymru are conducted in the Welsh-language, although some extra support is provided to children and young people whose first language is not Welsh. Bardd Plant Cymru, as part of their role, can organise classroom poetry workshops, pen official children's poems for special occasions, create online children's literature resources, and act as a voice for literary children and young people nationally and internationally.{{Cite web |title=Bardd Plant Cymru |url=https://www.literaturewales.org/our-projects/bardd-plant-cymru/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Literature Wales |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Price |first=Stephen |date=2023-12-08 |title=Newly instated Bardd Plant Cymru gets straight to work |url=https://nation.cymru/culture/newly-instated-bardd-plant-cymru-gets-straight-to-work/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Nation.Cymru |language=en-GB}}
Bardd Plant Cymru is one of the two children's literature roles in Wales, alongside Children's Laureate Wales, which is the position representing English-language children's literature in Wales. Both roles are run by Literature Wales and run concurrently, although only further support is provided for the Welsh-language role.{{Cite web |last=Review |first=Wales Arts |date=2021-10-07 |title=Literature Wales Announce Children's Poet Laureates - Wales Arts Review |url=https://www.walesartsreview.org/literature-wales-announce-childrens-poet-laureates/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=www.walesartsreview.org |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Children's Laureate Wales & Bardd Plant Cymru |url=https://libraries.wales/library-services-activities/children-families/childrens-laureate-wales-bardd-plant-cymru/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Libraries Wales |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Sarah |date=2021-10-09 |title=More poetry is needed: two children's laureates for Wales |url=https://nation.cymru/news/more-poetry-is-needed-two-childrens-laureates-for-wales/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Nation.Cymru |language=en-GB}}
By 2006, the position was chosen by a panel of judges, which would review nominations that have been put forward by librarians, writers, critics, and booksellers, including the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY).{{Cite news |date=2006-05-31 |title=Glyn's child laureate 'challenge' |language=en-GB |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/5033220.stm |access-date=2023-12-09}}
On 1 June 2023, at the 2023 Llandovery Urdd Eisteddfod, Literature Wales announced Nia Morais as the new Bardd Plant Cymru, taking over from the existing holder, Casi Wyn, in September 2023.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-02 |title=Nia Morais is the next Bardd Plant Cymru |url=https://www.aberdareonline.co.uk/2023/06/02/nia-morais-is-the-next-bardd-plant-cymru/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=AberdareOnline |language=en-GB}}
Specific commitments for the Bardd Plant Cymru is:
- Increase the access to Welsh-language literature for children and young people, specifically those from marginalised and under-represented backgrounds
- Improve the physical, mental health and well-being of children and young people through literature
- Increase the enjoyment of literature by children and young people.
- Empower children and young people through creativity
List of holders
This is a list of the holders of the title, which are:{{Cite web |title=Previous Bardd Plant Cymru |url=https://www.literaturewales.org/our-projects/bardd-plant-cymru/previous-bardd-plant-cymru/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Literature Wales |language=en-US}}
- 2000 – Myrddin ap Dafydd
- 2001 – Mei Mac
- 2002 – Menna Elfyn
- 2003 – Ceri Wyn Jones
- 2004 – {{not a typo|Tudur}} Dylan Jones
- 2005 – Mererid Hopwood
- 2006 – Gwyneth Glyn
- 2007 – Caryl Parry Jones
- 2008 – Ifor ap Glyn
- 2009 – Twm Morys
- 2010 – Dewi "Pws" Morris{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Dylan |date=22 August 2024 |title=Tributes paid to Dewi 'Pws' Morris |url=https://www.cambrian-news.co.uk/news/tributes-paid-to-dewi-pws-morris-715470 |website=Cambrian News}}
- 2011 – Eurig Salisbury
- 2013 – Aneirin Karadog (also as Bardd y Plant){{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Sion |date=2013-05-28 |title=Children's Poet Laureate for Wales named at National Urdd Eisteddfod |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/childrens-poet-laureate-wales-named-4024834 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Wales Online |language=en}}
- 2015 – Anni Llŷn{{Cite web |title=S4C congratulate Anni Llŷn, the new Bardd Plant Cymru |url=https://www.s4c.cymru/en/press/post/28145/s4c-congratulate-anni-lln-the-new-bardd-plant-cymru/# |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=www.s4c.cymru |publisher=S4C}}
- 2017 – Casia {{not a typo|Wiliam}}{{Cite web |title=Casia Wiliam to become Wales' children's poet laureate |url=https://www.thebookseller.com/news/casia-wiliam-become-wales-childrens-poet-laureate-561006 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=The Bookseller |language=En}}{{Cite web |date=2017-06-01 |title=Casia Wiliam is the new Bardd Plant Cymru for 2017-2019 |url=https://www.aberdareonline.co.uk/2017/06/01/casia-wiliam-new-bardd-plant-cymru-2017-2019/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=AberdareOnline |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Crump |first=Eryl |date=2017-05-30 |title=New Bardd Plant revealed at Urdd Eisteddfod |url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/new-bardd-plant-revealed-urdd-13113195 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=North Wales Live |language=en}}
- 2019 – Gruffudd Owen{{Cite web |title=Poet, Performer, Juggler: Gruffudd Owen is the new Bardd Plant Cymru |url=https://www.literaturewales.org/lw-news/poet-performer-juggler-gruffudd-owen-is-the-new-bardd-plant-cymru/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Literature Wales |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Crump |first=Eryl |date=29 May 2019 |title=Children's laureate honour for Gruffudd. |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Children%27s+laureate+honour+for+Gruffudd-a0586997659 |website=TheFreeLibrary |publisher=Daily Post}}{{Cite web |date=2019-05-30 |title=Poet, Performer, Juggler: Gruffudd Owen is the new Bardd Plant Cymru |url=https://www.aberdareonline.co.uk/2019/05/30/poet-performer-juggler-gruffudd-owen-new-bardd-plant-cymru/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=AberdareOnline |language=en-GB}}
- 2021 – Casi Wyn
- 2023 – Nia Morais