Aber i Aber

….Aber i Aber: Exploring Coastal Welsh Identity

Following the success of our Ffordd Sain project, which celebrated communities along the A470, we shifted our focus to the coast, exploring Welsh identity in estuary towns and coastal communities across Wales.

With support from the Arts Council of Wales’ Create Lottery programme, we worked with ten diverse communities, connecting with young people, cultural groups, environmental organisations, and local historians. Aber i Aber set out to explore what it means to be Welsh in these unique coastal areas, delving into identity, heritage, and the cultural significance of the word Aber.

These coastal towns, often bilingual, historically rich, and facing modern challenges such as tourism pressures, housing issues, and environmental concerns, shared a common desire: to have their voices heard and their sense of place recognised.

Over 300 people took part in creative workshops, producing original music and videos that express their experiences of living in Aber communities.

You can explore the map showcasing more of the incredible work created by these inspiring communities:

Explore The Map

Expand the map to find more videos, audio and pictures from Aber i Aber and past CMW projects

..Aber i Aber: Archwilio Hunaniaeth Arfordirol Cymru

Yn dilyn llwyddiant ein prosiect Ffordd Sain, a oedd yn dathlu cymunedau ar hyd yr A470, fe wnaethom symud ein ffocws i'r arfordir, gan edrych ar hunaniaeth Gymreig mewn trefi aberoedd a chymunedau arfordirol ledled Cymru.

Gyda chefnogaeth gan raglen Loteri “Creu” Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru, fe wnaethom weithio gyda deg cymuned amrywiol, gan gysylltu â phobl ifanc, grwpiau diwylliannol, sefydliadau amgylcheddol, a haneswyr lleol. Aeth Aber i Aber ati i archwilio beth mae'n ei olygu i fod yn Gymro yn yr ardaloedd arfordirol unigryw hyn, gan ymchwilio i hunaniaeth, treftadaeth, ac arwyddocâd diwylliannol y gair Aber.

Mae'r trefi arfordirol hyn yn aml yn ddwyieithog, yn gyfoethog yn hanesyddol, ac yn wynebu heriau modern fel pwysau twristiaeth, problemau tai, a phryderon amgylcheddol, ac mae gan bob un ohonynt yr un awydd cyffredin: cael eu lleisiau wedi'u clywed a'u synnwyr o le wedi'i gydnabod.

Cymerodd dros 300 o bobl ran mewn gweithdai creadigol, gan gynhyrchu cerddoriaeth a fideos gwreiddiol sy'n mynegi eu profiadau o fyw yng nghymunedau Aber.

Gallwch archwilio'r map sy'n arddangos mwy o'r gwaith anhygoel a grëwyd gan y cymunedau ysbrydoledig hyn:

Archwiliwch y Map

Ehangwch y map i ddod o hyd i fwy o fideos, sain a lluniau o Aber i Aber a phrosiectau CGC yn y gorffennol

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….Aber Hafren

Beginning with a series of online sound design workshops, Community Music Wales joined forces with Living Levels for an immersive sound recording project that launched on a sunny St David’s Day. This community sound event brought people together to explore and capture the distinctive acoustic environments of Welsh estuaries. Part of Aber i Aber—a creative project connecting estuary communities—and the Sound Levels initiative, the experience celebrated the rich natural audio landscapes of South Wales. The project began at Newport Wetlands Centre, a stunning nature reserve perfect for sound exploration and outdoor learning. CMW tutors Joel Lipman and Jack Egglestone, along with naturalist Ed Drewitt, guided participants in discovering and recording the unique sonic character of the area.

..Aber Hafren

Gan ddechrau gyda chyfres o weithdai dylunio sain ar-lein, ymunodd Cerdd Gymunedol Cymru â Lefelau Byw ar gyfer prosiect recordio sain trochol a lansiwyd ar Ddydd Gŵyl Dewi heulog. Daeth y digwyddiad sain cymunedol hwn â phobl ynghyd i archwilio a recordio amgylcheddau acwstig nodedig aberoedd Cymru. Rhan o Aber i Aber—prosiect creadigol i gysylltu cymunedau aberoedd—a'r fenter Lefelau Sain, i brofi a dathlu tirweddau sain naturiol cyfoethog De Cymru. Dechreuodd y prosiect yng Nghanolfan Gwlyptiroedd Casnewydd, gwarchodfa natur syfrdanol sy'n berffaith ar gyfer archwilio sain a dysgu yn yr awyr agored. Arweiniodd tiwtoriaid CGC Joel Lipman a Jack Egglestone, ynghyd â'r naturiaethwr Ed Drewitt, y cyfranogwyr i ddarganfod a recordio cymeriad sonig unigryw'r ardal.

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….Aberarth

In Aberarth, Community Music Wales worked with members of the DYMA NI group for young adults with disabilities, to create a  vibrant, multi-arts project. Led by CMW tutor and creative movement facilitator Alexander Holloway, the project combined visual art, free-form dance, music-making, and storytelling inspired by local myths.  The project provided diverse opportunities for creative self-expression and cultural exploration. Designed to build confidence, independence, and physical well-being, sessions were responsive to individual needs through ongoing feedback. Participants developed new artistic skills, strengthened social bonds, and thrived in a safe and inclusive environment that encouraged collaboration, imagination, and personal growth. 

..Aberarth

Yn Aberarth, bu Cerdd Gymunedol Cymru yn gweithio gydag aelodau o grŵp DYMA NI ar gyfer oedolion ifanc ag anableddau, i greu prosiect bywiog, aml-gelfyddydau. Dan arweiniad tiwtor CGC a hwylusydd symudiad creadigol Alexander Holloway, cyfunodd y prosiect gelf weledol, dawns rhydd, creu cerddoriaeth, ac adrodd straeon wedi'u hysbrydoli gan fytholeg leol. Darparodd y prosiect gyfleoedd amrywiol ar gyfer hunanfynegiant creadigol ac archwilio diwylliannol. Wedi'u cynllunio i feithrin hyder, annibyniaeth, a lles corfforol, roedd y sesiynau'n ymatebol i anghenion unigol trwy adborth parhaus. Datblygodd y cyfranogwyr sgiliau artistig newydd, cryfhawyd cysylltiadau cymdeithasol, mewn amgylchedd diogel a chynhwysol a oedd yn annog cydweithio, dychymyg, a thwf personol.

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….Aberteifi

This bilingual creative songwriting mentorship programme for musicians aged 18+ was a collaboration between CMW and Mwldan, Cardigan, during autumn 2024. With the help of CMW mentor Rhys Taylor, participants explored themes such as confluence, local history, landscape, and environment to inspire original songwriting. Local artists with prior songwriting and performance experience were selected to develop their creative practice in a supportive and vibrant musical community. The programme culminated in a live sharing event at Mwldan in December, showcasing the work created during the mentorship and celebrating the talent and creativity nurtured throughout the sessions.

..Aberteifi

Rhaglen fentora ysgrifennu caneuon creadigol dwyieithog oedd hon ar gyfer cerddorion 18 oed a hŷn ac roedd yn gydweithrediad rhwng CGC a Mwldan, Aberteifi, yn ystod hydref 2024. Gyda chymorth mentor CGC, Rhys Taylor, archwiliodd y cyfranogwyr themâu fel cydlifiad, hanes lleol, tirwedd ac amgylchedd i ysbrydoli cyfansoddi caneuon gwreiddiol. Dewiswyd artistiaid lleol â phrofiad blaenorol o gyfansoddi caneuon a pherfformio i ddatblygu eu harfer creadigol mewn cymuned gerddorol gefnogol a bywiog. Ar ddiwedd y rhaglen ym mis Rhagfyr cafwyd perfformiad byw yn Mwldan, i ddathlu'r dalent a'r creadigrwydd a feithrinwyd drwy gydol y sesiynau drwy rannu'r caneuon a grëwyd yn ystod y fentora.

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