Ty Siamas
Encyclopedia
Tŷ Siamas is the 'National Centre for Folk music
' in Wales
, and is situated in Dolgellau
.
Tŷ Siamas opened its doors to the public in Easter
2007 following extensive renovation and development of the old Neuadd Idris
, which was formerly the market hall for the town of Dolgellau.
The centre houses an interactive exhibition
which will allow visitors to experience Welsh music.
Tŷ Siamas is the brain child of Dyfrig Siencyn, Emyr Lloyd, Huw Dylan Owen, Dan Moris, and Ywain Myfyr (chairman and an establisher of Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau
), and managed by Mabon ap Gwynfor.
The dream of establishing a National Centre for Folk Music in Wales was realised after Siamas Cyf, the company created by local volunteers
to oversee the project, managed to secure £1.2 of public funding from Gwynedd County Council via their Local Regeneration Fund, (a fund of money awarded to local authorities by the Welsh Assembly); European Objective 1 regional aid; the old Welsh Development Agency
now part of the Welsh Assembly Government
's Department of Enterprise, Innovation and Networks; Cronfa Arbrofol Eryri, provided by Snowdonia National Park; and Cist Gwynedd, provided by the Economy and Regeneration Service of Gwynedd County Council.
The vision was to create a national centre for the folk music of Wales which would contribute to the understanding of Welsh heritage and the revival of Welsh culture, traditions and customs.
Tŷ Siamas are currently conducting a pilot project in local schools (Brithdir, Rhydymain and Dinas Mawddwy
) with the poet
Twm Morys
on three old Welsh musical customs associated with the winter - Mari Lwyd
, Calennig
, and the Plygain.
Folk music
Folk music is an English term encompassing both traditional folk music and contemporary folk music. The term originated in the 19th century. Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers....
' in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, and is situated in Dolgellau
Dolgellau
Dolgellau is a market town in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, lying on the River Wnion, a tributary of the River Mawddach. It was the county town of the former county of Merionethshire .-History and economy:...
.
Tŷ Siamas opened its doors to the public in Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
2007 following extensive renovation and development of the old Neuadd Idris
Neuadd Idris
Neuadd Idris is the old market hall in Dolgellau, now known as Ty Siamas.-History:The early history of the building is uncertain, but it is believed to have been built circa 1870 with the upper rooms being used as assembly rooms. Some believe it to have been designed by an an Italian Architect,...
, which was formerly the market hall for the town of Dolgellau.
The centre houses an interactive exhibition
Collection (museum)
A museum is distinguished by a collection of often unique objects that forms the core of its activities for exhibitions, education, research, etc. This differentiates it from an archive or library, where the contents may be more paper-based, replaceable and less exhibition oriented...
which will allow visitors to experience Welsh music.
Tŷ Siamas is the brain child of Dyfrig Siencyn, Emyr Lloyd, Huw Dylan Owen, Dan Moris, and Ywain Myfyr (chairman and an establisher of Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau
Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau
Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau is a world music event held in the town of Dolgellau in Wales. The event was established in 1992, and was held in the town's streets. Since 2002, Sesiwn Fawr Dolgellau has been held on the Marian, a large grassy area next to Afon Wnion. There is a campsite provided for visitors...
), and managed by Mabon ap Gwynfor.
The dream of establishing a National Centre for Folk Music in Wales was realised after Siamas Cyf, the company created by local volunteers
Volunteering
Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity, intended to promote good or improve human quality of life, but people also volunteer for their own skill development, to meet others, to make contacts for possible employment, to have fun, and a variety of other reasons that could be...
to oversee the project, managed to secure £1.2 of public funding from Gwynedd County Council via their Local Regeneration Fund, (a fund of money awarded to local authorities by the Welsh Assembly); European Objective 1 regional aid; the old Welsh Development Agency
Welsh Development Agency
The Welsh Development Agency was a QUANGO and later an Assembly Sponsored Public Body established in 1976 to encourage business development and investment in Wales, to clear derelict land and to encourage growth of local businesses...
now part of the Welsh Assembly Government
Welsh Assembly Government
The Welsh Government is the devolved government of Wales. It is accountable to the National Assembly for Wales, the legislature which represents the interests of the people of Wales and makes laws for Wales...
's Department of Enterprise, Innovation and Networks; Cronfa Arbrofol Eryri, provided by Snowdonia National Park; and Cist Gwynedd, provided by the Economy and Regeneration Service of Gwynedd County Council.
The vision was to create a national centre for the folk music of Wales which would contribute to the understanding of Welsh heritage and the revival of Welsh culture, traditions and customs.
Tŷ Siamas are currently conducting a pilot project in local schools (Brithdir, Rhydymain and Dinas Mawddwy
Dinas Mawddwy
Dinas Mawddwy is a village in Gwynedd, north Wales, just to the side of the A470 so that most visitors pass the village by. Its population is roughly 600. The village marks the junction of the unclassified road to Llanuwchllyn which climbs up through the mountains to cross Bwlch y Groes at its...
) with the poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
Twm Morys
Twm Morys
-Biography:Morys was born in 1961 in Oxford, a son to the author Jan Morris. He was brought up in Llanystumdwy and attended Ysgol y Llan, before attending boarding school in Shrewsbury at the age of seven...
on three old Welsh musical customs associated with the winter - Mari Lwyd
Mari Lwyd
The Mari Lwyd , also Y Fari Lwyd, is a Welsh midwinter tradition, possibly to celebrate New Year , although it formerly took place over a period stretching from Christmas to late January...
, Calennig
Calennig
Calennig is a Welsh word meaning "New Year celebration/gift," though literally translates to "the first day of the month," deriving from the Latin word kalends. The English word "Calendar" also has its root in this word.-Celebrations in Cardiff:...
, and the Plygain.