User:Trefelio/Diwrnod Shwmae

Shwmae Day, also Sumae Day, is a day marked in Wales every year to celebrate and promote the Welsh language. Shwmae and Sumae are informal greetings used in the south and the north respectively. The day is celebrated on 15 October in order to encourage community use of the language and to encourage non-Welsh speakers to give it a go and consider learning the language.

History
The day was held for the first time in 2013, and has been held every year since. Shwmae Day events are organised at grassroots level by individuals, organisations and schools, and co-ordinated by civic Welsh language umbrella group Dathlu'r Gymraeg.

Philosophy
The aim of Shwmae Day is to encourage Welsh speakers to start every conversation in Welsh, using Shwmae, Sumae, or a local variation. It is thought that, if Welsh speakers start conversations in Welsh, beginning on 15 October and continuing throughout the year, more conversations will be held in Welsh generally, strengthening the vitality of the language. It is also seen as a way of increasing awareness about the langugae among non-Welsh speakers, encouraging new people to start learning the language. One of the themes of the day is that the Welsh language belongs to all Welsh citizens and that everyone can contribute to its future vitality.