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30.
May
2017.
Welsh welcome in the capital for language commissioners from around the globe

Language commissioners from across the world have been given avery special Welsh welcome to the capital. The commissioners were entertained by 4 and 5 year old pupils from Cardiff Welsh-medium primary school, Ysgol Hamadryad. 

The commissioners were in Cardiff for the International Association of Language Commissioners' conference, hosted by Welsh Language Commissioner, Meri Huws. 

Ysgol Hamadryad headteacher, Mrs Rhian Carbis said: "I, along with the whole school community, am extremely proud of the children. They sang magnificently, in front of a huge audience, and with such confidence it was easy to forget that they are only a small group of 4 and 5 year olds. 

"The fact that the invitation came to us from Meri Huws, as Welsh Language Commissioner, is also something I am very proud of. I know she has followed the establishment of Ysgol Hamadryad with interest, with the school placed as it is, right in the heart of an area of Cardiff that is rich in culture and diversity. 

"The children had a fantastic time and we are all looking forward to welcoming more and more pupils through our school gates as we continue to grow and continue to prepare for the move to our brand-new home in Butetown. 

"We have had a very successful first year in the school and I want to thank my staff, all the parents, governors and the whole community for their fantastic support. Diolch yn fawr." 

The commissioners travelledfrom Canada, Kosovo, Ireland, the Netherlands, Catalonia, and the Basque Country.They each sharea common goal of protecting the rights of speakers, and the conference is an opportunity for them to share experiences and to learn from each other. This is the first time the conference has been held in Wales. 

Meri Huws, said:"The conference is a fantastic opportunity to show the world that the Welsh language is alive and thriving, and that the use of Welsh is growing here in Cardiff. I know that by walking around the city, the commissioners will see and hear the Welsh language all around them - on road signs, in shops and cafes, and simply just by hearing people talk to each other. 

"I could think of no better way of capturing the vitality of the language than by inviting pupils from Cardiff's twentieth, and newest, Welsh-medium school to welcome them to Wales. It really was fantastic, and was much appreciated by the commissioners."