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Cofiwch Dryweryn facts for kids
Cofiwch Dryweryn (which means "Remember Tryweryn" in English) is a famous stone wall covered in graffiti near Llanrhystud, Ceredigion, Wales. It's also known as Wal Cofiwch Dryweryn ("The Remember Tryweryn Wall").
A writer and journalist named Meic Stephens first painted these words on the wall of an old, ruined cottage in the early 1960s. He did this after the Liverpool City Council decided to flood the Tryweryn Valley. This flooding created the Llyn Celyn reservoir and meant that the village of Capel Celyn would be lost underwater.
Because of where it is located, its clear message, and how often it has been vandalized and then fixed, the wall has become a well-known landmark in mid-Wales. The phrase "Cofiwch Dryweryn" itself has become a very important slogan for Welsh nationalism. You can see it on T-shirts, banners, and even on other walls painted to look like the original.
Contents
Why is the Cofiwch Dryweryn Wall Important?
The Story of the Tryweryn Valley Flooding
In July 1957, the city council of Liverpool decided to flood the Tryweryn Valley. They got permission from the government in London to do this. However, they did not get permission from the Welsh authorities. Most Welsh Members of Parliament (people elected to represent Wales in government) were against the idea.
Local people also tried to share their worries about the plan. They sent formal questions to the council, but Liverpool did not answer them. Even with protests happening in Liverpool, London, and across Wales, the valley was flooded in 1965. This meant that several old communities, like Capel Celyn, were lost forever under the water.
How the Wall Was Created
In 1962 and 1963, Meic Stephens, a Welsh writer, painted many slogans in different parts of Wales. When he heard about the upcoming flooding of the Tryweryn Valley, he decided to paint "Cofiwch Tryweryn" (which means "Remember Tryweryn").
He drove around Wales with his friend Rodric Evans to find the perfect spot. He then spent about 15 to 20 minutes painting the message on the wall of an old cottage called Troed-y-Rhiw. The original message had a small grammar mistake in Welsh. Later, when the wall was repainted, the message was corrected to "Cofiwch Dryweryn". This added a small change to the word, which is common in Welsh grammar (called a consonant mutation).
What is the Wall's Cultural Impact?
The flooding of Tryweryn was a huge moment for Welsh nationalism in the 1900s. After this event, groups who wanted more power for Wales, like the political party Plaid Cymru, gained more support. Because of this, the phrase Cofiwch Dryweryn became a very important saying for Welsh nationalism. Most people in Wales recognize it, whether they agree with the message or not.
In an interview in 2006, Meic Stephens said he "didn't choose the spot for any particular reason." He also said he didn't expect the wall to become so famous. The wall's importance is clear from how often it has been vandalized and then restored. There is also an ongoing discussion about protecting it as a special Welsh cultural landmark.