Walien
Wales, Welsh, Walien
The Anglo-Saxon given names to Wales. The true meaning of these names are foreigners, aliens and those who do not belong. For centuries, England has controlled Cymru, harmful stereotypes about the people have been a joke to many and the language has survived attempts to eradicate it.
This project explores the rich culture of Cymru and itās natural beauty whilst reflecting on the involuntary shaping England has done to the culture and life of Cymru. Today, many of Englands wrong doings are hidden in plain site. The āPrince and Princess of Walesā titles are stolen titles that have yet to be given back despite the Royal Families ārespectā for Cymru, our railway infrastructure is still controlled by the UK Government, despite efforts to be put in place to end discrimination against the accent, people are still being denied opportunities based on their accents not being āunderstanableā to the English ear and a more well known example, a village called Capel Celyn, one of the last villages where Cymraeg was the only language locals knew, sitting at the bottom of a resovoir filled with water for the English.
As someone from Cymru who speaks Cymraeg itās disheartening to see the lack of change and representation for my country. Whilst this project is about a very serious matter, the images aim to show Cymru in its purest form, a country that is filled with kind, welcoming and warm people with a side of some of the best scenery in the UK.