A captivating bilingual storytelling initiative is sweeping across Wales, bringing communities together through tales of the night skies in the lead-up to Dark Skies Week Wales from February 13 to 22. The project, named Cysur y Sêr, which translates to the comfort of the stars, is a Welsh-led endeavour focused on developing stories in Welsh, promoting environmental respect, and creating a lasting legacy for future generations.
A Collaborative Effort to Preserve Cultural Heritage
Spearheaded by the storytelling production company Adverse Camber, Cysur y Sêr enjoys support from a wide array of organisations including Theatrau Sir Gâr, Arts Council Wales, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Welsh Government. Over the next two months, ten bilingual storytellers will deliver a series of events and activities throughout Wales, targeting both Welsh-speaking older groups and schools, as well as the general public.
Connecting Communities with Celestial Tales
For generations, stories of the night skies have helped societies interpret seasonal changes and key events. Wales, renowned as a top global destination for stargazing with its growing number of protected International Dark Sky Places and Reserves, provides the perfect backdrop for this initiative. However, the project also highlights a pressing global issue: light pollution, which now affects 80% of the world's population, obscuring natural night skies and impacting human, plant, and animal health.
As part of the Cysur y Sêr project, storytellers are collaborating closely with Prosiect Nos, which oversees the North Wales Dark Skies Partnership. This partnership involves key natural landscapes such as Eryri National Park, Ynys Môn, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley, and the Llŷn Peninsula.
Creating a Lasting Legacy
The project will leave a permanent legacy in the form of an audio collection of constellation stories told in Welsh, which will be housed at the People's Collection at The National Library of Wales. Dani Robertson from Prosiect Nos Dark Skies Partnership expressed enthusiasm, stating: "Prosiect Nos is extremely grateful to Adverse Camber and the ten storytellers, who will breathe new life into these stories and bring them into the hearts of communities around Cymru. This will allow a whole new generation to connect to the stories of the constellations, helping a nation understand what is at risk if we let light pollution block the skies."
Andrew White, director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: "We're pleased to support Cysur y Sêr, a project that brings together storytelling, language, and our natural heritage. By connecting communities with the night skies and Welsh myths, this initiative will preserve cultural heritage and inspire new stories for future generations."
Upcoming Public Events Across Wales
Following the initial project phase, an English-led performance titled Stars and their Consolations, featuring Greek myths of the stars, will tour Wales in March to April 2026. In the meantime, a variety of public events are scheduled, including:
- January 18 to 21: Ceri J Phillips and Tamar Eluned Williams at People Speak Up, Llanelli – free drop-in sessions.
- February 7: Stacey Blythe at People Speak Up, Llanelli – spoken word and story collecting.
- February 10: Gill Brownson at Busby-Braden Observatory, Llangoed – stargazing and storytelling for adults (booking required).
- February 14: Gill Brownson at Busby-Braden Observatory, Llangoed – stargazing for children (sold out).
- February 15: Mair Tomos Ifans at Plas Carmel, Uwchmynydd – family storytelling sessions.
- February 17: Multiple events including Hedydd Hughes at Castell Henllys, Pembrokeshire, and Dan Mitchell at National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.
- February 20: Workshops and storytelling in Pontardawe, Rhiwbina (Cardiff), and Moel Famau.
- February 21: Events in Abergavenny and Newport Wetlands with Usk Astronomical Society.
This initiative not only celebrates Welsh linguistic and cultural heritage but also raises awareness about the importance of preserving dark skies for future generations. For further details on the project and tour, visit the Adverse Camber website.
