Chief Executive Siân Lewis described the occasion as ‘an unforgettable day’
AS Urdd Gobaith Cymru celebrate their centenary they broke the world record for the largest number of videos of people singing the same song on Facebook and Twitter in one hour.
There were 1,176 videos uploaded to Twitter and over 800 to Facebook as over 95,000 people took part in singing the Urdd’s theme song, Hei Mistar Urdd, ranging from school pupils to pensioners.
This beats the previous records of 250 and 418.
The Urdd’s Chief Executive, Siân Lewis said: “I thank everyone who has taken part in our centenary celebrations today and enabled us to reach this special milestone.
“The support is proving the demand for a bright future for the organisation. The centenary celebrations will continue throughout the year, with exciting developments and events.”
As an extension to the centenary celebrations of Wales’ largest youth movement, Cardiff will host Wales’ first Female Youth Sports Conference, the Urdd WRU seven-a-side rugby tournament in April and the Wales Urban Games Festival, which will showcase new Olympic sports such as BMX and skateboarding.
The Urdd provides opportunities in sport, literature, arts and worldwide opportunities through the Welsh language for people aged between eight and 25.
A national Eisteddfod is also held annually, where children and young people compete in competitions ranging from singing, folk dancing and creative writing.
There have been over four million members since the Urdd was founded, including Game of Thrones star Iwan Rheon and Hollywood actor Matthew Rhys.
They currently have 56,000 members, around 4,500 of which are in Cardiff, which is the home of the Urdd’s Cardiff Bay Residential Centre.
Twin sisters Carys and Anneira Moore, 18, from Gabalfa, have been members of the Urdd since they were in primary school, and continue to participate in events now.
“We’ve had opportunities to sing at the Millenium Centre and compete in many Eisteddfods, the largest travelling youth festival in Europe,” said Carys.
Anneira described her experiences with the Urdd as unforgettable: “I’ve made so many friends through the Urdd, the opportunities I’ve had are the foundation to who I am as a person.
“I’ve found passion in music and performing and that simply wouldn’t be possible without the Urdd.”
Owain ap Myrddin is one of the Urdd’s many regional officers and has expressed the importance of the Urdd in Cardiff.
“It plays a huge role in the development of young people. I have memories I’ll treasure forever with the Urdd and it’s an honour to work for them now and provide young people with amazing experiences here in the nation’s capital,” he said.
