When Dafydd Iwan was an architechture student in Cardiff during the early 1960s ( he never actually worked as an architect) he felt that he had missed out on the excitement generated by the emergence of the Welsh Language Society in Aberystwyth. He more than made up for it later, becoming the society’s chairman from 1968-1971 and campaigning tirelessly for Wales and its language ever since. He has also had huge success presenting his message through simple but powerful songs.

He was born in Upper Brynaman in Carmarthenshire, related on his father’s side to the famous ‘Cilie’ family of poets from Ceredigion. Being the son of a minister and moving from area to area, Dafydd claims he has never suffered from what he calls “the narrow parochialism that overwhelms so many Welsh people.” Yet, he supports to the hilt the campaign to protect “the Welsh way of life” in the rural heartland.

In 2003, he was accused of racism for suggesting that some English people were moving to Wales to escape from Asian immigrants. His supporters, however, say that it’s hard to think of anyone less racist than Dafydd Iwan, who has through his songs opposed inequality and oppression all over the world. His beautiful tribute to the Chilean musician Victor Jara being one example..

In partnership with Huw Jones, later head of S4C, he established the Sain record company in 1969. It was the troubled year of the Investiture of Prince Charles – or ‘Carlo’ as Dafydd Iwan controversially referred to him in song.

The company grew from a small rented house in Llandwrog in Gwynedd, to become Wales’ biggest record label He.is now also a county councillor and -as President of Plaid Cymru- holds a key national political office.

Throughout his political career, Dafydd Iwan has attracted both “the admiration and the wrath” of thousands. He has also charmed countless others with more than 200 published songs. Many would insist that it is thanks to the devotion and perseverance of Welsh people like him that - to quote his most famous song, ‘Yma O Hyd’ – we’re still here!