WATCH: Ancient tale of three Welsh rivers given new lease of life through stunning animation

The ancient myth of the Three Sisters of Plynlimon has been brought to life through vibrant animation designed to celebrate the epic landscape of Mid Wales.

Unveiled on Saturday (18 May) for the first time, the short film tells the story of three strong-minded women who each make their journey from Plynlimon in the Cambrian Mountains to explore the land beneath them, eventually forming the rivers Severn, Wye and Ystwyth.

Narrated by Hinterland actor, Ioan Hefin, the animation forms part of the Three Sisters of Plynlimon project led by Powys County Council, which aims to engage locals and visitors alike with the three rivers and how they have helped shape the land and life around them.

The project hopes that the modern take on the tale will inspire people young and old to re-connect with their heritage and to get out to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mid Wales during Wales’ 2019 Year of Discovery.

Wendy Abel, from Mid and North Powys Destination Network, said: “Each river and the towns and villages they travel through have their own unique identities. Ystwyth is wild and adventurous, Wye is tranquil and picturesque, and Severn is vibrant and curious of the culture that surrounds her.

“Through this project, we want to celebrate not only the story of the rivers, but the communities and life around them too.We’re confident that the animated video will do just that, helping to capture the imagination of audiences and encouraging them to explore the area’s history and heritage in a way they may not have done before.”

Ben Pelhan, from creative agency Brick wall, which produced the animation, added:
“Our whole creative team loved bringing this story to life. Its scale is mythic, it’s tone wondrous, and of course it is set against the varied and stunning landscapes of Mid-Wales.”

GWYLIO: Stori hynafol am dair afon yng Nghymru’n cael bywyd newydd drwy animeiddiad trawiadol

Mae chwedl hynafol Tair Chwaer Pumlumon yn fyw eto drwy animeiddiad bywiog i ddathlu tirwedd wefreiddiol Canolbarth Cymru.

Cafodd y ffilm fer ei dangos am y tro cyntaf ar ddydd Sadwrn (18 Mai) ac mae’n adrodd stori tair menyw benderfynol sy’n teithio fesul un o Bumlumon ym Mynyddoedd Cambria i archwilio’r tir oddi tanynt, gan ffurfio afonydd Hafren, Gwy ac Ystwyth yn y diwedd.

Y storïwr yw un o actorion y Gwyll, Ioan Hefin, ac mae’r animeiddiad yn rhan o brosiect Tair Chwaer Pumlumon sy’n cael ei arwain gan Gyngor Sir Powys. Y nod yw cael pobl leol ac ymwelwyr fel ei gilydd i ymwneud â’r tair afon a dod i ddeall sut maent wedi helpu i ddylanwadu ar y tir a’r bywyd o’u cwmpas.

Mae’r prosiect yn gobeithio y bydd rhoi gwedd fodern i’r stori’n ysbrydoli pobl, hen ac ifanc, i ailgysylltu â’u treftadaeth a chodi allan a mwynhau golygfeydd hardd Canolbarth Cymru yn ystod Blwyddyn Darganfod Cymru 2019.

Dywedodd Wendy Abel o Rwydwaith Cyrchfannau Canolbarth a Gogledd Powys: “Mae gan bob afon a’r trefi a’r pentrefi maen nhw’n teithio drwyddyn nhw eu hunaniaeth unigryw eu hunain. Mae Ystwyth yn wyllt ac anturus, Gwy yn dawel a phrydferth a Hafren yn fywiog a chwilfrydig ynghylch y diwylliant o’i chwmpas.

“Drwy gyfrwng y prosiect yma rydyn ni eisiau dathlu nid yn unig stori’r afonydd, ond y cymunedau a’r bywyd o’u cwmpas nhw hefyd. Rydyn ni’n hyderus y bydd y fideo animeiddiedig yn gwneud hynny, gan helpu i ddal dychymyg cynulleidfaoedd a’u hannog i archwilio hanes a threftadaeth yr ardal mewn ffordd gwbl newydd efallai.”

Ychwanegodd Ben Pelhan o asiantaeth greadigol Brickwall, a gynhyrchodd yr animeiddiad:
“Mae ein tîm creadigol cyfan ni wedi mwynhau dod â’r stori yma’n fyw. Mae ei graddfa’n chwedlonol, ei naws yn rhyfeddol ac, wrth gwrs, yn gefndir iddi mae tirweddau amrywiol a chwbl drawiadol Canolbarth Cymru.”