Wales’ Largest National Park to Change Name
The largest national park in Wales is set to undergo a significant rebranding as it moves away from its English name “Snowdonia” and exclusively adopts the Welsh name “Eryri.” The decision was unanimously agreed upon at a recent meeting of the Eryri National Park Authority in a bid to prioritise the use of Welsh place names within the park’s communication strategies.
The move to use only “Eryri” in the park’s official logo is seen as a way to honour the cultural heritage of the region and showcase a commitment to promoting the Welsh language. The Chief Executive, Jonathan Cawley, highlighted that this shift in branding is aimed at strengthening the park’s identity and emphasising the authority’s role in celebrating the unique heritage of the area.
A phased approach will be taken to implement the new logo across various physical assets such as signage, vehicles, interpretation panels, uniforms, and digital platforms. The park authorities will work closely with partners and stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition to the updated branding, considering effective cost management throughout the rebranding process.
Furthermore, the Eryri National Park Authority has already secured a trademark to use “Eryri National Park Authority” in all its non-legal and non-statutory communications. This move signifies a strategic focus on aligning all aspects of the park’s branding with Welsh cultural values and traditions.
Notably, councillors at the meeting deliberated on two design options for the new logo, both featuring yellow daffodils – a symbol synonymous with Wales. The majority expressed a preference for one of the designs, which will soon become the emblem representing the park’s transformation to the name “Eryri.”
The transition from “Snowdonia” to “Eryri” will encompass updates to the park’s online presence like the website and social media platforms, which will be immediately refreshed with the new branding. However, physical assets such as interpretation panels, letterheads, signage, vehicles, and uniforms will see a gradual rollout to minimise disruptions and costs during the rebranding process.
The decision to embrace the Welsh name “Eryri” in place of “Snowdonia” reflects a broader trend towards cultural revitalisation and linguistic preservation within Wales. It also underscores the importance of acknowledging and respecting the country’s rich heritage and language in all aspects of public representation and engagement.
As the Eryri National Park embarks on this transformative journey towards a more authentically Welsh identity, it signals a significant step in promoting cultural inclusivity, linguistic diversity, and heritage conservation within the region. This strategic shift in branding underscores a commitment to celebrating and upholding the unique Welsh identity of the national park for generations to come.