Wales eyeing "Cymru": Over 10,000 support petition for renaming in favor of Welsh roots
The originators of the petition want to change the country's name to communicate to the world the cultural uniqueness of Welsh inhabitants.
"The world knows about Wales because of its English connection since 1282. Hardly anyone has heard of Cymru or realises that we have our own unique language and culture which is totally different from the other countries within the United Kingdom," a part of the petition reads.
The Welsh language reference
The document also underlines that the current name, Wales, "is not a Welsh word at all." Conversely, the transition from an English to a Welsh term would not be a new phenomenon. The country has utilized this approach several times to draw from the traditional Welsh language. The renaming of Brecon Beacons national park to Bannau Brycheiniog in April last year serves as an instance.
A split among politicians
The proposed name change has split Welsh opinion. Some, including the leader of the Welsh Conservatives Andrew Davies, argue that there are more pressing issues to address in the country. Simultaneously, this politician emphasizes the importance of "celebrating Wales' bilingualism".
On the other hand, Rachel Garrick, a local Labor Party politician, disagrees and endorses the preservation of Welsh names. She asserted that many countries are currently shifting away from Anglicisms and adopting their native names.
