The thousands of people attending the Edinburgh Fringe Festival may well be expecting to see shows in German, French or Spanish.

But for one performance duo, it is the Welsh language that takes centre stage as they bring the audience on a journey deep into Celtic folklore.

Ffion Phillips, of the Harebell Tellers, says she is passionate about telling place-based stories that bring the language of the land to the spectators.

Creu Cymru, who promote performing arts in Wales, say Welsh language and bilingual shows give global audiences an opportunity to share in the “richness of our heritage”.

Every year Welsh acts descend on the Scottish capital and join more than 3,500 shows from performers all over the world ranging from comedy to cabaret, to street acts and spoken word.

The Harebell Tellers perform folklore and mythological stories through the traditional art of storytelling.

Ffion Phillips, from Wales and Ailsa Dixon, from Scotland, weave the Welsh and Scottish languages into their shows.

Ffion, from Conwy, said there are people at the Fringe who have never heard the Welsh language before.

“It’s amazing to take what is really a living, breathing language into venues that don’t get a great deal of it,” she said.

“If they are Welsh speakers it’s a beautiful point of connection.

“I love interweaving stories in a way that English speakers in the audience can still hopefully follow what I’m saying – it really brings them into the world of the story.”

The 20-year-old student has been storytelling since she was eight and started to incorporate the Welsh language soon after.

“The vast majority of my repertoire is Welsh folklore and myth. As a Welsh speaker in my daily life, I’ve always loved telling stories bilingually.”

Their show, Aderyn/Bird, explores bird mythology, dreams and fate.

Over three weeks in August the venues and streets in the Edinburgh turn into a hive of arts and culture.

Emily Davis is currently performing two shows, Blodwen’s in Town and Escape the Rat Race.

Through song, Emily, from Newport, Pembrokeshire, tells her story of moving from west Wales to London and then escaping corporate life all through the eyes of Blodwen.

“It’s about the culture shocks that happen to you when you come from a small village in west Wales and how you find yourself navigating a new world, leaving behind a support system and finding a new one,” she said.

She started her theatrical career 10 years ago after completing a cabaret course but found it difficult to perform as herself, so she created an alter ego.

“Blodwen is me, but without all the self-doubt and emotional baggage,” Emily said.

The 41-year-old pulls inspiration from her own life and, like Blodwen, works in an office when she’s not performing.

But the variety is not just in her performances but in the audiences that go to watch.

“Some days you might get two people at the show, other days 50 people will turn up and others will come because it’s raining outside. Every day is different,” she said.

Stand-up comedian, Stuart Thomas, has been performing at the Edinburgh Fringe for the first time, sharing what life was like growing up on a sheep farm in Port Talbot.

“I talk a lot about being Welsh, and about being fat as well, which is why the name of the show is called ‘Bad Fatty’. It is all about changing stereotypes.

“People sometimes hear my accent and don’t expect a lot from me, but you can use that in comedy and play with it. It’s a fun thing to do to change perceptions.”

Stuart now lives in Salford but has not forgotten his Welsh roots.

“It’s great to share a bit about Wales and have Welsh representation at the festival. The Fringe is a global showcase and people come from all over the world,” said the 32-year-old.

His show talks about body image, sexuality and mental health.

Stuart now works as a software engineer designing apps, as well as pursuing a career in comedy.

He got into stand-up after the Covid lockdown and has since gigged in more than 200 locations across the UK.

Louise Miles-Payne, Director Creu Cymru said: “The Fringe gives performers a platform for Welsh stories and our language in a unique environment.

“It’s a chance to test work out, showcase their talent and ensure that the voices of Wales are heard, celebrated, and understood on a global stage.”

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival runs until 25 August.