EVERYTHING DOES INDEED HAVE A SILVER LINING and the up-side of
all this rain is the incredible plush verdancy. I am at one with the
tourists in Siðn Jobbins' article Gwlad! Gwlad! on the influence of
landscape. Perhaps too it is this damp weather of ours which creates
mellifluous Welsh voices.
Some of those voices will be on show in Lorient this year, The Year of
Wales, when our country will take central position on an international
stage showcasing the best of its talent and culture. Sadly, the
Interceltic Festival clashes with the Eisteddfod, but it is well worth
experiencing and if you have the energy you could fit both in.
Llangollen, on the other hand, brings the world to Wales, a revelation
of colour and exotica. Sometimes I have heard it said of Llangollen ‘but it’s not a very Welsh
event’. Well possibly, but the International Eisteddfod was born of
Wales and its ethic of promoting world peace and harmony garnered a
Nobel nomination.
The Machynlleth Festival, this year celebrating its
twenty-first year, offers the finest music and art in a very Welsh
setting. This year internationally renowned pianist Julian Drake takes
over from the indomitable, indefatigable Ruth Lambert as Artistic
Director.
For me the highlight of the Welsh calendar is the Eisteddfod. I love
everything about it, the atmosphere, the concerts, the coming together
of Welsh culture old and new, and the total immersion in the Welsh
language. If you haven’t been to the Eisteddfod before, it really is
something you should experience. Hywel Teifi Edwards has written
(inevitably) an informative and amusing article on the history of the
Eisteddfod and the significance of its coming to our capital. The
Eisteddfod organisers have also brought out a Lonely Planet-style
pocket-size guide for non- Welsh speakers which will be available free
from Borders, Cardiff (in the David Morgan Building, the Hayes) and at
the Eisteddfod Welcome Centre.
The speaking of English on the maes does not carry the same burden of
shame it once did, but it is my avowed aim to be able, one day in the
not so distant future, to attend and not have to resort to English. My
list of excuses has grown longer but has recently been seriously
undermined. For the past year or so a very nice little book has been
sitting on my bedside table gathering dust: Welsh in a Year by Jen
Llywelyn. A few weeks ago I spoke to her on the telephone and bleated
out my usual excuses: work, children and so forth. Despite the fact
that Jen had learned Welsh whilst at the same time working and doing a
history degree, she managed to inspire me with optimism rather than
inadequacy, and it is this coupled with great enthusiasm that makes her
book so pleasurable. Not only is it about the learning of Welsh, and
full of useful phrases and tips on pronunciation, but it is also
enjoyable and humorous, filled with nuggets of information about Welsh
life, history and culture. She even recommends Cambria! Jen will be
signing books at our stand on Tuesday 5th August from 11am.
Yes we will have a stand in at the Eisteddfod. Please do come and say
hello, we would love to meet you. If you are missing any back issues
most of them will be available - we have just had a store clear-out and
have found a few that we had thought had sold out. If you want to order
them in advance and pick them up there let us know. The stand will be
manned by a blend of staff and contributors, some of whom will be doing
book signings. Timings for book-signings will be announced on the
Cambria website. We look forward to seeing you in the capital.
Frances Jones-Davies