What’s happening to all the Welsh societies in America??
What’s happening to all the Welsh societies in America?? After attending a number of Celtic festivals, all within 100 mi of Washington D.C. A small group of us (with Welsh backgrounds) noticed an almost lack of Welsh supporters. So we decided it might be worth wile to form a local (to Frederick MD) Welsh Society. We started doing some research to identify what was out there, and what we found was that a lot of the web links for groups near us were dead and the groups were gone. So with the thought of, why not, we chartered our group state wide, and became the Maryland Welsh Society. The second thing we noticed in our research was that most of the Welsh groups seemed to be tied to a church, and there activities were focused on Choir singing. Yes, we know that seems to be a big thing is Welsh culture. Not that we had anything against that, but it just wasn’t out thing. We were more interested in the other things of Welsh culture, Food, drink, dancing (Morris), and pre Christian history.
My question is since this seems to be a radical departure from the typical Welsh Society in America, are we going to be receiving grief from the rest of the Welsh society (here in America and in Wales itself).
Were still developing our web site, and planning next year’s activities, we plan to be at all the Celtic Festivals in the DC/MD, VA and PA area next year.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Doug Zimmerman on -
Quote "I was embarrassed when I told her to look in the direction I was pointing, the University of Rio Grande's library was less then fifty yards from where we were standing. I really wanted to ask her if she had any idea what makes Rio Grande "different" then other universities in the United States!"
Duh!
Well I guess I'm stupid because I have no Idea what you mean.
Ok the internet can only help but it needs info.
Did anyone read what I said!
Please address my points.
Thank You
Doug
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Permalink Reply by Roger C. Roberts on
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Understandable. Most people living in the United States seeking help in regards to their Cymreig connections, especially those living in the state of Ohio, are not aware of the University of Rio Grande's non-US charter. It is no secret, articles on URG appear in newspapers now and then.
I am aware of that I, by nature, tend to "hold back" on detail. I do it on purpose.
Excuse: I am involved with several local historical societies and during my presentations I employ the the "plant the seed" tactics in order to encourage those who have a real interest in the presented subjct to do some light research on their own.
I wasn't taught to do so, "it" was in me when I walked in the door.
Why: Telling someone what they should be thinking leads directly to the attitude we see today in regards to heritage societies.
Partial explaination: We Americans of the Baby Boomer generation, when told to do somthing by our elders, would ask "Why?" We were told "because that is the way is is done", or "Because I said so". Looking back there is no question in my mind that our elders DID NOT have an answer, but they had been deprived of many things as they grew up.
That lead to the typical Baby Boomer's general disinterest in heritage societies and other activities which we associated with our elders. We were determined to grow up in our elder's image.
In some areas that attitude did work, but in other areas it did not. At some point we Baby Boomers replaced the term "ask" with the term "challange".
I blame my generation and the Depression Generation for Generation "X's" unwilling to listen to anyone.
However, and I have stated this before, Generation "Y" is asking questions but they have no guides help lead them to the answers they seek.
I also stated before that the real reason Cymreig heritage societies are failing can be seen by looking into a mirror.
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Permalink Reply by Ceridwen Keeley on -
Doug, it looks like you may have identified a niche that hasn't been addressed. Personally, I won't be upset if you don't concentrate on choral singing and church services. Do you have a working website yet?
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Permalink Reply by Gaynor Madoc Leonard on -
Okay, now I get the references to the University of Rio Grande. I was wholly ignorant of the Madog Center for Welsh Studies but then I do not live in the USA! It was all a bit cryptic before.
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