NAFOW 2020

 
Photos: 7

AmeriCymru:  Hi Megan and many thanks for agreeing to this interview. Care to tell our readers a little about the history of the NAFOW event?

Megan: Thank you for giving me this opportunity. The North American Festival of Wales is an annual event held over Labor Day weekend. It is organized by the Welsh North American Association and first started in 1929 as the ‘national gymanfa ganu’. The host city of the festival changes each year and it is held in both US and Canadian cities. In 2020, the festival was scheduled to return to Philadelphia for the first time since 1976. Unfortunately, due to the global health crisis the 2020 festival was cancelled. Plans are already under way for next year’s event in Ottawa and we will return to Philadelphia in 2022. While not what we originally had planned, we look forward to bringing a new version of the festival to a broader audience this year as we host; ‘North American Festival of Wales ~ On Demand’

AmeriCymru:  Would I be correct in saying that this is the first year in a century or more that the event will not be held live?

Megan: The first event was held in 1929 and was held every year since apart from twice during WWII. So this is the first time in over 70 years that there is no in person festival.

AmeriCymru:  What can you tell us about the exciting plans for an alternative online event?

Megan: We have an extensive line-up and are grateful for the many people were willing and interested in taking part. We decided to go with an ‘On Demand’ format making the whole program available from Sept 4-30. With over 20 hours of programing, we want allow viewers as much time as possible to enjoy our lectures, concerts, films and greetings and of course, our tribute to the gymanfa ganu.

AmeriCymru:  Who will be the main guests and headliners this year?

Megan: We have so many people taking part that it is really hard to pick who would be considered a headliner. We have many familiar faces returning to our program from presenters who have been to previous festivals. We are including programing from some of our musicians who were meant to be with us in Philadelphia; Cor y Penrhyn from Bethesda, Hogia’r Bonc and Philadelphia’s own Kathy Crusi who won our top Eisteddfod prize at the 2018 festival in Washington, D.C. We are also partnering with the Welsh government, the National Eisteddfod and Undeb Cymru a’r Byd to bring some new and exciting programing and welcome former First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones to our line-up.

AmeriCymru:  Will the winners of the online Eisteddfod be announced at the event?

Megan: Yes, the winners of our new poetry competition will be announced and recitations of the winning poems will be included in our ‘Eisteddfod’ element. This was a great addition to our Eisteddfod and we are excited to say that we received entries from four continents. A promising start for what is to come as we carry this competition forward in the future.

AmeriCymru:  Just to make sure that people know where and when to catch this years NAFOW, can you provide us with dates, times and platform details here?

Megan: Of course, the full program will be available, free of charge, on our website www.nafow.org starting on September 4 through Sept 30. We hope to reach as broad an audience as possible so please share with your family and friends, even if they may not have a specific connection with Wales. I promise they will find something to enjoy!

AmeriCymru:  Any final message for the readers and members of AmeriCymru?

Megan: I hope you will find time to tune in and enjoy our programing. If you have been to a festival in the past, you will see familiar faces and things to remind you of what being at a NAFOW is like. If you have not been, we hope this may pique your interest and you may consider joining us next year in Ottawa or in Philadelphia in 2022.

As I’m sure most of you will know, the Welsh, when they emigrated to the United States, brought with them their language and their culture, and very often built chapels in order to maintain them. If you look around the graveyards you will quite often find brief four-lined stanzas, commemorating the deceased. Unbeknown to most, this represents a tradition stretching back in to the Middle Ages and quite possibly further, into the mists of early Celtic poetry.

These little poems may look quite innocuous but, in fact, they are composed on one of the most demanding metrical systems of the world, a craft which can often take years to master. Each line of this 30-syllable stanza is composed of closely alliterating or rhyming phrases, and this is simply a summary of the most basic rules of cynghanedd (harmony). These aren’t strict rules meant to pretentiously elevate the poem to some idealised level of complexity – they are all about playing with sound so that a piece appeals not only to the mind but to the ear as well. It is only the better poets who master this. This meter is commonly known as an englyn , with englynion as the plural. Our earliest good examples are from about the twelfth century, where they formed parts of a much longer poem, an awdl . By the fourteenth century at least these englynion were being used as independent poems, often for lighter issues than the elegy and praise of the great court poets.

In 1654, in the middle of the Cromwellian interregnum we our first known example on a gravestone, from Llanigon in south-east Wales, very close to the English border, composed to a young student of the law at London. This tradition grows slowly for the next centuries, as the traditional poetic order declined and the was maintained by the lesser gentry, priests and other enthusiasts. Nevertheless the tradition is unbroken. About the 1830s, with the growth of chapels, increase in literacy the proliferation of Welsh journals and newspapers and books the number appearing on graves increases dramatically. The content is quite often a stark warning about the briefness of life, a statement of the hope for resurrection but quite often we find poems to important figures or ones commemorating murders or deaths in battle, tragic accidents, midwives, surgeons, a British prime-minister and so on.

One could confidently estimate that we have at least 25,000 of these with great numbers not having been recorded from large parts of Wales. We have many in England too, especially in Liverpool which sported an immensely Welsh-speaking community a little over a century ago. There are many on the graves of the war-dead, especially from the First World War, in Belgium, France and Palestine for example. More relevant is that we know of many from the United States but it seems that few have been recorded and we are rapidly losing the local knowledge about the deceased and the poets, as the language has receded and the stones are deteriorating with time. We desperately need to find volunteers willing to search the graveyards where the Welsh were buried, record the inscriptions and ask for further information.

The earliest known to me is from 1852, dedicated to the 23 year-old Mary Thomas, 1852 and is in Paddy’s Run (Ohio). The poet is her father.

...

Tiroedd a moroedd mawrion – a deithiais,

Nes deuthum at estron,

I geisio hawl o’r gŵys hon

I orwedd gyda’i feirwon.

Bardd Horeb

...

Vast lands and seas did I travel

Until I came to a foreign land.

To seek my rights from this furrow

To lie with its deceased.

...

The highest known englyn in the world is from Russel Gulch (at 9,150 feet) in the Colorado Rockies. Owen Jones died in 1856 at 56 years. Many coalminers had emigrated, having the necessary skills to work in the industry. Owen died from complications after a ball of dynamite exploded in his hand, blowing off one of them and many fingers from the other.

...

O afiachus wael fuchedd – o afael

Pob gofid a llygredd,

Aeth at ei Dad i wlad y wledd

Y nwyfiant a’r tangnefedd.

...

From an unhealthy poor life – from the grasp

Of every misery and corruption,

He went to his Father to the land of the feast

Of passion and peace.

...

There is a shorter couplet, to John Tyson, 1857 (52), in Slateville (Pennsylvania). This is where many north-walian slate quarrymen emigrated.

...

Dirymwyd edau’r einioes

Yn grwn gan yr hwn a’i rhoes.

...

Life’s thread was undone

Completely by he who gave it.

...

Sometimes, the deceased is commemorated on the family grave in Wales, such as Barbara Owens, Tre’rgarth, 1859 (22), Eglwys y Santes Fair; MW.

...

Er marw yn nhir Amerig – ac aros

Mewn goror bellenig

Byr hanes Barbara unig,

Huna draw, y fan hon drig.

...

Despite dying in the land of America – and tarrying

In a faraway land,

Brief was the life of lonely Barbara

Far away she slumbers, but here she lives.

...

The inscriptions are largely in Welsh, something which might present a challenge to the survival of local knowledge. The following is to Henry Williams in Slateville, from Nant y Graean by Bangor. He died in an accident on January 4 ^th , 1868.

...

Y gwir Oracl ef a garai – gair Iôn,

Yn gywir gyhoeddai,

Ac i’w fedd mewn hedd ydd ai

A dir ei ofn a derfynai.

...

The true Oracle he loved – the word of the Lord

Correctly he would announce,

And to his grave in peace he went

And the hardship of his fear ended.

...

The following is to a noted poet, preacher and writer, Richard Foulkes Edwards (Rhisiart Ddu o Wynedd), 1836- 1870 (34) Oskosh, Wisconsin. He was originally from north-east Wales and had won the chair in the 1864 Eisteddfod in Llandudno. This is the one attended by the great English poet Mathew Arnold, who so fervently wished to see the end of the Welsh language and culture.

Mawr gwyn fu rhoi mor gynnar – weinidog

O nodwedd mor lachar,

At feirwon mewn estron âr,

Y Bardd Du i bridd daear.

Hywel Tudur

...

Great was the grievance of placing so young – a minister

Of shining qualities.

To the dead in a foreign field

The Black Poet to the soil of the earth.

...

I guro, daeth llaw trugaredd – at ddôr

Risiart Ddu o Wynedd;

Am hyny’r sant, o bant bedd,

Waredir i anrhydedd.

...

Llonydd yw’r bardd a’r llenor – a dyn Duw

O dan dalp o farmor;

Bydd gwae dwfn i’r bedd gae dôr

A throi dros y fath drysor.

Eos Glan Twrch

...

The hand of mercy came to beat upon the door

Of Richard the Black from Gwynedd.

For that the saint from the valley of death,

Will be saved to glory.

...

Motionless is the bard and writer – a man of God

Under a slab of marble;

Great, deep woe that the grave closed a door,

And turned over such a treasure.

...

I have yet to ascertain where the following is located, the details not having been noted in the online site. Margaret Williams, 1875, 58 years old.

...

Fy mhriod hynod sy’n huno – yma

Wiw mwyach ei cheisio.

Ataf ni ddychwel eto

Gwael ei grym mewn gwely gro.

...

My remarkable spouse sleeps here

Futile now is to seek her.

Never again will she return to me

Feeble is her strength in a bed of shale.

Another commemorated in Wales is Thomas J. Williams, 1908 (34) in the graveyard of the church of Llanfihangel-y-pennant; He was buried in Boulder, Colorado.

...

Pell o’i wlad yn Colorado – hunodd

Tom heinyf ei osgo;

Ond, o unfryd ei hen fro,

Cu hafan, car ei gofio.

...

Far from his country in Colorado – he fell asleep

Tom the vigorous his bearing.

But with one voice in his old land

A fair haven, will remember him.

...

Occasionally the englynion are noted in Welsh journals. We need to search Y Drych, at some point. The following occurs in Y Gwladgarwr (The Patriot, 1839), but states that the poem is on the gravestone. Gabriel Davies, Cincinnati, Ohio:

...

I'w gorph gwan wele'r anedd , - ac obry

Mae Gabriel yn gorwedd ;

Trueni troi o Wynedd

I chwilio byd , a chael bedd.

Pedr

...

See the abode of his feeble body – but above

Does Gabriel like;

Tragic was turning from Gwynedd

To explore the world but to find a grave .

...

These are but a brief selection of the dozens currently known to us, but works in journals and comments from the United States indicate that we may have a far larger corpus of important poetry waiting to be recorded. If anyone can help in visiting graveyards and just asking around this would be hugely appreciated. It is already late to be embarking on this work, but hopefully not too late. Please do snap away with your smartphones and take pictures of the gravestones, the chapels and the cemeteries. All information is important. There is an urgency to this work. You can either contact me directly at gutorhys@yahoo.com or otherwise upload photos and comments to the Facebook group Englyn Bedd . In advance I’d like to say diolch yn fawr .

Dr Guto Rhys

Bilingual digital magazine parallel.cymru reaches 100,000 page views in first year.

The bilingual digital magazine parallel.cymru is celebrating a successful first year of publication, with 100,000 page views being viewed in that period.

Said Neil Rowlands, founder and project manager: "The purpose of parallel.cymru is to make the Welsh language and culture more accessible. This is done by presenting Welsh and English side by side, using a range of language registers informal, formal and literary, and is completely free to access from any web browser anywhere in the world.

"I'm extremely happy that thousands of people have enjoyed reading the many articles and made use of the unique resources. Presenters like Huw Stephens and Eleri Siôn, and noted authors such as lexicographer D. Geraint Lewis, Welsh Valleys Humour's David Jandrell, Bethan Gwanas, Elin Meek and many more have written exclusively for the site. There's also resources such as a crowd-sourced map of shops, pubs and public places where Welsh is used, a bilingual grammar guide, interactive quizzes, plus some articles have been narrated so that people can read and hear the Welsh language at the same time.

"For the Welsh Government's goal of one million Welsh speakers by 2050 to be met, there is a need for us extend the reach of the language and present it in different ways. Parallel.cymru, as an independent not-for-profit organisation, captures this spirit and energy.

"Over 140 people have provided content for parallel.cymru, and I am grateful for them supporting a new and different way of publishing. I look forward to supporting many more people contributing and helping more people to enjoy our beautiful language in an inventive new way."

Garmon Gruffudd, Managing Director, Y Lolfa, said: "It's great to see how Parallel.cymru has developed over the last few months to become an indispensable website for learners and an important source of information and materials for people who want to keep a finger on the pulse in Wales. It has been a pleasure to work with Neil and the crew, and as a publisher we really appreciate that they offer a new, easy to reach platform to discuss our work and we very much congratulate Neil on reaching 100,000."

Mae’r cylchgrawn digidol parallel.cymru yn dathlu blwyddyn gyntaf lwyddiannus a 100,000 o ymweliadau tudalen.

Dywed sylfaenydd a rheolwr y prosiect, Neil Rowlands: “Pwrpas parallel.cymru yw gwneud yr iaith a’r diwylliant Cymraeg yn fwy cyraeddadwy. Gwneir hyn drwy gyflwyno’r Gymraeg a’r Saesneg ochr wrth ochr, gan ddefnyddio ystod o gyweiriau iaith (anffurfiol, ffurfiol a llenyddol), a hynny’n rhad ac am ddim; a gellir cael mynediad iddo o unrhyw borwr gwe mewn unrhyw fan yn y byd.

“Rwy’n hynod o hapus bod miloedd o bobl wedi mwynhau darllen yr erthyglau niferus a’r adnoddau unigryw. Mae cyflwynwyr fel Huw Stephens ac Eleri Siôn, awduron cydnabyddedig fel y geiriadurwr D. Geraint Lewis, David Jandrell a’i ‘Welsh Valleys Humour’, Bethan Gwanas, Elin Meek a llawer mwy wedi ysgrifennu ar gyfer y wefan. Yn ogystal, mae yna adnoddau fel mapiau siopau, tafarndai a mannau cyhoeddus lle y defnyddir y Gymraeg, canllaw dwyieithog i ramadeg, cwisiau rhyngweithiol, ac mae rhai erthyglau wedi eu hadrodd hefyd fel bod pobl yn gallu darllen a chlywed y Gymraeg ar yr un pryd.”

“Er mwyn cyrraedd nod Llywodraeth Cymru o sicrhau miliwn o siaradwyr y Gymraeg erbyn 2050, mae angen i ni ehangu’r defnydd o’r iaith a’i chyflwyno mewn gwahanol ffyrdd. Mae parallel.cymru, fel sefydliad annibynnol, dielw, yn ymgorfforiad o’r ysbryd a’r egni hwn.”

“Mae dros 140 o bobl wedi darparu cynnwys i parallel.cymru, ac rwy’n ddiolchgar iddynt am gefnogi dull newydd a gwahanol o argraffu. Edrychaf ymlaen at gefnogi llawer iawn mwy o gyfranwyr i’r wefan, a hefyd i helpu nifer fawr o bobl i fwynhau ein hiaith brydferth mewn ffordd newydd a dyfeisgar.”

Meddai Garmon Gruffudd, Rheolwr Gyfarwyddwr, Y Lolfa: "Mae’n wych gweld sut mae Parallel.cymru wedi datblygu dros y misoedd diwethaf i fod yn wefan anhepgor i ddysgwyr ac yn ffynhonnell bwysig o wybodaeth a deunydd i bobl sydd am gadw bys ar byls Cymru. Mae wedi bod yn bleser cydweithio gyda Neil a’r criw, ac fel gwasg rydym yn gwerthfawrogi yn fawr eu bod yn cynnig llwyfan newydd, hawdd i’w gyrraedd, i drin a thrafod ein gwaith a rydym yn eu llongyfarch yn fawr ar gyrraedd y 100,000."

SÊL Y GWANWYN 

O’r 26ain o Chwefror tan yr 2il o Fawrth bydd gostygiad o 20% ar bob archeb ar wefan Y Lolfa. 

Ewch i www.ylolfa.com i fanteisio ar y cynnig yn awr. 

SPRING SALE 

There will be a discount of 20% on all orders placed on Y Lolfa’s website between the 26 ^th of February and the 2 ^nd of March.  

Visit www.ylolfa.com to take advantage of this offer now.

For those of you who know him, Carwyn Edwards is back in Wales with his family and doing better.  He spoke with Ceri this week to update us about his recovery and future plans, and it's great to hear his voice and hear how he's doing.

Those who don’t know him, Carwyn was a dedicated, energetic force in promoting Wales in the USA for more than ten years, as the publisher of News From Wales and the World , a newsletter that went out to 30,000+ subscribers.  He inspired us and many others to celebrate Wales and Welshness.  

When he was hospitalized and the seriousness of his condition was known, his family began working to bring him home to Wales and his brother started a gofundme campaign to pay the mountain of medical expenses not covered by Carwyn’s insurance.  They still have a way to go and if you are able to help, please have a look here and consider joining us in making a donation - https://www.gofundme.com/ Carwyn
...

AmeriCymru: Hi Tywysog Llywelyn and many thanks for agreeing to this interview. Care to tell us a little about the genealogical background to your claim and title?

Llywelyn: Hello Ceri, and thank you for the opportunity and for what you have done with AmeriCymru. I recognize the duality of national identity and ethnic identity. AmeriCymru has done wonderful things for Welsh-Americans and the preservation of Cymraeg in the United States.

Yes, I would be glad to expand on this for you. I wish more people would take notice of what I am doing with the titles rather than be so fascinated with them, but I do understand the curiosity surrounding them. My claim to the native incorporeal hereditaments of Wales is based on Welsh law, common law, and international laws. Because I was the first qualified person under Welsh law since Owain Glyndwr to claim the titles, and being that the Welsh law states that “the office itself is not divisible”; jurists around the world have recognized me as the de jure or “rightful” owner of the titles. This is also based on the common law principles of estoppel and laches. A party that attempts to claim the titles now is precluded or barred from doing so, because the titles are no longer in abeyance; they have already been claimed and redeemed. The legal principle of laches essentially states failure to assert one’s rights in a timely manner can result in a claim being barred by laches, or by sleeping on one’s rights you can lose your rights. According to the Welsh law it was the right of every Welshman to claim this position if it were ever left vacant so that Wales could always be free. This is a right granted by blood (jus sanguinis) so every Welshman in the world theoretically was a claimant prior to the titles being called out of abeyance. Chwarae teg.

When I first began this endeavor I attempted to locate who the rightful claimant could be. My plan was to lend them my understanding of Welsh and international laws pertaining to de jure sovereignty so that things could be made right in Wales. The search led me to Evan Vaughn, who is a descendent of the House of Aberffraw with a well documented pedigree. Mr. Vaughn was born in Wales, lives in Wales and speaks Welsh, which ideally made him the perfect candidate for people to rally behind. However, after researching him further I was gutted to discover that he stated in interviews he “had no interest” in claiming the titles, and his son had “even less interest” than he did. (Rogers, Byron, “Three Journeys”, “Cambria Magazine” (June 2011), p.30-31) I think most people wanted the next pretender prince to have been born in Wales and fluent in Welsh, as I myself did. However, in over 600 years no one had stepped forward to do what needed to be done and what needed to be done was quite clear to me. I cannot speculate as to why no one else took up this position to finish this fight, but I can tell you from my personal experience this position comes with a great deal of scrutiny and criticism. My whole life I have always been a leader. I’ve studied leadership in university. Whether it was in sports, martial arts, the military, or in my professional life, I have always played the role of the leader. Leaders have to be thick skinned and deal with constant criticism. You have to be able to intelligently defend the decisions you make for your organization, and be able to explain them. Leaders have a birds-eye view of the issues, and when they see a problem they fix it. After discovering the titles were in abeyance and I had a right to claim them I sought out to do so. Elected leaders aside, leaders in other natural circumstances don’t ask to be the leader; they naturally fall into the position. Welsh monarchy is not elective and there is nothing in the Welsh laws to suggest that if the titles were ever in abeyance a conclave should be held to determine who the heir should be. On the contrary the laws on the “edling” or heir are very clearly detailed.

There are a plethora of reasons the titles needed to be taken out of abeyance. Firstly to harness the international legal powers for Wales available to a government-in-exile. To take back the rightful place as a free, sovereign, and independent nation. According to Phillip Marshall Brown, an international lawyer as he is quoted as stating in the “American Journal of International Law”, “There is no automatic extinction of nations. Military occupation may seem final and permanent, and yet prove to be only an interregnum, though a prolonged nightmare for the inhabitants. A nation is much more than an outward form of territory and government. It consists of the men and women in whom sovereignty resides. So long as they cherish sovereignty in their hearts their nation is not dead. It may be prostrate and helpless and yet revive. It is not to be denied the symbols or forms of sovereignty on foreign soil or diplomatic relations with other nations”.

I also sought out to protect the titles from anyone who would attempt to use them for improper reasons, rather than their true noble purposes. In 2007 a man claimed the fons honorum (fount of honor) and kingship to the Isle of Mann and immediately attempted to exchange noble titles for donations to a charity of his choice (David of Mann, Foxnews) . I wanted to ensure Welsh titles and honors would be protected, respected, and reserved for individuals who demonstrate true noble and honorable characteristics, and contribute to Welsh culture and independence; not simply sold to the highest bidder.

Petition for name change: Tywysog Llywelyn Cymru

AmeriCymru: What can you tell us about recent legal developments in Japan?

Llywelyn: Well, there is not a court in the world that you can go to that can grant you a royal title or grant you sovereignty. However, courts can recognize facts in a case as a matter of law (international law). The jurist in the international arbitration in Tokyo recognized my possession of the incorporeal hereditaments as a fact in the matter, and a fact of law pertaining to Welsh, common, and international laws. Since my claim would preclude all other claims I was found to be the rightful owner of the incorporeal hereditaments and the powers that went with them.

These same legal facts were also presented and recognized in the United States Superior Court of California. In the petition for my name change my attorneys stated:

“…I have been found to have inherited incorporeal hereditaments and desire my name to reflect my new status.”

There is a widespread belief that in the United States citizens can change their names to just about anything they want, but there are several cases that have been denied on the assumption of a status or noble and royal titles. It is unlawful to change your name to one that could defraud another person.

Petition denied on the basis of a status:

"Courts similarly exhibit concern for members of the public in cases in which the names requested have the potential to confuse or mislead, even in the absence of nefarious intent. For example, in In re Thompson, the New York Superior Court denied a man's petition to change his name to Chief Piankhi Akinbaloye." (57 UCLA Law Review 313 (2009) pg. 313)

Petition denied on the basis of nobility:

"In re Jama, 272 N.Y.S.2d 677 (Civ. Ct. 1966). The petitioner wanted to add "von" before Jama, because his father had told him that “von Jama” was their family name. Id. at 677. The court also noted that it chose to deny the petition because many Germans with "von" in their name were nobles (though the decision does not say that "von" was in fact a title)." (57 UCLA Law Review 313 (2009) pg. 317)

My final ruling from the California court reads, “…It appears to the satisfaction of the court that all the allegations in the petition are true and sufficient and that the petition should be granted. The court orders the name of Lawrence Jones changed to Tywysog Llywelyn Jones Cymru (Prince Llywelyn Jones of Cymru)". It is safe to state that Judge Sim von Kalinowski, who granted the final ruling, concurred with the reason for my name change as the inheritance of royal titles and the change in legal status. Pretender princes, also known as claimants to occupied or usurped thrones are sovereign subjects of public international law.

Subjects of International Law can be described as “those persons or entities that possess international personality”. Ultimately my petition for name change was deemed lawful because I could not be fraudulently impersonating myself. I am who I say I am.

Although now I do have two court orders recognizing my titles, international recognition does not stem from these court orders but rather from countries that adhere to international laws on governments in exile.

AmeriCymru: You believe that Wales is owed billions in reparations by the English government. What specifically do you believe that Wales is owed for? Care to speculate as to the total amount?

Llywelyn: Yes I do. Even by medieval standards Wales did not surrender, meaning there was never debellatio; which would have then made it acceptable under the standards of the time to annex Wales. Since that time Wales has maintained a separate national identity, despite overwhelming attempts to assimilate the culture. The maintenance of that culture and separate national identity has preserved the right to independence. The doctrine of “stole it fair and square” is not an acceptable one. They can try to argue that England annexed Wales by acquiescence after the publishing of the “Laws in Wales Act” but there is overwhelming historical evidence that shows that was a result of direct use of force or threat of force. The doctrine of “might does not make right” has been widely upheld in the modern world. King George VI even stated, “might is right is a primitive notion”. I believe that Wales is owed for centuries of unlawful occupation and subjugation. Owed for the suspension of the operations of the native government, self-determination is the right of every free nation. The act of the suspension of that right by one nation to another, simply in self-interest should lead to sanctions. I believe that Wales is owed for resources that have been removed, and for resources that continue to be removed.

Pertaining to the monetary amount Wales would receive as reparations it would really depend on where the line is drawn for how far back reparations would go. That is something both parties would have to agree on. Even without reparations I feel Wales will be in better shape when she is finally paid a fair price for the water, power, and other exports that are sent to England. The amount of financial aid that England currently supplies to Wales is far eclipsed by the amount of resources that England has been taking at no cost up until now. If Wales was really dragging down their economy they would have freed her long ago.

AmeriCymru: Do you have a legal strategy for reclaiming this money?

Llywelyn: Yes I do have a plan I am following. By re-establishing the native government and quieting the claims of others with the litigation and judgments I have received; I have made it to where the other side cannot deny the current state of the situation any longer.

According to the jurist Oppenheim, once sovereignty is recognized it cannot be withdrawn. External sovereignty cannot be recognized with the initial recognition of the government representing the State, and once recognition of sovereignty is granted it “is incapable of withdrawal”. Now that there is recognition of the reestablishment of this position, reclaiming reparations would happen in mediations with the UK or through sanctions with the United Nations.

AmeriCymru: Do you believe that Wales should pursue full independence?

Llywelyn: Of course I do, I most passionately do. I think that independence is far more important than reparations. There is not a price you could put on what independence will bring. Self-determination is the right of any free government. To be denied that right and to have to ask an invading neighbor for permission to perform normal acts of state is wrong. While at the same time that neighbor is removing your resources, working to eliminate your culture, leaving thousands of you to live in poverty, and teaching a false history about Wales in your schools. Wales was not always a principality, it was not always subjugated. Wales achieving independence corrects the wrongs of the past. It changes the story of our culture from one of being occupied and illegally annexed to one of perseverance and unwavering faith in the face of overwhelming odds. It changes the meaning of all the Edwardian castles in Wales from symbols of English conquest to symbols of the Welsh identity, endurance and overcoming. Freedom and independence for Wales justifies all of the lives that were sacrificed fighting in the pursuit thereof.

There are far too many reasons to mention why Wales should urgently pursue independence; but if only for one reason alone then, that the people of Wales were all born free, free to self-govern and free to self determination. Free to be free from an invading neighbor.

My name's David Williamson and I write for Wales Online and the Western Mail.

As you can imagine, the US election has fascinated people in Wales.

I'd love to share the perspective of as many Welsh Americans as possible. 

If you would be kind enough to take the time to answer some questions I'd be very grateful. 

And if you might be able to send me a photo of yourself and your contact details that would be ideal. My email address is  david.williamson@mediawales.co.uk  

Thank you!

1. What is your name (and if possible your age)?  

2. Where is home and and what do you do for a living? 

3. What links do you have to Wales? How did you, or your family, come to be in the United States? 

4. If you have visited Wales, what is your favourite place?  

5. Do you have a favourite Welsh person? 

6. What does it means to be a Welsh-American today? 

7. What is your greatest hope and your greatest fear for the United States? 

8. How do you think a Trump presidency would change the US? Would you vote for him? 

9. How would Clinton change the country? Would you vote for her? 

10. Do Clinton's Welsh roots make you more likely to vote for her?

...

Archbald, PA: When Gina Lupini, Choral Director for the Valley View High School, was asked if she and her students would perform with a visiting Welsh Male Choir, she had no idea that her acceptance would result in an international odyssey of friendship and song.

In October of 2015, Côr Dathlu Cwmtawe, (The Swansea Valley Celebration Choir), came to the Lackawanna Valley, a place of historical significance to Wales and America, to sing and honor those who had come before in the 1830’s. Gina’s talented youngsters had earned a reputation of excellence and professionalism. Gina, was known to the choir for her Vivace choir performance for The Saint Francis Assisi Kitchen. This was an unforgettable event featuring The Catholic Choral Society, The Burlington Welsh Male Choir, and Gina’s Vivace. Their performance with the 60 voice Swansea choir directed by one of Wales’ most renowned conductors exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Our valley has an incredible choral heritage dating to the 1850’s. From its founding, the immigrants to the Lackawanna Valley have created a choral legacy of unsurpassed artistic standards that has reached far beyond our region. Our valleys sent five, 300 voice choirs to the Philadelphia Bicentennial of 1882. A choir composed of Lackawanna Valley singers surpassed the Mormon Tabernacle Choir at the 1893 World’s Fair choir competition. In the same contest, another Lackawanna choir came in third. The years 1891 and 1892 saw the Scranton Catholic Choir Association hold competitive music festivals featuring over 20 choirs, 25 singing societies and 65 soloists. More recognition came to Scranton in 1928 with a first place win at The Royal National Eisteddfod in Wales secured by the Scranton Anthracite Chorus.

Local newspapers covered almost every development in the 1928 adventure, both here and in Wales. The Johnson School, now The Johnson College of Technology, created a Welsh flag that flew on the ship’s mast while crossing the Atlantic and was presented to Wales at the competition.

Our valley has a special place in the hearts of the Welsh, especially Welsh choirs. It is our history and tradition that brings their choirs here. It was the upholding of that tradition of excellence by our young singers that drew the attention of Conway Morgan, the Celebration Choir’s director.

Now, The Côr Dathlu Cwmtawe Male Choir and Her Majesty’s Representative to the County of Powys (In the heart of the Swansea Valleys) have officially requested that our talented singers come to Wales to represent our valley in combined events with Côr Dathlu Cwmtawe and their Regional High School, Ysgol Bro Dynefwr in June of 2017.

The tour will be for two weeks with performances across South Wales at popular venues and with other award winning Welsh choirs. While the students are from Valley View High School, they will be representing the Lackawanna Valley as Voices of the Valley. Their school gave their blessing for the tour, but is not funding it. All funds must be raised through the generosity of the public. All funds raised will be used exclusively for student expenses. Fortunately, facilities in Wales have given significant discounts for the students and expenses will be much less than otherwise expected. There will be fund raising in Wales, as well.

Our young people are continuing our rich musical heritage and certainly deserve our help to make possible this International Odyssey of Friendship and Song.

You can help these young ambassadors by becoming a personal or business sponsor, and by sharing this opportunity to become a positive participant in a young person’s life. The official kick off for the fundraiser will be in September with concerts, car washes, and special events. In the interim, we are seeking major sponsors who would like to be visible throughout the campaign through March of 2017. For many of these young folk, this will be the adventure of a lifetime. Join the quest, make it happen.

We are excited that these young people are bringing together two nations, two generations, and our valley communities through friendship and song. This is a perfect example of the value of the arts in our schools.

Our youngsters are washing cars, hosting bake sales, and scheduling concerts to cover the $65K for their two week tour. All funds raised are specifically for the expenses of the choir.

Find your way to help these hardworking students. Please go to our website to donate directly at: gvgb.co/voicesofthevalley

Facebook page. VOTVWalesTour 2017

Contact us at: VOTVWalesTour2017@gmail.com

A Brief Account of Welsh Choral History of Northeastern PA.

As early as 1850, Carbondale was hosting literary and musical competitions. These competitions were a tradition brought to America by Welsh immigrants, and date from the 12 ^th century, Britain. The Welsh called the competition eisteddfod, and Carbondale’s was the first recorded in America.

These early events became the catalyst for NEPA creating a choral legacy beyond the Welsh community and unsurpassed in both artistic standards and numbers of participants. Important milestones in our regional musical history only hint at its depth and significance.

In 1875, West Scranton held competitions to raise funds for their library. A tent holding an audience of 6,000 was full to capacity for each of the 6 sessions. Special trains for the event were scheduled throughout the valley. Our valleys sent five, 300 voice choirs to the Philadelphia Bicentennial of 1882. The years 1891 and 1892 saw the Scranton Catholic Choir Association hold competitive music festivals featuring over 20 choirs, 25 singing societies and 65 soloists. The Cathedral Choir won the 1892 competition.

The 1893 Chicago World’s Fair choral competition listed two Scranton choirs, the 260 voice Scranton Choral Union and the 200 voice Cymmrodorion Choral Society. Their competitors would include the formidable Mormon Tabernacle Choir, also founded by Welsh immigrants. The Scranton Choral Union took the $5,000 first prize, the Utah choir second, and the Cymmrodorians, third. The returning champions were greeted by thousands of Scrantonians when their special flag and bunting festooned train arrived at Lackawanna Station.

Choral events continued into the next century with a 1902 Gymanfa Ganu , (A Welsh Hymn Sing) attended by 10,000 at the Scranton Armory.

International recognition came to Scranton in 1928 with a first place win at The Royal National Eisteddfod secured by the Scranton Anthracite Chorus. This chorus was formed the previous year specifically to prove the excellence of Scranton talent.

-----An extract from a pamphlet published 2007, written by Jerry Williams, Past President,

Saint David’s Society of Lackawanna County, PA------