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A quick reminder that there is just over one day to go before the deadline for submissions for the Left Coast Eisteddfod Poetry, Short Story, Image and Video competitions. If you are planning to submit please do so in the twenty four hours. Here are the competition submission pages for anyone who wants to browse the current entries:-

Poetry

Short Story

Image

Video

We have included links to the main competition pages below. The rules can be found on these pages. A link on the competition pages will open a discussion page where you can post your entries.The organizers are pleased to note that the quality and quantity of submissions has increased this year and we would like to take this opportunity to wish all our current contestants and anyone considering submitting the very best of luck.

Diolch

Left Coast Eisteddfod Organizing Committee

AmeriCymru has been invited to circulate copies of 'Aged To Perfection' at NAFOW and Wordstock by Age Cymru. Age Cymru is the largest charity working for older people in Wales and it organiszes the annual Gwanwyn Festival which offers opportunities for greater participation by older people in the arts. Age Cymru describe the publication in the following terms:-

'This book is different from other books in two ways. Firstly writing can be a solitary pastime, however, this book enlisted the help of writing groups from all over Wales and the results illustrate the benefit to writers of sharing, nurture and support from their peers. We ignore the social isolation of older people at our peril.

Secondly it is intended that this book travels as far afield as possible, you will see the pass it on logo throughout the book. Please enjoy this book and pass it on to your friends so that as many people as possible can enjoy its contents. The book has its own Twitter page and we'd love you to Tweet us or email us with details of where you found it and what you thought. We'll be charting the books progress on the Gwanwyn website. '

We presented a copy to Tom Owen, President of the Welsh Society of Portland ( see pic below ). Tom said:-

'Alexander Solzhenitsyn in his Nobel address said that " literature is how a country talks to itself". What we have here is a way for an age demographic to talk to itself. Not that any of us are getting any older of course This is a good way to share the experience.'

Each of the books is numbered and Tom's copy is number 1023. Tom promised to pass his copy on when he has finished with it and for our part we will be sure to Tweet and blog each time we present someone with a copy of the book. Check back in the coming weeks for further reports.

In closing we should mention that if you are not lucky enought to come across a 'hard' copy of 'Aged To Perfection' all the stories in the book can be read on the Gwanwyn website here:- 'Aged To Perfection'

"Smoke hangs like haze over harvested fields,
The gold of stubble, the brown of turned earth
And you walk under the red light of fall
The scent of fallen apples, the dust of threshed grain
The sharp, gentle chill of fall.
Here as we move into the shadows of autumn
The night that brings the morning of spring."

Ceri and I have been having a great time meeting people, seeing people and selling books by Welsh authors at NAFOW. A lot of people want books and it's been great fun talking about them.

Today the Great Plains Welsh Heritage Project table was absolutely surrounded by Rhys Bowen fans crowding in to get her to sign a pile of her books provided by local Portland mystery book store, Murder By The Book . Despite being right across from them, I couldn't see her at all, there were so many people.

Authors Lyn and Sharon Clarke also brought books to sell and Lyn was very generous and gave Ceri and I a copy of Gringo Revolutionary , the hard-to-find biography of Caryl ap Rhys, who invaded Tijuana flying the red flag during the Mexican Revolution, a very interesting guy and I'm sure a very interesting story. Thank you again, Lyn, we deeply appreciate it!

Last year's David Western Lovespoon winner Howard Evans very kindly and generously brought the 2009 spoon to NAFOW with him from Montana to show it off and help sell a lot of tickets for this year's spoon drawing. Good luck to everyone, David is doing this year's spoon with artist Laura Jenkins-Gorun and it is completely amazing!

It's the second day of the 2010 North American Festival of Wales and Ceri and I are sitting at the AmeriCymru table in the Welsh Marketplace. They've set up a tea room with never-ending hot tea and bakestones or Welsh cakes and I've drafted my oldest son to help out there, working being good for the development of teen character.Last night harpist Bronn Journey and soprano Katherine Journey gave a concert in the evening, following the opening ceremonies. Today there are Welsh language seminars, film showings and other events - see the NAFOW calendar for their schedule.Our table is across from the Great Plains Welsh Heritage Project , in Wymore, Nebraska, which operates the Great Plains Welsh Heritage Centre , an interpretive center of the history of Welsh communities in the midwest with film room, exhibits, a Welsh garden and a complete collection of Y Drych, the American Welsh language newspaper published since the 1800s and is the oldest ethnic newspaper in the United States.In addition to memberships and translations of Y Drych, today they're selling copies of the second edition of Hanes Cymru America . The author, Rev. R. D. Thomas, visited and chronicled US Welsh communities in 1872, recording their locations, the names of their inhabitants, descriptions of their communities. This edition was translated to English by Martha and Phillips Davies and is an amazing resource for anyone doing research on Welsh history in the USA. Author Peter Griffiths brought copies of his novel, Tongue Tied , and spent the day at his table meeting and talking to people in the market with his wife, Yvonne.Peter's interview with AmeriCymru can be found here . Painter Gwenllian Baldock is exhibiting and selling absolutely gorgeous gutta paintings on silk and some smaller pieces on silk scarves and prints.Tonight is the Cr Godre'r Aran concert and more tomorrow.

I'm lying here in my bed for the fifth day in a semi-depressive state, with gout in both feet, not knowing where to turn. Building should begin on the pub any time, the owners have informed me that the insurers have given the green light to get on with it and that all work completed will be reimbursed, yes, that's right, I don't own the pub, I just run the business, pay the State insurances and taxes. I am not directly involved with the main insurance, but I did get a slight recompense for my mementoes, which included watercolours & oils that had no meaning for them, and many items that were purely personal. I was badly insured, it didn't cover everything on the list, which wasn't big because of the small size of the bar; on top of which I wasn't covered for loss of earnings. Being self-employed I don't qualify for dole, and am still paying social security, etc. based on last year's earnings, small compensation is that if I can get through this year, I won't have anything to pay next year. Because I'm diabetic I took advantage of the pub closure to walk around the countryside, then I began using my mobile phone to take photos, inspired, and not wanting to sit at home moping, I used my contents insurance to invest in my photos (and to eat) e.g. two tents to cover them from the wind & rain that got blown into the lake in Huelgoat and broke up; my little Peugeot 205 was too small, so I went to the local garage for their cheapest car that could hold everything; also, a little printer; little digital camera; small computer; ink & paper etc.,etc. It hasn't worked out, the weather didn't help, e.g. I went down to the music & dance festival last weekend at Rostrenen and ended up selling 2 photos to the flautist Jean-Michel Veillon who then put me on to his guests' list so I got to see the concerts. I am already overdrawn so that means that my standing orders will not be paid this month, including the insurance for my new, old second hand car, meaning that I can't sell the Peugeot nor the photos. The Mayor of Carhaix has offered me the use of the largest theatre in the area, and tens, if not hundreds of musicians have offered me their services free, this is now urgent but I need someone to take it in hand. If work begins on the pub straight away it won't be finished before February or March, and by then I could be bankrupt. Seventeen people have already made an effort but I'm afraid that I don't have enough to keep my head above water for another 6 months. What I was thinking was that when the bar opens again, because all this is being noted, I could give free meals, or days, or weeks, depending on the individual amounts advanced, or just straight-forward re-imbursements on loans. It is now urgent! Byn Walters, Tavarn Ty Elise, 29690 Plouye; or Paypal: bynwalters@libertysurf.fr

I'm depending on you, not all of you obviously, some of you are in just as bad a state as myself, but I've just got to hold on for another 6 months, and then hopefully next summer I'll be able to more than make up for this year; big bearded Harley-Davidson Hell's Angels types have been seen to break down, when after knocking on the door they've realized that it's just an empty shell.

BUY TICKETS HERE


The Event


5.00 pm - 7.00 pm Showing of S4C production 'Other World' ( Y Mabinogi ) 2002 ( 1hr 44mins )

"On his eighteenth birthday, Lleu's world is shaken by the news that he is adopted. On the same day, his friend Rhiannon thinks that she may be pregnant, and Dan, who lives in his big brother's shadow, is as scatty as ever.

They all put their problems aside for the day when they come together to celebrate Lleu's birthday. Venturing on a boat trip along the coast they suddenly see a change in the water. They realise that, on May Eve, they have found the golden doorway to the Otherworld, which can be seen shining deep beneath the waters.

Being an independent and stubborn girl, Rhiannon doesn't think twice before plunging into the sea, and the other two are not far behind. As they swim deeper and deeper and get closer and closer to the golden gate, they are transported many centuries ago to the incredible world of the Mabinogi."..... more

"The musical score is arranged by John Cale , formerly of the Velvet Underground, in conjunction with the National Orchestra of Wales.

Ioan Gruffudd (Hornblower, The Forsyte Saga), Matthew Rhys (The Graduate stage adaptation), Jenny Livsey, Daniel Evans, Phillip Madoc, Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill) and Paul McGann (Withnail and I) are just some of the famous names who have contributed to the film."..... more

7.00 -7.30 pm Readings by Featured Authors at the Wordstock Festival

Niall Griffiths , Harrison Solow , Chris Keil , Peter Griffiths

World Premier Niall Griffiths will be reading for the first time from his forthcoming book in the 'New Stories From The Mabinogion' series. Niall was commissioned by Seren ( one of Wales' leading publishing houses ) to write a modern adaptation of two tales from the ancient text:- 'The Dream of Macsen Wledig' and 'The Dream of Rhonabwy'. The resulting title 'The Dreams of Max And Ronnie' will be published in mid October. Advance signed copies will be available for purchase at the event together with other titles from the series. The project is introduced in the following terms on the Seren website:-

"In this series commissioned by Seren, the old tales are at the heart of the new. Each author reinvents a story in their own way: creating fresh, contemporary tales that speak to us as much of our own world as of events long gone."

9.20 -11.00 pm Left Coast Eisteddfod 'Live' Narrative Competition

A live narrative competition for which we will be looking to recruit 10 contestants. There will be no restrictions on narrative style or content although competitiors must tell a story of some kind. Each contestant will have 8 minutes at the mic and there will be a first prize of $250 and a second prize of $100. There will be no registration fee although all competitiors will be required to pay the standard $6 dollar admission fee. You need not be a member of Americymru to attend or compete. If you wish to compete please email americymru@gmail.com to arrange.

7.30 -9.10 pm Left Coast Eisteddfod 'Live' Poetry Competition

A live poetry competition for which we will be looking to recruit 10 contestants. There will be no restrictions on narrative style or content although competitiors must tell a story of some kind. Each contestant will have 8 minutes at the mic and there will be a first prize of $250 and a second prize of $100. There will be no registration fee although all competitiors will be required to pay the standard $6 dollar admission fee. You need not be a member of Americymru to attend or compete. If you wish to compete please email americymru@gmail.com to arrange.

11.00 -12.00 pm Halley Weaver Portland's very own 'Zero Emissions Harpist'

...will be performing selections from The Mabinogion Suite and other works.

The Venue

Attached is the flier made up by Tom Owen ( Welsh Society of Portland ), highlighting the musical events of interest to the general public at the North American Fesitval of Wales [NAFOW], in Portland. Please circulate as widely as you can, to help promote the wonderful Welsh festival happening this week! For those not in the right time zone to actually join with us this week, I thought you might appreciate knowing about the event anyway.

NAFOW Music.pdf

I had to look up directions to a place where I'll be meeting a friend this week and found that it's very close to the MI6 building in London which is marked on the London streetmap as "Secret Intelligence Service", rather defeating the purpose one would have thought, except that the building is well-known throughout the world since being featured in a Bond film.

I looked up both MI6 and MI5 on the web (they both have easily-accessible websites) and was rather impressed that amongst the 6 or 7 alternative languages MI5 provides on its site, Welsh is one. MI6 does not do us that courtesy.

We'll know we've arrived when we have a Welsh-speaking Bond villain.

Gaynor

The Choir for the NAFOW Grand Concert, Cor Godrer Aran, has some very good soloists, and some of these have agreed to compete in in a special solo voice competition, Fri, Sept. 3, at 2 or 2:30 pm. There will be about 6 competitors and it will last about an hour. The winner will receive the NAFOW trophy award.This promises to be an outstanding competition. Entry into the event iis free! This will be at th aDoubletree-Lloyd Center in Portland, Oregon.