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As you may have noticed we have turned the Cymraeg language file back on in an attempt to make the site bilingual. If anyone would like to assist us with that or suggest alternative translations or improvements please comment here or on my profile page.Diolch

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Fans celebrate Dylan Thomas at fall festival in Wales Source: sdnn.com
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Byn Walters sent this using ShareThis .

The Americymru International film Festival has been postponed till 2011 in order to allow more time for preparation and submissions. Final plans for this exciting event will be announced at next years Left Coast Eisteddfod in Portland, September 2010.

FFLUR DAFYDD WRITER IN RESIDENCE AT INTERNATIONAL WRITING PROGRAM, IOWA UNIVERSITY Fflur is currently writer in residence at Iowa University, where she will be researching her next English language novel, The Library, between September 3rd and October 12th, 2009. She is supported by the British Council and will also be taking part in a number of events see below: Schedule of Events for Fflur Dafydd (as of 8/20/2009:) Public Events in Iowa 9/9: Reading at Prairie Lights Books, 7:00 PM 15 South Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA USA 1-800-295-BOOK; http://www.prairielights.com/ 9/25: Panel Presentation at the Iowa City Public Library, 12:00 PM Meeting Room A, 123 South Linn Street, Iowa City, IA USA (319) 356-5200; http://www.icpl.org/ Panel Topic: Translation/Writing Between Languages Description: In what ways has translating, or writing across more than one language, been important to your literary thinking and/or to your creative process? Other panelists: Vicente Groyon (Philippines), Soheil Najm (Iraq), Lijia Zhang (China) NB: other events are forthcoming and may include one or more musical performances by Fflur at one of several venues in downtown Iowa City. Academic Presentations/Classroom Visits in Iowa (NB: Classroom visits are NOT open to the public) 9/21 International Literature Today. Fflur Dafydd will speak for 15-20 minutes to students enrolled in this undergraduate literature course. Special Seminar in Creative Writing Fflur Dafydd will teach a special creative writing seminar to undergraduates at the University of Iowa. This four-week course will meet from 2:30-4:30 PM on 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, and 10/2. Students will gather in a seminar room at the Writers House at 111 Church Street, a unique campus space dedicated to fostering writing, artistic collaboration, and literary performance at the University of Iowa. Activities in Portland, Oregon, 10/3-10/9 (Includes public events and classroom visits) Fflur Dafydd will join four other IWP writers in Portland, Oregon for several days of readings, talks, and other professional programming. Barry Sanders (west-coast-based author, Senior Fulbright Scholar, two-time Pulitzer Prize nominee, and English professor) is hosting this series of literary events, in collaboration with colleagues at the Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland State University, Oregon Council for the Humanities, and other local partners. This will be the first IWP delegation to take part in such a dynamic slate of activities in the city. The precise programme in Portland is still TBD, but will include some or all of the following activities: An opening reception at Pacific Northwest College of Art, a fine arts college located in the city of Portland. http://www.pnca.edu/ . Visits to classes at PNCA and the opportunity to participate in a group reading in the Commons, a large open art-space in the heart of campus: http://www.pnca.edu/studentlife/facilities/commons.php An informal roundtable discussion at Portland State University, sponsored by the creative writing department and the English department on the topic of politics and writing. Trips to see the countryside of the Pacific Northwest--the Gorge, the falls, the many rivers, etc. Read more HERE

Really Welsh Coffee!! The Secrets Out . "So how is coffee thats sourced in Africa & South America, by third generation Italians, actually Welsh we hear you ask. Well, as we said, the beans are first chosen individually for their resemblance to rugby balls(slight exaggeration but bear with us) by highly trained bean spotters, who we feed only on leeks and laver bread. Coffee beans from Pure Estates are selected and they make their transatlantic journey in welsh wool sacks, while we play Max Boyce records over and over into the cargo hold. By the time we get them, they can virtually sing Cwm Rhondda Once on Welsh soil, our beans bach undergo a further selection, (not everyone makes the squad on a tour) then we roast them here, grind them up to release all that lovely flavour and blend the results carefully to achieve a balanced taste and bouquet." Read more HERE

Niall Griffiths and Chris Keil Reading at The Left Coast Eisteddfod Read our Interviews with Niall and Chris here:- Niall Griffiths Chris Keil Niall Griffiths at Mt St. Helens "The volcano is right over there.....honest!"

September 20, 2009 at 7:24 am -September 19, 2009Welsh scholar to speak at WVU Tech about shared mining historyWest Virginia's mining history owes a debt to the knowledge and skills of Welsh coal miners, according to a professor who has been instrumental in starting a history lecture series at West Virginia University Institute of Technology.By Susan WilliamsStaff writerAdvertiserMONTGOMERY, W.Va. --West Virginia's mining history owes a debt to the knowledge and skills of Welsh coal miners, according to a professor who has been instrumental in starting a history lecture series at West Virginia University Institute of Technology.Thursday evening a noted Welsh historian will talk about those contributions, particularly through the eyes of one Welsh miner who later became a writer.Bill Jones, who earned his doctorate in Wales, is also co-director of the Cardiff Centre for Welsh American Studies. In his lecture that begins at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Tech Center Ballroom, Jones will talk about the history of the South Wales coalfields, particularly as seen through the eyes of B.L. Coombes.Coombes, who died in 1974, wrote several books including "These Poor Hands: The Autobiography of a South Wales Miner." After its publication in 1939, Coombes gained an international reputation. In his writings, Coombes gives readers special insight into the underground world of the miner.Jones titled his lecture "With Dust in His Throat: Miner-Writer B.L. Coombes (1893-1974) and the History of Coal Mining in South Wales." South Wales is one of the most intensively mined areas in the world.Paul Rakes, an associate professor of history at Tech, said he and other planners at the college wanted to honor the late Otis K. Rice by naming the lecture series for him. Rice taught history at Tech and published many books including several on West Virginia history that are still widely used.Rakes, who started his work life as a coal miner, said Jones plans to give a brief overview of the history of coal mining in South Wales, then focus on Coombes' life and work.Rakes said Jones would show the many ways that Coombes' understated yet compelling voice emerged out of the mines of South Wales. Coombes also can be seen as one who speaks for the experiences of coal miners and mining communities everywhere, Rakes said.When he learned Jones would be traveling in the United States, Rakes contacted him. Rakes said Jones was happy to come to Tech, not only to point out the similarities between mining in West Virginia and Wales, but for a chance to walk in the mountains."He loves to walk in the mountains," Rakes said.Tech Provost Scott Hurst wants to make this first lecture "the kickoff for an annual event," Rakes said. Hurst has wanted to establish a series for some time, Rakes said, so Jones' visit to America gave them the opportunity to start the series.Jones has written many books and taught in several schools. He is currently the reader in Welsh history at the School of History and Archaeology at Cardiff University. He has also served as curator of the coal mining collection at the National Museum of Wales. In addition to writing, teaching and lecturing, Jones has also made several television documentaries about Welsh history.Rakes said he hopes people who attend the lecture will come away "with a greater appreciation of the similarities between the mining experience here and in Wales. Mining also influences an individual's thinking and changes the way one sees the world."The lecture is free and open to the public. Montgomery is east of Charleston on WVa. 61. The Tech Center Ballroom is near Old Main on campus.MONTGOMERY, W.Va. --West Virginia's mining history owes a debt to the knowledge and skills of Welsh coal miners, according to a professor who has been instrumental in starting a history lecture series at West Virginia University Institute of Technology.Thursday evening a noted Welsh historian will talk about those contributions, particularly through the eyes of one Welsh miner who later became a writer.Bill Jones, who earned his doctorate in Wales, is also co-director of the Cardiff Centre for Welsh American Studies. In his lecture that begins at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Tech Center Ballroom, Jones will talk about the history of the South Wales coalfields, particularly as seen through the eyes of B.L. Coombes.Coombes, who died in 1974, wrote several books including "These Poor Hands: The Autobiography of a South Wales Miner." After its publication in 1939, Coombes gained an international reputation. In his writings, Coombes gives readers special insight into the underground world of the miner.Jones titled his lecture "With Dust in His Throat: Miner-Writer B.L. Coombes (1893-1974) and the History of Coal Mining in South Wales." South Wales is one of the most intensively mined areas in the world.Paul Rakes, an associate professor of history at Tech, said he and other planners at the college wanted to honor the late Otis K. Rice by naming the lecture series for him. Rice taught history at Tech and published many books including several on West Virginia history that are still widely used.Rakes, who started his work life as a coal miner, said Jones plans to give a brief overview of the history of coal mining in South Wales, then focus on Coombes' life and work.Rakes said Jones would show the many ways that Coombes' understated yet compelling voice emerged out of the mines of South Wales. Coombes also can be seen as one who speaks for the experiences of coal miners and mining communities everywhere, Rakes said.When he learned Jones would be traveling in the United States, Rakes contacted him. Rakes said Jones was happy to come to Tech, not only to point out the similarities between mining in West Virginia and Wales, but for a chance to walk in the mountains."He loves to walk in the mountains," Rakes said.Tech Provost Scott Hurst wants to make this first lecture "the kickoff for an annual event," Rakes said. Hurst has wanted to establish a series for some time, Rakes said, so Jones' visit to America gave them the opportunity to start the series.Jones has written many books and taught in several schools. He is currently the reader in Welsh history at the School of History and Archaeology at Cardiff University. He has also served as curator of the coal mining collection at the National Museum of Wales. In addition to writing, teaching and lecturing, Jones has also made several television documentaries about Welsh history.Rakes said he hopes people who attend the lecture will come away "with a greater appreciation of the similarities between the mining experience here and in Wales. Mining also influences an individual's thinking and changes the way one sees the world."The lecture is free and open to the public. Montgomery is east of Charleston on WVa. 61. The Tech Center Ballroom is near Old Main on campus.AddThis

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Adjudication by John Good Cadwyn ywr isdeitl ar Hanes a chadwyn ydy hi, gydar dolenni (cysylltiau) rhwng y geiriau, yn dibynnu ar ba eiriau yr ydych chin dewis eu clymu'i gilydd, yn newid yr ystyr(on). Yr oeddwn yn awgrymu cyfieithiadau am y rhestr, ond maen lan i chi wneud y gwahanol gadwyni! A Chain is the subtitle of this poem and thats what it is. With the links (connections) between the words, depending on which words you choose to tie together, changing the meaning(s). I have suggested translations for the list but its up to you to make the different chains! Hanes (gan Elizabeth Barrette ) a chain poem had (seed)hoedl (life)haf (summer)hamdden (recreation)hedd (peace)haddef (home (to confess?))her (challenge)helbul (turmoil)hin (weather)hyder (confidence)haul (sun)hyfrydwch (delight)hil (race/lineage)hydref (Autumn/Fall/October)hewl (road/way)hiraeth (longing/homesickness)henc (limp)hebryngydd (conductor/conveyor)heth (severe cold weather)hanesydd (historian) Congratulations/Llongyfarchion to Elizabeth Barrette and honorable mentions to Tam Ryan and Johnny Jones .

"I am killing myself because I have never sincerely loved any human being all my life. I have accepted kindness and friendship, and even love, without gratitude and given nothing in return." Cardiff Times 13th January 1934

So read the suicide note found on Dorothy Edwards' body after her tragic death in January 1934.

This fine collection of short stories amply demonstrates why, had she lived longer, she might have been hailed as the Welsh Chekhov. Each one is a finely crafted gem although none of them could count as cheery companions for a vacation trip. Many of her characters demonstrate the same eerie and unsettling sense of detachment from their own lives which is evident in the suicide note quoted above. They are frequently consumed with a passion for music which seems to act as a surrogate for genuine emotional attachments. Their enthusiasm for the "life of the mind" seems to preclude and eclipse meaningful human relationships.

It was fashionable in the early 70's to evaluate artists and authors in terms of psychological diagnostic categories and many including Sylvia Plath and even Dylan Thomas were labeled as 'schizoid' by literary critics of that era.. However flawed such critical practices may be the label does seem to throw some light on both Dorothy Edwards and many of her characters.

In the first of these tales, the eponymously titled "Rhapsody" George Everett is introduced in the following terms:- "His face wore a curious expression, as if he were listening all the time to something intensely illuminating but scarcely audible, or as if he were experiencing some almost intolerably sweet emotion, and he seemed to be imploring you 'Please don't interrupt me for a moment; it will soon be over.' Later in the book after his wife's death his reaction to this tragic event is characterized thus:- " Everett behaved at her death very much as he had behaved when she was ill. He was vaguely sorry for her, but he did not altogether understand what was expected of him."

This collection, which includes three stories not published or excluded from the original 1927 edition, abounds with characters who are similarly emotionally crippled or repressed.

As Christopher Meredith says in his excellent introduction to this Parthian/Library of Wales edition:- " Fashion for re-readings according to various theories have helped critics to rediscover her from time to time, but I believe that Dorothy Edwards is a great deal more than an interesting literary case. She's an important, utterly original modernist. Whichever way you read her, she's the extraordinarily accomplished author of powerful and suggestive fictions."

In echoing these sentiments I can only add that as an avid fan of the short story genre these must rank amongst the finest I have read in many years.
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For the morbidly curious the approximate site of her tragic death can be viewed in the Google Map linked below. Railway Terrace and the "Allotments" ( Community Gardens ) referred to in the "Cardiff Times" article linked above are still there. To the best of my knowledge there is no plaque to mark the spot. Perhaps there should be?

Google Map