Swansea University presence at the National Eisteddfod of Wales
As the National Eisteddfod visited Rhondda Cynon Taf last August, a very special week was held in Pontypridd’s Ynys Angharad Park, and once again this year, Swansea University sponsored the Babell Lên (Literary Pavilion) drawing in the crowds for all the various events.
Swansea University's first session of the week was led by writer Jon Gower who had the company of actress Betsan Llwyd, broadcaster and commentator Alun Wyn Bevan, playwright and writer Geraint Lewis and Siôn Eirian's brother Guto Davies, as they reminisced about the playwright, poet and writer Siôn Eirian, who died in 2020. Tuesday's session was dedicated to one of the giants of Rhondda Cynon Taf, the late Professor Brynley Roberts, expertly hosted by Robert Rhys, who is a Swansea University Honorary Research Fellow, Gwerfyl Pierce Jones, former Principal Executive of the Welsh Book Council, and Rhidian Griffiths from the National Library. They celebrated Brynley's immense contribution and tireless work to the language, literature and culture of Wales.
Wednesday saw a session which brought together science and literature with Dr Rhian Meara, Senior Lecturer in Geography at Swansea University and author Manon Steffan Ros, looking at the human and social effects following an unexpected eruption near a town on Heimaey Island, through research and creative writing. To conclude the University's sessions in the Babell Lên, Dr Hannah Sams from the University's Welsh Department, chatted with the actor and writer Andrew Teilo about his creative career.
The highlight of the University's events during the week of the National Eisteddfod is the Hywel Teifi Edwards Memorial Lecture and this year was no different. The Babell Lên was packed as Professor Daniel Williams from Swansea University's Department of English delivered a lecture by the title 'From Rhondda to Canaan: J. Gwyn Griffiths, Gwyn Thomas and Exodus'. There was a great response to the lecture which was followed by a special Reception held for staff and friends of Swansea University. It was a pleasure to welcome old and new faces including many alumni.
In addition to what was arranged by the University, several of our staff were invited to take part in other events during the week. Dr Non V Williams, Senior Lecturer in Media was invited to give a lecture arranged by the Welsh Hymn Society celebrating 75 years of the Welsh radio programme Caniadaeth y Cysegr. Another Senior Lecturer from the Media Department chaired an event organised by RTS Wales discussing Rhosyn a Rhith, which was filmed in the area, followed by a screening of the film itself.
In Pontypridd Museum, Dr Gethin Matthews from Swansea University's History Department, hosted an event called 'No more names!' during which, war memorials were used to inspire pupils from six local schools to write creative tributes. Back on the Eisteddfod field, Professor Siwan Davies, Head of the School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics, was also invited to deliver the Edward Llwyd Society lecture and her subject was 'The climate crisis: It's time to wake up'.
The Rhondda Cynon Taf National Eisteddfod Science and Technology Medal was presented to none other than a Swansea University alumnus. Dr Rhodri Jones, who is also an Honorary Fellow of the University, received the medal for his specialist work at CERN, Geneva, with the Large Hadron Collider. Learn Welsh Swansea Bay Region, which is based at Swansea University, also proved successful at the Eisteddfod with Elinor Staniforth, one of the Welsh tutors, reaching the final round of Learner of the Year competition, and the Learn Welsh Choir came 3rd in the Welsh Learners' Choir competition.
As part of this year's Gorsedd Cymru honours, two Swansea University alumni were honoured as well as an Honorary Fellows. Catrin Rowlands graduated from the Department of Welsh and completed a master's degree in translation at Swansea University and is now a Welsh teacher at Ysgol Llanhari. Catrin was extremely involved with the Eisteddfod committees in preparation for this year's festival visiting Rhondda Cynon Taf. Professor Jane Aaron, a former student of the English Department also received the green robes for her contribution as an educator, literary researcher, and author. Receiving the blue robes of Gorsedd Cymru was Carol Bell, an Honorary Fellow of Swansea University. Born in Felindre, her expertise lies in energy, money and business and she is heavily involved with Welsh organisations and charities such as Amgueddfa Cymru and the Millennium Centre.
What a memorable Eisteddfod for Swansea University!
If you would like to see more, here is a link to a photo album of the week https://flic.kr/p/2q93aWQ
Swansea University Events in 2024
Among the events organised by the University at Y Babell Lên were:
Remembering Siôn Eirian. Taran ei Theatr ni Thewir | Monday 5 August, 12.30pm
Jon Gower, Betsan Powys, Alun Wyn Bevan, Geraint Lewis and Guto Davies remember the playwright, poet, and author Siôn Eirian, who passed away in 2020.
Ar Drywydd Brynley Roberts. Aberdâr, Abertawe, ac Aberystwyth | Tuesday 6 August, 12.30pm
Robert Rhys, Gwerfyl Pierce Jones, and Rhidian Griffiths discuss the tremendous contribution of Brynley Roberts to Welsh culture as one of the leading scholars of his generation.
Hiraethu am Heimaey: Colli cymunedau, iaith a thraddodiadau yng Ngwlad yr Iâ | Wednesday 7 August, 12.30pm
Dr Rhian Meara from the Geography Department and award-winning author Manon Steffan Ros examine the human and social effects following an unexpected eruption near the town on Heimaey Island, through research and creative writing.
Hywel Teifi Memorial Lecture – Professor Daniel G. Williams | Thursday 8 August, 11.30am
Professor Daniel G. Williams, Director of the Richard Burton Centre for Welsh Studies at Swansea University, delivers the annual lecture in memory of Professor Hywel Teifi. The lecture topic will be 'From the Rhondda to Canaan. J Gwyn Griffiths, Gwyn Thomas, and Exodus'.
Following the lecture, a reception will be held in the Lido Ponty Conference Room for alumni, staff, and friends of Swansea University, with light refreshments provided.
Pobol a Phryfed | Friday 9 August, 12.30pm
Actor and author Andrew Teilo, best known for playing the character Hywel Llywelyn in Pobol y Cwm, discusses his career with Dr Hannah Sams from the Department of Welsh, and his experience writing his collection of short stories Pryfed Undydd, following his time studying on the MA Creative Writing course at Swansea University.
