Catalonia – reading on Catrin Glyndŵr
Looking forward to reading once again in Barcelona - reading a cycle of poems on Catrin Glyndŵr, the last Princess of Wales who was captured along with her children in the Tower of London. Readings with my Catalan translator Silvia Aymerich-Lemos, from the dual text...
Senedd launch – ‘Let the World’s People Sing’
It was wonderful to launch officially last night 'Let the World's People Sing' a volume of poetry in Welsh, Arabic and English. With one of two translators of the poems, Rawan Sukkar, also present. It was a pleasure to hear also young women, as part of the event,...
Launch readings of ‘Parch’
Happy to share with you details of my forthcoming series of readings to launch ‘Parch’, Bloodaxe Books, in the next few weeks. For full details go to - Launch Readings 'Parch'.
Launch reading with Menna Elfyn, Selima Hill & Kit Wright
Join Bloodaxe for this launch event for new October titles by Menna Elfyn, Selima Hill and Kit Wright. Menna Elfyn and Kit Wright will read live and discuss their new collections with the host, Bloodaxe editor Neil Astley, with Selima Hill contributing audio...
Dafydd El the ‘Cywiriadwr’
I was saddened but proud to be present at the funeral of Lord Dafydd Elis Thomas - one who was a friend of mine (and the family), a poet's protector at times to sing differently from the tradition - a passionate politician, a smart writer. He was a great man of our...
Reading with Simon Armitage, Poet Laurete
Delighted to have read alongside Simon Armitage at the staff library, Morriston hospital staff library, last week. What a wonderful celebration it was – I cannot think of a place more in touch with ‘words’. Beating heart of poetry is also the beating heart of the NHS...
‘The Boy and the Wall’ picture book
Support Palestinian children: ‘The Boy and the Wall’ charity picture book now available “The wonderful work was brought to my attention during my period as Children’s Poet Laureate for Wales. I was in contact with the centre and aware of the inspiring projects they...
‘Trugaredd sy’n gwybod’
First published in a fortnightly column in the Western Mail, 5 December 2024. ‘Trugaredd sy’n gwybod’ oedd un o ddywediadau ein teulu ni pan oeddwn yn blentyn. Fel arfer fe’i ddywedwyd pan oeddwn yn cam ymddwyn am rywbeth neu gilydd. Cofio meddwl o’i ddweud fy...
Islwyn Ffowc Elis
First published in a fortnightly column in the Western Mail, 21 November 2024. Gan ei bod hi’n ganmlwyddiant geni Islwyn Ffowc Elis eleni, mor braf yw ei gofio. A chofio a wnaf i Islwyn ddod i siarad â ni yn y chweched dosbarth yn Ysgol Ramadeg ( y Frenhines...
Waldo Williams: poet of the ‘immense minority’
It was a pleasure (if bittersweet because of the ongoing war) to deliver the annual Waldo Williams lecture at Aberystwyth University last Friday. 120 years has passed since the birth of Waldo Williams, magnificent poet and pacifist. His work is as precious and...
Fy Enw i yw Rachel Corrie (16 – 19 October 2024)
This autumn, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru will present a package of work to raise awareness of the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza and to forge new creative connections between young people in Wales and Palestine – with a new Welsh-language translation of the play My...
What is peace?
First published in a fortnightly column in the Western Mail, 12 September 2024. ‘Ti’n gwybod lot o eiriau a ti’n eu cofio nhw i gyd’ medd fy wyres un noson ar ôl gorfod dod i wrando arnaf yn darllen barddoniaeth yn rhywle. Wrth gwrs cofio geiriau yw rhagamod a hanfod...
‘The Rowan’ to Ilhan Sami Comak
‘The Rowan’ a poem for Ilhan Sami Comak, the Kurdish award winning poet who has been in prison in Turkey for 30 years. https://youtu.be/Rxnt-c1Rjw8?si=O-GE_uugux2tSw8E
Every season is the same in prison
First published in a fortnightly column in the Western Mail, 29 Awst 2024. Mae’n ddiwedd haf. Ac yn dechrau teimlo’n hydrefol eto. Ond i un cyfaill i mi, bardd o’r enw Ilhan Sami Comak, mae pob tymor yr un fath – achos bu yn y carchar yn Nhwrci am 30 mlynedd. Yn...
Waldo Lecture 2024
Full recorded lecture can be viewed here: Darlith Waldo