A series of short posts highlighting recent cultural and bookish chatter from Wales
This is the second post of D24 in which we look at literary and other cultural goings-on (Welsh speakers may prefer sgwrsio llenyddol Cymraeg) from the land of poetry and song.
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Are You a Cwlture Vwlture?
For those of you with an ear for a tune and a liking for underground arts/culture in general, CWLT (CULT in English) may be just your thing. A 68-page magazine with interviews, articles etc. about musicians and venues across Wales, including the likes of Gruff Rhys, Boy Azooga, Panic Shack, CINC Club night, The Family Battenberg, Waterpistol, Adwaith, Adam Walton and many others. The physical publication is freely available across ten towns in Wales but, it would seem, “once all printed issues of CWLT Volume 1 have been released into the wild, you will be able to read the magazine online for free.” Designed and edited by Jon Mlynarski, if you are interested in writing for CWLT, “or think you have something worth [him] writing about,” then please make contact via the website.
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Welsh Legends Retold
Horatio Clare, a Welsh author known for travel, memoir, nature and children’s books, has just had Pembrokeshire and Gwynedd Myths and Legends published by Graffeg, which retells six Welsh folktales – among them Strange Meeting at Criccieth and Eleanor’s Gyrfalcon. If you would like to know more about Clare, his previous works and this collection of short stories, I can point you in the direction of an excellent piece by Elena Gower, published in Nation Cymru earlier this month: Book review: Pembrokeshire and Gwynedd Myths and Legends by Horatio Clare. The collection is available from many bookshops and online booksellers across the UK.
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Categories: Reading Wales
Oh, that magazine sounds fascinating! Just wondering, is there an interview/article for Euros Childs (Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci), too?
I’m not at all sure, Deniz, but it should soon be available to read online. 😊
Thank you for the link to the Horatio Clare article.
You’re very welcome, Frances. 😊👍
Interesting stuff. After work I will poke around and see what THIS “Family Battenberg” is and how it is not THAT family…. lol. I’m not much for folklore, but might honestly try Clare’s if it is available when I’m in the mood for that type reading.
LOL! Here is a short feature on The Family Battenberg, a garage rock band from Wales:
https://focuswales.com/artists/the-family-battenberg-2/ 😊
Thanks! I’ll watch after work.
Trying to shape my March reading with three different events (fantasy, Ireland and Wales) has been tricky as I’m essentially a slow but steady reader – a reasonable excuse for not getting through more than two Wales-themed books despite trying to persuade you a half-Welsh fantasy writer counts! I keep meaning to push my still-unread copy of Owen Sheers’s I Saw a Man to the top of my Dewithon pile but this is now the third year I’ve forgotten 😔
You can only do so much, Chris and I’m always impressed by your bookish output. I’m immensely grateful you take part – whatever you’re able to produce for Dewithon is so much appreciated. Thank you. 😀👍
Wait, Horatio Clare is Welsh?? I’ve got another one on the TBR then!! I’m very much enjoying Welsh (Plural) too.
Clare was born in London but grew up on a sheep farm in South Wales. He often incorporates Wales and his Welshness into his work, so yes, he’s very definitely Dewithon material! 😊👍
I’m so pleased you are enjoying Welsh (Plural), Liz.
I’d hoped to try some folktales this month, too, but I’ve only just finished my novel this week. (But it was a goodie.) I’ve finished watching Hinterland though…loved it. (I don’t even think it’s based on a book, so basically I just watched shows instead of reading, yup.)
We all need to put the book down occasionally – then hopefully return to the page all keen and refreshed! 😊
Helo o Efrog Newydd!
Braf cwrdd â ti!👋😊
A chi’n hefyd!