Time to Say ‘Hwyl’

A few thoughts on the future of Dewithon

I came up with the idea of Dewithon (aka Reading Wales) in 2018 because I wanted to introduce as many non-Welsh-speaking readers as possible to the literature of my country. Books translated from Welsh have always been included in this annual event (1st-31st March), but just as frequently are those written in English by authors and poets living and working in Wales. The point has always been to encourage others to discover some of the exciting works being produced by the people of this small but wordy nation – and in a limited way, I think it may have succeeded.

As I’ve commented in previous posts, Dewithon has taken on a life of its own since its inception and is entered into by book lovers around the world, some of whom quite obviously have no idea where, when and how it all began – but that matters not. It is satisfying simply to see the event achieve a few of my initial aims, not least to set in motion an online literary challenge that could be enjoyed by Welsh speakers and non-Welsh-speakers alike.

It has been gratifying to see people from different countries and cultures become involved every March, but I cannot help but feel the event has outgrown my abilities in many respects and that far more time and energy is required to properly do justice this important subject.

I am a person of limited academic experience: no university education and incomplete schooling (in fact, I left school for good at the age of 14, which is something I doubt I would get away with these days). However, I always adored reading books for the sheer delight of immersing myself in others’ imaginations, opinions and specialist knowledge and, in consequence, have long taken pleasure in writing about literature – be it in a spontaneous, informal, sometimes tongue-in-cheek sort of way, which is how I eventually became the blithe book blogger you know today (but therein lies another story).

Every year I seem to be dashing here and there, devoting less and less time to Dewithon, which is clearly unfair to those taking part. So now, I believe, is the time to step back and give others the opportunity to take the event in new directions.

I would, at this point, like to smoothly slide projects into my schedule rather than have them take over my life, leaving little or no time to be impulsive and have fun with my reading. Who knows, I may decide to do something wildly audacious… or not. But it’s good to think I have the option should the urge strike.

I also hope to spend a bit more time on my Tove Jansson project (#ToveTrove), which I have shamefully neglected for quite some while and, naturally, I intend to wind up the week for as long as you wish me to do so.

I will continue to celebrate Dewithon in my own small way (and I encourage others to do the same) but without making commitments that I may be unable to keep. Thus, if anyone would like to take over the official duty of hosting Reading Wales, I would be delighted to hand over the reins.

Thank you so much, everyone, for your input and support over the previous six years. I have enjoyed the experience immensely.