Magnificent tribute toWales’ lost chair winner
The sacrifice of war poet Hedd Wyn and the fallen generation of Welsh young men was the backdrop to the National Eisteddfod’s opening concert A Oes Heddwch (Is there Peace?) on Friday night. Eryl Crump gives his verdict
ELLIS Humphrey Evans from Trawsfynydd, better known by his bardic name Hedd Wyn, was killed a century ago on the first day of the bloody battle of Passchendaele.
A century later, his name lives on, the young man representing the nation’s loss and epitomising the generation of men killed during the Great War.
Divided into five sections, the concert not only depicted the horror of war on the battlefield, but also life back in Wales and the fateful afternoon at the 1917 Birkenhead National Eisteddfod, when a black shroud was draped over the majestic Eisteddfod Chair as a mark of respect for Hedd Wyn, the fallen winner.
This was a collaborative project led by brothers Aled and Dafydd Hughes, and brought together a wide range of
9.30am and 5.30pm at the Sinesmaes: Coastal Wales on Film, a selection of films from the National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales showing life on Wales’ coast through the 20th century.
10am at Science and Technology: Take part in hands-on projects involving coding, circuits and acoustic music.
10.30am at Societies 2: Authors Simon Brooks and Huw Ll Williams discuss Britishness, Europe, socialism and nationalism, and ask whether there is a future for the Welsh nation.
10.45am at the Literary Pavilion: M Wynn Thomas looks at the life, work and contribution of writer Emyr Humphreys. musical styles and genres, with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales working with the National Eisteddfod’s own 240-strong choir under the assured direction of Mari Lloyd Pritchard.
From the opening song, Canrif, the packed audience in the pavilion were gripped by the lyrical words of Eisteddfod crown winner Guto Dafydd.
A haunting requiem – Gorffwysgan – created by composer Paul Mealor and poet Grahame Davies, formed
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11am near the Gorsedd stones: New Gorsedd of the Bards members will be honoured.
Noon, the Children’s Literature Festival: Meinir Edwards shares her favourite Welsh legends and myths.
12.30pm at the Literary Pavilion: Mererid Hopwood talks with Hedd Wyn’s nephew Gerald Williams about his family and life caring for Yr Ysgwrs.
1.30pm at Societies 2: To mark 50 years since the 1967 Welsh Language Act, Welsh Language Commissioner Meri Huws plus a panel of legal experts discuss what’s been achieved through legislation.
2pm at Y Lle Celf: Presentation of the Ivor Davies prize for work which represents the language, culture and the centrepiece of the performance and its flowing theme was memorable.
Talented soloists Osian Huw Williams, Lleuwen Steffan, Casi Wyn, Gwen Elin and Emyr Gibson sang individual parts which, added to suitable lighting, portrayed the scenes at home and the battlefield effectively.
Despite its conclusion being known to the audience, the tension was admirably built up as the replica 1917 Eisteddfod chair was wheeled onto the stage. politics of Wales.
3pm at Societies 1: What has Wales done for peace during the last century? – a debate by panelists representing Wales for Peace, Fellowship of Reconciliation in Wales and CND Cymru.
4.30pm at Yr Orsedd: The Crowning ceremony.
7.30pm at Sinemaes: A special showing of Hedd Wyn.
8pm at the Pavilion: Noson Lawen Ynys Môn – an evening of family entertainment with Dilwyn Morgan presenting Elin Fflur, Côr Glanaethwy, Eilir Jones, Wil Tân, Trio, Y Tri Trwmpedwr (Gwyn Evans, Gwyn Owen & Cai Isfryn), Bach a Mawr & Edern.
When the Archdruid called for Fleur de Lys, Hedd Wyn’s nom de plume, and the trumpet sounded, there was no response. The sequence when the black shroud was laid over the chair will live long in the memory.
Indeed the entire performance will live long in my memory. Bearing in mind that the vast majority of those taking part were amateurs made it all the more worthwhile.
Hedd Wyn’s nephew Gerald Williams said afterwards it was “very good”. He was being too modest. This was a magnificent production, admirably staged and wonderfully performed. It was a fitting tribute to the poet who died a century ago and a fine start to the 2017 National Eisteddfod.