Gwyl y Cyfarwydd

Background

Although born in Scotland, Michael has become known as Wales’ foremost ‘cyfarwydd’ (storyteller), equally at home in Welsh, English or French. Despite his fame on mainland Europe, it his partnership with Gwyl y Cyfarwydd that has brought him into the storytelling heartland of Ceredigion and the west. Says Michael ‘The art of the ‘cyfarwydd’ is still very much alive and well in the Welsh-speaking communities of the west of Wales. I very much enjoy working here not only playing my part in keeping the thrilling Mabinogion tales alive but also watching and listening and learning from the area’s very own old and young storytellers. They are a priceless part of Ceredigion’s cultural richness.’

Michael will tell the first tale – Pwyll Pendefig Dyfed (Pwyll the Prince of Dyfed) – at Penparc, near Cardigan. Weather permitting, the story will be told on the forecourt of the village’s chapel, within sight of Banc y Warrin, the landmark grass-and-sand mound that experts now believe to be the geographical site of the story. Says Gwyl y Cyfarwydd director, Euros Lewis:
‘ This is very exciting indeed. Not only do we have one of the world’s best storytellers telling one of the world’s best stories, but he will be doing it so close to where Pwyll, so the story tells us, actually chased after his bride-to-be Rhiannon. There is only one word for it: magical.’

Naturally, Michael will be telling each of the four principal stories in Welsh. Those who are not fluent will be able to follow each and every word thanks to a team of simultaneous translators whose ability has been highly praised by past Gwyl y Cyfarwydd audiences

FOR WELSH LEARNERS / PROSPECTIVE LEARNERS...

In collaboration with Cwmni Cydweithredol Troed-y-rhiw (the Ceredigion based creative co-operative) Gwyl y Cyfarwydd (the Welsh Storytellers’ Festival) opens this year with the telling of each of the four branches (or stories) of the famous Mabinogion tales. The first tale (concerning Pwyll, the chieftain of the old kingdom of Dyfed) will be presented on the forecourt of Capel Penparc (near Cardigan) – within sight of what folklorists believe to be the original setting of this particular medieval epic.

The second tale (telling the story of Branwen and the great war with Ireland) will be presented at Tafarn Bach, Pontsian - the natural home of many contemporary cyfarwyddiaid (story-tellers).

The third tale (of Manawydan, the son of Llyr) will be told in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains – at the iconic Capel Soar-y-Mynydd.

The final story, of Math, son of Mathonwy, will also be told within the upland landscape of Ceredigion – at Llyn Eiddwen (Trefenter).

All four branches will be presented by Michael Harvey, the celebrated international storyteller. Naturally, he will be presenting the tales in Welsh. Developing on past experience, Gwyl y Cyfarwydd will provide top class simultaneous translation facilities so ensuring an open access to these riches. Professor Sioned Davies’ new translation of the written texts is now available: The Mabinogion (Sioned Davies) Oxford University Press

The Mabinogion events form part of a month-long celebration by Cwmni Cydweithredol Troed-y-rhiw of the creative strength and energy of the Welsh-speaking communities of the west and north and their culture.

Background	Ferswin Cymraeg
Although born in Scotland, Michael has become known as Wales’ foremost ‘cyfarwydd’ (storyteller), equally at home in Welsh, English or French. Despite his fame on mainland Europe, it his partnership with Gwyl y Cyfarwydd that has brought him into the storytelling heartland of Ceredigion and the west. Says Michael ‘The art of the ‘cyfarwydd’ is still very much alive and well in the Welsh-speaking communities of the west of Wales. I very much enjoy working here not only playing my part in keeping the thrilling Mabinogion tales alive but also watching and listening and learning from the area’s very own old and young storytellers. They are a priceless part of Ceredigion’s cultural richness.’ Michael will tell the first tale – Pwyll Pendefig Dyfed (Pwyll the Prince of Dyfed) – at Penparc, near Cardigan. Weather permitting, the story will be told on the forecourt of the village’s chapel, within sight of Banc y Warrin, the landmark grass-and-sand mound that experts now believe to be the geographical site of the story. Says Gwyl y Cyfarwydd director, Euros Lewis: ‘ This is very exciting indeed. Not only do we have one of the world’s best storytellers telling one of the world’s best stories, but he will be doing it so close to where Pwyll, so the story tells us, actually chased after his bride-to-be Rhiannon. There is only one word for it: magical.’ Naturally, Michael will be telling each of the four principal stories in Welsh. Those who are not fluent will be able to follow each and every word thanks to a team of simultaneous translators whose ability has been highly praised by past Gwyl y Cyfarwydd audiences
	FOR WELSH LEARNERS / PROSPECTIVE LEARNERS... In collaboration with Cwmni Cydweithredol Troed-y-rhiw (the Ceredigion based creative co-operative) Gwyl y Cyfarwydd (the Welsh Storytellers’ Festival) opens this year with the telling of each of the four branches (or stories) of the famous Mabinogion tales. The first tale (concerning Pwyll, the chieftain of the old kingdom of Dyfed) will be presented on the forecourt of Capel Penparc (near Cardigan) – within sight of what folklorists believe to be the original setting of this particular medieval epic. The second tale (telling the story of Branwen and the great war with Ireland) will be presented at Tafarn Bach, Pontsian - the natural home of many contemporary cyfarwyddiaid (story-tellers). The third tale (of Manawydan, the son of Llyr) will be told in the heart of the Cambrian Mountains – at the iconic Capel Soar-y-Mynydd. The final story, of Math, son of Mathonwy, will also be told within the upland landscape of Ceredigion – at Llyn Eiddwen (Trefenter).
All four branches will be presented by Michael Harvey, the celebrated international storyteller. Naturally, he will be presenting the tales in Welsh. Developing on past experience, Gwyl y Cyfarwydd will provide top class simultaneous translation facilities so ensuring an open access to these riches. Professor Sioned Davies’ new translation of the written texts is now available: The Mabinogion (Sioned Davies) Oxford University Press The Mabinogion events form part of a month-long celebration by Cwmni Cydweithredol Troed-y-rhiw of the creative strength and energy of the Welsh-speaking communities of the west and north and their culture.