Great to be Welsh

Balchder

The Cardiff Eisteddfod was a deeply satisfying delight.

Our remarkable nation is at its best. There is so much to celebrate. When Saunders Lewis gave his Tynged yr Iaith lecture in 1962, he doubted whether the Welsh language would survive into the 21st century.  The fear of the death of a language frightened and galvanized the nation. Without the campaign for a 4th channel by Cymdeithas yr Iaith and others, Lewis's gloomy prophecy may have come true.

This week we have seen one of the most ancient languages of Europe flourishing as never before. The beauty, depth and wit of the living literature is continually being recreated by a fresh generation of inspired writers.  The standard of the cynghanedd competition reaches new heights from fresh-faced youth.

While other nations celebrate the deeds of their warriors, Wales gives its highest honour to a person who has expressed profound and beautiful concepts in the majestic language of a poem.  A packed literary pavilion is delighted by the unique bardic competition of wit and elegant language.

Every day on the Eisteddfod, Welsh talent in dance, music and acting has competed and reached for higher standards. The tradition of Welsh schools, with their emphasis, on speech and music, has given us a new generation of film, stage and television stars.

In 1969, I campaigned for the start of a Welsh School in Newport. It opened in 1970 with 12 pupils. It now has 250 and a second one will open soon.  Even more surprising is that the language that has been neglected in Gwent for a generation is now heard on the lips of all our schoolchildren.

For the first time for centuries we have our own government on the soil of our own country. In spite of the drag anchors that seek to stunt its progress, the Assembly will grow in statute and strength. Much of the bile and poison of division has been drained from the body politic with the One Wales Government. There is a shared pride  of achievement and high promise.

All that plus two Grand Slams and Britain's first gold medal for Wales' Nicole Cooke.

What a great privilege it is to be Welsh in 2008.

Comments

[Jolly Roger.]

Why do you praise Saunders Lewis for a minute?
You seem to forget his history, innit.
This is the bloke who saw that it was fit,
To leave English children right in the shit.
When Nazi bombers were flattening their house.
Lewis said "Keep 'em out's what I espouse".
This nasty and bitter Nationalist vulture,
Said "Keep 'em out, they'll pollute the culture".
He was prepared to see children die.
In order to support his 'cultural' lie.

He was determined to burn out those unaware,
Their life or their death, he just didn't care.
And now still after all of these years,
He's got such as you to give him three cheers.
You clearly support his Nationalist stance.
Are you really happy in New Labour, perchance?
Surely you'd be better off with the Plaid.
Then your Nationalist fervour you'd have no need to hide.
And then your constituents could make up their mind.
Whether they support Saunders Lewis's kind.

[paulflynn]

Who has poisoned your mind Jolly Roger? Where did you get this bit of nonsense?
I knew Saunder Lewis well. He was my tutor in university. That was a high point in my life. Unlike the monster you describe, I remember him as a writer of genius and a kind and inspirational teacher. He was also a delightful and amusing companion. The man I knew does not fit into your ugly and absurd caricature of child murderer.

I recall vividly his Tynged yr Iaith lecture and its aftermath. This is a factual history. I doubt whether you have read a word of his writings. You appear to know nothing of his place in literature or in the life of Wales. Whoever has produced this absurd calumny is either ignorant or blinded by political spite.

[patrick]

Jolly
Have you ever considered anger management?

[Jolly Roger]

Just a note from this placid chancer.
I refer Honourable Friends to this previous answer.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmhansrd/vo020507/halltext/20507h05.htm

Hansard 7th. May 2002

[paulflynn]

jolly Roger, You will note that those who attacked Saunders Lewis in this debate did not know him and had never read a word of his work.

It was a disgraceful, ignorant debate that demeaned parliament because interventions were refused by the two main speakers. This proved the superficial knowledge of the case they were presenting. I was present in this occasion. Hansard does not record the derision of most of hose present against a hopelessly mis-judged attack that the two speakers refused to debate or defend.

[Ian]

It was a great Eisteddfod and I'm really looking forward to Ebbw Vale in 2010. The last time I was at that site, I had a guided tour around the working steel plant. It's not only a wonderful opportunity to help the Welsh language in Gwent but also a chance for many Welsh people to visit the Gwent valleys. The Eisteddfod allows me to see parts of Wales I have not previously been to and I suspect that the Ebbw Vale Maes will do the same for many.

[PaulFlynn]

Thanks Ian. It will great to see the Steelworks site transformed. I worked there for a few days on secondment from Llanwern in the sixties! Hard to belive it's not an open space.

The 2010 Eisteddfod will great for the language and for Blaenau Gwent. I'm looking forward to it too,