Poetry of the now; magic and fantasy; iconic Welsh writing; and a new festival.
The latest from the BBC Radio Wales Arts Show.
On this week’s show I had the pleasure of hosting a wide-ranging conversation between three writers thoroughly embedded in different aspects of Welsh culture.
Tony Curtis as been a leading light of Welsh poetry for over forty years, and his latest collection - his eleventh - Leaving the Hills (Seren), includes a vast array of characters and perspectives, but is poignant and energetic reflection on the detritus of life.
Catherine Fisher is one of Wales’ most successful children’s writers, and her new book is a vibrant and fun retelling of the Mabinogion’s Cwlhwch and Olwen, complete with dark humour, swords, magic, and talking animals.
Janet Aethwy has written and directed a new one-woman show about the life of Kate Roberts, perhaps the most widely read welsh language author of all time. As Janet explains on the show, she’s tried to capture something of the real Roberts, behind the formidable public persona.
And I have a chat with Francis King, one of the figures behind the impressive-looking new Ruthin International Arts Festival taking place across July.
You can catch up with the show here.
Gary Raymond is a novelist, author, playwright, critic, and broadcaster. In 2012, he co-founded Wales Arts Review, was its editor for ten years. His latest book, Abandon All Hope: A Personal Journey Through the History of Welsh Literature is out now with Calon Books.