National Eisteddfod 2013

02 August 2013

There will be a variety of talks, lectures and interactive activities to suit all ages and interests at Aberystwyth University’s stand at the National Eisteddfod next week.

Wales’ leading Welsh language festival takes place during the first week of August will be held in Denbighshire from August 2nd – 10th.

If you are a school pupil, come and find out more about the University, or come over to reminisce if you have already studied at the College by the sea! Teachers are also welcome to come and talk to staff regarding the opportunities for studying at the University. Children can draw pictures, and meet Dewi the Dolphin, the University’s special mascot!

Computers will also be available for use and visitors can have free access to the internet on them all week. There is also free Wi-Fi and the week’s main ceremonies will all be shown live on the stand.

Additionally, many other activities will be held on the stand during the week. Highlights include:

5th of August at 12pm: Flash Floods in Wales: past and present

North Ceredigion was hit by flash floods during the summer of 2012. In this talk, Dr Cerys A Jones, a geography lecturer from Aberystwyth University, will be discussing this event in light of past flash floods.

6th of August at 10am: Why Translate into Welsh?

The Aberystwyth University stand will be alive with talk of literatures and languages on the Tuesday of Eisteddfod Week between 10 and 11am when Mererid Hopwood, Sioned Puw Rowlands, Dewi Huw Owen and others will make a series of micro presentations on the topic ‘Why Translate into Welsh?’ drawing on their personal and professional experience. This will be followed by Ned Thomas’s adjudication of this year’s Translators’ House Wales Translation Challenge and the associated awards ceremony.

7th of August at 12pm: Lygad yn Llygad Book Launch

Dr Huw Meirion Edwards from the University’s Welsh Department will be on the stand today to launch his first collection of poetry, Lygad yn Llygad which is published by Gwasg y Bwthyn.

2-4pm: Reception for Aberystwyth University Alumni

Hosted jointly by the Old Students’ Association and the University, this is a great opportunity for everyone who’s ever studied at Aberystwyth University to get together on the Eisteddfod field. Professor April McMahon, Vice Chancellor of Aberystwyth University will be present, and Mrs Ina Tudno Williams, the vice Chairperson of the Old Students’ Association will share a few memories. Our guest speaker this year is Dr Christine James. An alumna of Aberystwyth University, she is the first female Archdruid. Light refreshments will be provided and it will be a chance to reminisce with old friends.

8th of August at 11am: The Price of Coal: Accidents, injuries and disability in the coal industry in Wales.

Based on a research project funded by the Wellcome Trust, this is a presentation on the perils faced by miners in Wales in their day to day lives. The presentation by Dr Steve Thompson from the Department of History and Welsh History will consider the consequences of working in such dangerous, unhealthy conditions by reflecting on various original sources such as ballads, poetry, newspapers and images.

9th of August at 12pm: International Politics Masters Students

Three Masters students from the International Politics’ Welsh Politics and Society Masters programme will be on the stand today, sharing their experiences. These three projects are funded through the Access to Masters scheme in cooperation with local businesses – FBA, Golwg360 and UCAC, and touch on current issues which are of importance to Wales.

There will be an opportunity to ask them questions about their experiences as International Politics Masters students and a chance to enjoy some light refreshments after the discussion!

2 – 4pm: Midsummer Reunion

If you are a current student at Aberystwyth University, pop by the stand on Friday afternoon to meet friends on the Eisteddfod field! Catrin Herbert will be performing and light refreshments will be provided. Mared Ifan, the President of UMCA (the Welsh Students’ Union) will be talking about UMCA’s fortieth birthday celebrations. Prospective students are also welcome to come and meet current students and staff to ask anything they might want to know before arriving at Aber.

Aberystwyth University will also be represented on:

7th of August at 12pm in Theatr y Maes

A drama company of Aberystwyth University students have won their place in the final round of the competition to perform a One Act Play at the National Eisteddfod this year.

Under the guidance of their director Dr. Roger Owen from TFTS, Gwion James, Sian Owens, Carys Jones and Lucy Andrews will stage the play Carnifal, a Welsh translation by Jan Piette (a former Lecturer in Breton at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth) of the original Breton drama Meurlarjez by the famous writer Roparz Hemon. The performance will take place in Theatr y Maes at 12 o’clock on Wednesday the 7th of August.

8th of August in Pabell y Cymdeithasau 1 (Societies Tent 1) at 10am

On Thursday the 8th of August, Aberystwyth University’s Dr Huw Lewis will chair a panel which will discuss ‘Planning a Future for the Welsh Language’. The panel will discuss the nature of the issues we need to better understand in order to enhance the effectiveness of current planning with regards to the Welsh language.

More information on all our events can be found at https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/eisteddfod/

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