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Literature Wales is the Welsh national literature promotion agency and society of writers, existing to promote
Welsh-language Welsh ( or ) is a Celtic language of the Brittonic subgroup that is native to the Welsh people. Welsh is spoken natively in Wales, by some in England, and in Y Wladfa (the Welsh colony in Chubut Province, Argentina). Historically, it has al ...
and English-language literature in Wales. It offers bursaries for writing projects, runs literary events and lectures, and provides financial assistance for creative mentoring and other literary-based ventures. The organisation also selects the
National Poet for Wales The post of National Poet of Wales ( cy, Bardd Cenedlaethol Cymru) was established in May 2005 by Academi – the Welsh National Literature Promotion Agency and Society for Writers. The current holder of the position is Hanan Issa, who was appoi ...
, and manages competitions including
Wales Book of the Year The Wales Book of the Year is a Welsh literary award given annually to the best Welsh and English language works in the fields of fiction and literary criticism by Welsh or Welsh interest authors. Established in 1992, the awards are currently ad ...
, the Cardiff International Poetry Competition, and the Rhys Davies Short Story Competition.


History

The Academi was initially formed as a
Welsh language Welsh ( or ) is a Celtic language of the Brittonic subgroup that is native to the Welsh people. Welsh is spoken natively in Wales, by some in England, and in Y Wladfa (the Welsh colony in Chubut Province, Argentina). Historically, it has ...
society in 1959, following a public discussion between Robert Maynard Jones and the poet
Waldo Williams Waldo Goronwy Williams (30 September 1904 – 20 May 1971) was one of the leading Welsh-language poets of the 20th century. He was also a notable Christian pacifist, anti-war campaigner, and Welsh nationalist. He is often referred to by his f ...
. The Academi attracted notable Welsh writers and academics into its society from the beginning, and while a Welsh language–only publication, had as its chairmen
Iorwerth Peate Iorwerth Peate, also known as Cyfeiliog, (27 February 1901 – 19 October 1982) was a Welsh poet and scholar, best known as the founder, along with Cyril Fox, of St Fagans National History Museum. Born in Llanbrynmair into a family of carpent ...
(1959–1963), T. J. Morgan (1963–1966) and J. E. Caerwyn Williams (1966–1975). An English-language section was added in 1968 through the initiative of the editor and linguist
Meic Stephens Meic Stephens (23 July 1938 – 2 July 2018) was a Welsh literary editor, journalist, translator, and poet. Birth and education Meic Stephens was born on 23 July 1938 in the village of Treforest, near Pontypridd, Glamorgan. He was educated ...
in his capacity as literature director of the
Welsh Arts Council The Arts Council of Wales (ACW; cy, Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru) is a Welsh Government-sponsored body, responsible for funding and developing the arts in Wales. Established within the Arts Council of Great Britain in 1946, as the Welsh Arts ...
. The first chairman of the English-language section was Glyn Jones, who held the post until 1973. He was followed by
Roland Mathias Roland Glyn Mathias (4 September 1915 – 16 August 2007) was a Welsh writer, known for his poetry and short stories. He was also a literary critic, and responsible with Raymond Garlick for the success of the literary magazine ''Dock Leaves'' (f ...
(1973–1978), G. O. Jones (1978–1981), Sam Adams (1981–1984),
Tony Curtis Tony Curtis (born Bernard Schwartz; June 3, 1925September 29, 2010) was an American actor whose career spanned six decades, achieving the height of his popularity in the 1950s (Kansas Raiders, 1950) and early 1960s. He acted in more than 100 f ...
(1984–1987),
Gillian Clarke Gillian Clarke (born 8 June 1937) is a Welsh poet and playwright, who also edits, broadcasts, lectures and translates from Welsh into English. She co-founded Tŷ Newydd, a writers' centre in North Wales. Life Gillian Clarke was born on 8 J ...
(1987–1993) and
Sally Roberts Jones Sally Roberts Jones (born 30 November 1935) is an English-born Welsh poet, publisher and critic. Biography She was born Sally Roberts in London; her father was Welsh. She studied history at University College Bangor, then qualified as a libraria ...
(1993–1997). The Welsh-language chairmen after J. E. Caerwyn Williams were R. M. Jones (1975–1978), Alun Llywelyn-Williams (1978–1982), R. Gerallt Jones (1982–1987), R. Geraint Gruffydd (1987–1990), Gwenlyn Parry (1990–1991), Harri Pritchard Jones (1991–1996) and Nesta Wyn Jones (1996–1998). The Academi has been constitutionally independent since 1978. It took on an enlarged role in 1998 when it was reformed as a single organisation operating through two languages, and won the Arts Council of Wales's franchise to provide the national literature support service for Wales. On 1 April 2011, the Academi changed its title to Literature Wales, simultaneously merging with the writers' centre Tŷ Newydd.


Activities

Literature Wales operates the "Inspiring Communities" scheme, which facilitates and helps to fund the placement of writers in schools, interest groups and organisations across Wales for literary lectures, discussions and workshops. It also administers the
National Poet for Wales The post of National Poet of Wales ( cy, Bardd Cenedlaethol Cymru) was established in May 2005 by Academi – the Welsh National Literature Promotion Agency and Society for Writers. The current holder of the position is Hanan Issa, who was appoi ...
post (
Gwyneth Lewis Gwyneth Denver Davies (born 1959), known professionally as Gwyneth Lewis, is a Welsh poet, who was the inaugural National Poet of Wales in 2005. She wrote the text that appears over the Wales Millennium Centre. Biography Gwyneth Lewis was b ...
– 2005, Gwyn Thomas – 2006), ''Bardd Plant Cymru'' (
Gwyneth Glyn Gwyneth Glyn (born Gwyneth Glyn Evans, 14 December 1979) is a Welsh language poet and musician. Biography Gwyneth Glyn was born in St David's Hospital in Bangor, Gwynedd, and grew up at her family home in Llanarmon. She was educated at Ysgol ...
); the Welsh-language Children's Laureate joint scheme between S4C, The
Welsh Books Council The Books Council of Wales (previously known as the Welsh Books Council) or Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru was established in 1961. Today it is funded by the Welsh Government. The council's aims are to promote the interests of Welsh language books and Engl ...
, Literature Wales and
Urdd Gobaith Cymru Urdd Gobaith Cymru () (known as the Urdd) is a national voluntary youth organisation, which claimed over 56,000 members in 2019 aged between 8 and 25 years old. It provides opportunities for children and young people across Wales to take part ...
, and in 2005, administered the Cardiff Capital Poet project (
Gillian Clarke Gillian Clarke (born 8 June 1937) is a Welsh poet and playwright, who also edits, broadcasts, lectures and translates from Welsh into English. She co-founded Tŷ Newydd, a writers' centre in North Wales. Life Gillian Clarke was born on 8 J ...
). Managed by Literature Wales, the Glyn Jones Centre, based in the
Wales Millennium Centre Wales Millennium Centre ( cy, Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru) is an arts centre located in the Cardiff Bay area of Cardiff, Wales. The site covers a total area of . Phase 1 of the building was opened during the weekend of the 26–28 November 2004 an ...
, provides a space for visitors and writers to gain and exchange information on the practice, publication and promotion of writing. The centre houses a large collection of Welsh-interest literature. Following a lottery grant from the Arts Council of Wales, Literature Wales produced The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales (published by
University of Wales Press The University of Wales Press ( cy, Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru) was founded in 1922 as a central service of the University of Wales. The press publishes academic journals and around seventy books a year in the English and Welsh languages on six genera ...
in 2008). The encyclopaedia was published in both Welsh and English and aims to combine the coverage of a
gazetteer A gazetteer is a geographical index or directory used in conjunction with a map or atlas.Aurousseau, 61. It typically contains information concerning the geographical makeup, social statistics and physical features of a country, region, or con ...
and
biographical dictionary A biographical dictionary is a type of encyclopedic dictionary limited to biographical information. Many attempt to cover the major personalities of a country (with limitations, such as living persons only, in ''Who's Who'', or deceased people onl ...
with the authority of a historical dictionary and the utility of a
guide book A guide book or travel guide is "a book of information about a place designed for the use of visitors or tourists". It will usually include information about sights, accommodation, restaurants, transportation, and activities. Maps of varying det ...
. Literature Wales's website provides a service as a guide to literary activity in Wales and beyond, including a database of all known writers, funding bodies, writers’ groups, publishers and periodicals currently active in Wales, listings of current poetry and story writing competitions and details of opportunities for writers. It also offers advice on getting published and publishing in general, as well as providing information on the other literature bodies and organisations in Wales.


Controversy

The organisation of the awards presentation of the Academi's Wales Book of the Year competition 2008 was criticised after then Culture Minister
Rhodri Glyn Thomas Rhodri Glyn Thomas (born 11 April 1953) is a Welsh politician. He was the Plaid Cymru National Assembly for Wales Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr from 1999 to 2016, when he did not re-stand for election. Following his retirement from the ...
announced the wrong winner, although it was a simple mistake. Literature Wales has campaigned against the Welsh Journals Online project of the National Library of Wales because it argues that authors should be paid in return for permission to allow their material to be digitised.


Organisation

As a registered charity, Literature Wales is funded from public sources (largely the Arts Council of Wales, local authorities and a number of trusts), from members' subscriptions and to a lesser degree, from trading and literary activity. As of October 2022, Tŷ Newydd in
Llanystumdwy Llanystumdwy is a predominantly Welsh-speaking village, community and electoral ward on the Llŷn Peninsula in Wales. It lies in the traditional county of Caernarfonshire but is currently administered as part of the unitary authority of Gwyned ...
North Wales was made headquarters of the organisation, expanding its roots in Gwynedd with an office also in Cardiff, sited at the Wales Millennium Centre. In 2011, Lleucu Siencyn replaced poet and author Peter Finch as Literature Wales's chief executive. In 2022, Leusa Llewelyn and Claire Furlong replaced Lleucu Siencyn as chief executives. https://www.literaturewales.org/lw-news/literature-wales-appoints-two-new-chief-executive-officers/ (accessed 8 November 2022)


References


External links

* {{Authority control Welsh literature Charities based in Wales 1959 establishments in Wales Arts organizations established in 1959