Joe Dunthorne, Hanan Issa & Manon Steffan Ros: Wales in Words
Jun 19, 2024
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Three Welsh writers, including novelist Joe Dunthorne and National Poet of Wales Hanan Issa, delve into Wales' literary history and the concept of 'Welshness.' They discuss unique approaches in writing, inspirations behind projects honoring Welsh towns, and the challenges of portraying Welsh culture in novels. The podcast explores the significance of storytelling, relationships, class divides, cross-border experiences between Wales and England, and Welsh literature through translation, highlighting the enrichment of language and identity diversity.
Exploring Welshness in literature through diverse languages and cultural references.
Balancing nostalgia and modernity in portraying hometowns in contemporary writing.
Deep dives
Exploring Three Welsh Writers' Experiences
Manon Stefanros, Joe Dunthorn, and Ahanan Issa's backgrounds and achievements were discussed. Manon is an actress turned award-winning writer living in North Wales, Joe is a novelist from Swansea, and Ahanan is a poet and filmmaker from Cardiff. Each shared insights into their writing process, inspirations, and the Welshness reflected in their works.
Welsh Artists' Reflections on Dylan Thomas and Under Milk Wood
The three artists discussed their involvement in a BBC Radio 3 play inspired by Dylan Thomas's 'Under Milk Wood.' They reflected on the creative process of portraying their hometowns in a contemporary light, tackling the challenge of balancing nostalgia and modernity, and incorporating historical echoes into their works.
Impacts of Bilingualism on Writing and Identity
The panelists delved into the complexities of bilingualism and multiculturalism, highlighting both the positive aspects of language acquisition and the potential loneliness that comes with shared languages and specific cultural experiences. They shared personal experiences of bilingual upbringing, reflecting on the challenges and rewards of maintaining dual language proficiency.
Exploring Welshness and Language in Literature
The discussion expanded to the influence of Welshness and language diversity in literature, particularly the richness of Wenglish dialect, Welsh loanwords, and cultural references in English writing. The panelists emphasized the importance of reflecting diverse human experiences and identities in literature, positioning multilingualism as a valuable aspect of storytelling and cultural exchange.
Three of Wales' best contemporary writers in an early St David's Day celebration of Wales in words. Novelist Joe Dunthorne, National Poet of Wales Hanan Issa and Carnegie prize-winning novelist and playwright Manon Steffan Ros explore the country's literary history, share its less-known treasures, and discuss the meaning of 'Welshness' today, in a one-off conversation with readings. The event was curated by Hay Festival as part of Wales Week in London.