Welsh writers Natalie Ann Holborow, Siôn Tomos Owen and Sophie McKeand will be joined by Indian writers Aniesha Brahma, Srijato Bandyopadhyay and Arunava Sinha. The writers have been brought together by Welsh publisher Parthian Books, Kolkata-based Bee Books, Literature Wales and Wales Arts Review, for their new project The Valley, The City, The Village.
The project is supported by India Wales, a new funding scheme by the British Council and Wales Arts International. The scheme supports artistic collaboration and exchange between creative professionals and arts organisations in Wales and India to build sustainable, creative relationships and networks between the two countries.
The Valley, The City, The Village brings together the six writers in a series of residencies and live performances, which will result in a trilingual publication of new writing in Bengali, English and Welsh to be published by Parthian in 2018. The project incorporates prose, poetry, art and reportage from Bengal and Wales. A special 48-page full colour magazine celebrating The Valley, The City, The Village will also be launched on 26 May, featuring contributions from all writers.
The Valley, The City, The Village writers will take part in the Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre course ‘Poems after Poems’ with Menna Elfyn and Paul Henry from 2-4 June, as well as visits to schools to deliver workshops with children in Llansteffan from 6-11 June.
Scheduled public events:
25 May
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Opening Reception and Reading
The Wales Mela 2017 leg of The Valley, The City, The Village project begins with an Opening Reception and Reading in Treorchy (the nearest train station is Treorchy).
7.00 – 9.00 pm. Free entry, all welcome
High Street Social, 204 High Street, Treorchy, CF42 6AT
26 May
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Official Welcome Reception and launch of new The Valley, The City, The Village magazine
Readings in English, Welsh and Bengali. In association with British Council, Wales Arts International, Literature Wales, Cardiff Library and Wales Arts Review.
12.00 noon – 2.00 pm. Free entry, all welcome
Cardiff Central Library, The Hayes, Cardiff, CF10 1FL -
Reception and Parthian book launch
A Van of One’s Own by Biddy Wells with additional poetry reading by visiting writer Srijato Bandyopadhyay.
6.00 – 8.00 pm. Free entry, all welcome
The Gallery Yr Oriel Newport Pembs, East Street, Newport, Pembrokeshire SA42 0SY
31 May
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Hay Festival, Hay Mela 1: And Suddenly You Find Yourself in India
With Srijato Bandyopadhyay, Natalie Ann Holborow, Arunava Sinha, Sophie McKeand, Aniesha Brahma and Siôn Tomos Owen. The poets relate and perform their experience of the India Wales project 2017, Valley City Village. Introduced by Gary Raymond.
5.30 – 6.30 pm, £7.30, tickets from: www.hayfestival.com (Event 292)
Venue: Starlight Stage, Hay Festival 2017, Hay-on-Wye, Wales
1 June
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Evening poetry reading and book launch
For Rebel Sun with Sophie McKeand, in association with the vibrant spoken word movement Voicebox.
7.00 – 10.00 pm. Free entry, all welcome
Undegun, 11 Regent Street, Wrexham LL11 1SG
www.facebook.com/events/352536771815188/
4 June
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Afternoon poetry reading
With Siôn Tomos Owen, Srijato Bandyopadhyay, and Natalie Ann Holborow
3.00 – 4.00 pm. Free entry, all welcome
Palas Print, 10 Palace St, Caernarfon LL55 1RR
8 – 10 June
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Llansteffan Festival
Join us in the literary Wild West for Llansteffan Festival featuring readings, storytelling, a literary bus tour and a visit to Fern Hill.
Various locations/times tbc, Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire
