Entertainment

Twin exhibitions aim to reconnect people with The Lost Words of nature and culture

Published

3 years ago

March 12, 2023

A UNIQUE partnership between Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales and two National Park Authorities in Wales will see the best-selling book Geiriau Diflanedig – The Lost Words brought to life in two fully bilingual exhibitions for the first time this summer.

Geiriau Diflanedig – The Lost Words explores the relationship between language and the living world, and of nature’s power to spark the imagination. The touring exhibition, which is organised by Compton Verney, with Hamish Hamilton and Penguin Books, will bring together, for the first time the original artwork by Jackie Morris alongside the English language poems by Robert Macfarlane and Welsh language poems written by Mererid Hopwood.

The award-winning book The Lost Words uses stirring spell-songs and eye-catching illustrations to reintroduce the fading faces of nature to our vocabularies and in turn, inspire us to join the fight to reverse their plight. The Welsh publication, Geiriau Diflanedig was published by Graffeg in 2019.

The collaboration between Amgueddfa Cymru, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park Authority will see words and watercolours from the book on display at Yr Ysgwrn in Gwynedd from Sunday 25 June 2023 and at Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre in Pembrokeshire from Sunday 2 July 2023.

At Oriel y Parc in St Davids, specimens from the natural history collections of Amgueddfa Cymru will also be used to highlight the level of biodiversity loss and explain the work being done to try and arrest this decline.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority Chair, Cllr Di Clements, said: “The Lost Words has already reintroduced nature to the language and lives of many people since its release, and it is hoped this exhibition will help amplify the rallying call of this rousing work still further.

“This unique collaboration brings together three organisations with shared aims and objectives, to promote nature, culture and heritage and highlight the issues impacting on these important elements of our everyday lives.

“It will also give people an insight into efforts being made to combat the threats that nature and the Welsh language face, as well as what steps people can take to help tackle these issues.”

Jonathan Cawley, Director of Planning and Land Management, Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park Authority said, “Yr Ysgwrn is home to several species featured in Geiriau Diflanedig/The Lost Words and bringing this exhibition of lost words to the home of Wales’ lost poet, widely known for his nature inspired poetry is an exceptional privilege. Bringing together the beauty of species and their enchanting names, Geiriau Diflanedig – The Lost Words never fails to inspire and its ability to engage young people in the importance of nature recovery and fostering our cultural heritage and the Welsh language in Eryri is particularly significant”.

A series of special events and activities will be held at Oriel y Parc and Yr Ysgwrn to encourage more people to discover more about Geiriau Diflanedig – The Lost Words and use the spell-songs to conjure their own magic memories in nature.

Nia Williams, Director of Learning and Public Programmes, Amgueddfa Cymru added: “We are delighted to be collaborating in partnership with Oriel y Parc and Yr Ysgwrn to bring this exhibition to communities across west and north Wales.

“Following the publication of Geiriau Diflanedig, this is now a perfect time here in Wales to celebrate the Welsh language poems of Mererid Hopwood alongside the beautiful illustrations by Jackie Morris. We are proud to be presenting this exhibition in Welsh for the first time.”

Abby Viner, Director of Creative Programming, Compton Verney, said: “We are delighted to be working with Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales to present The Lost Words in Wales for the first time, and what a successful partnership it’s been working with the two venues who will be showing the works, with National Museum Wales co-ordinating. We can’t wait to see the exhibition in these fabulous venues.”

Geiriau Diflanedig – The Lost Words will be on display at Yr Ysgwrn in Trawsfynydd from Sunday 25 June 2023 until spring 2024. For more information on this exhibition visit www.yrysgwrn.com/en/visit/lost-words-exhibition.

Geiriau Diflanedig – The Lost Words will be on display at Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre in St Davids from Sunday 2 July 2023 until spring 2024. For more information on this exhibition visit www.orielyparc.co.uk/the-lost-words.

Entertainment

Tenby steams up in spectacular style as crowds flock to festival

Published

4 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Colourful parade, towering creations and Victorian flair bring town centre to life

TENBY was transformed into a vibrant Victorian fantasy on Saturday (Mar 21) as hundreds of visitors descended on the town for the annual Steampunk Festival.

The highlight of the day came with the much-anticipated Peacock Parade, which saw elaborately dressed participants wind their way through Tenby’s narrow streets, drawing large crowds of spectators.

Residents and visitors lined the route, many stopping to take photos as performers in eye-catching costumes passed by. From brass goggles and top hats to military-inspired uniforms and elegant gowns, the outfits on display reflected the creativity and theatrical spirit of the steampunk scene.

Among the most striking sights were the towering pink flamingo creations, which rose high above the crowds and became an instant talking point. Musicians in period costume added to the atmosphere, playing lively tunes as they marched through the town.

Families were out in force, with children and adults alike enjoying the spectacle. Many visitors had travelled from across Wales and beyond to attend the event, which has grown in popularity in recent years and is now firmly established as a key date in Tenby’s events calendar.

The Herald understands that local businesses also benefited from the influx of visitors, with cafés, pubs and shops seeing a steady flow of customers throughout the day.

In addition to the parade, a range of activities were taking place across the town, including markets, performances and themed entertainment centred around the De Valence Pavilion.

Organisers have worked to create an inclusive and welcoming event, with many people choosing to dress up while others simply come along to enjoy the unique atmosphere.

The festival continues on Sunday, with further events planned as Tenby remains firmly in the grip of steampunk fever for the weekend.

Photos: Colourful characters take part in the Peacock Parade through Tenby on Saturday (Pic: Gareth Davies).

Entertainment

St Patrick’s night celebration at Giraldus Centre

Published

3 days ago

March 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

GET ready to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in style this Friday at the Giraldus Centre in Manorbier.

The community venue is hosting a lively evening of music, dancing and Irish-themed fun, with entertainment from popular local group The Slipway Ukes.

Doors open at 7:00pm on Friday (Mar 20), with free entry for all. A fully licensed bar will be open throughout the evening, serving drinks and snacks with an Irish twist.

Organisers are encouraging everyone to “unleash their inner leprechaun” and enjoy a night on the dance floor.

There is no need to book—just turn up and join in.

Donations on the night will be gratefully received in support of the Paul Sartori Foundation.

The event takes place at the Giraldus Centre, Manorbier, SA70 7TN.

Entertainment

Met Opera’s Tristan und Isolde comes to the Torch Theatre

Published

6 days ago

March 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Lise Davidsen leads star cast in Wagner’s epic tale of love and death in special cinema broadcast on Sunday (Mar 22)

AFTER years of anticipation, a truly unmissable event arrives in cinemas worldwide as the electrifying Lise Davidsen takes on one of the ultimate roles for dramatic soprano – the Irish princess Isolde – in Wagner’s transcendent meditation on love and death, Tristan und Isolde.

Heroic tenor Michael Spyres stars opposite Davidsen as the love-struck Tristan in what promises to be a powerful and emotionally charged performance.

The production also marks the arrival of a new staging at the Metropolitan Opera by Yuval Sharon, making his Met debut. Sharon has been hailed by The New York Times as “the most visionary opera director of his generation” and was the first American to direct an opera at the famous Wagner festival in Bayreuth.

Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin also leads Tristan und Isolde at the Met for the first time in this landmark production.

The cast includes mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Gubanova reprising her acclaimed portrayal of Brangäne, alongside bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny as Kurwenal following his celebrated Met appearances in Wagner’s Der Fliegende Holländerand the Ring cycle. Bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green makes an important role debut as King Marke.

Reviewing the production for The Observer, Fiona Maddocks described it as a “glorious production” and “well worth catching”, adding: “This was one of those rare and blissful nights when dropped jaws silenced noisy opinion in the queue for coats afterwards.”

The recorded broadcast of Tristan und Isolde will be screened at the Torch Theatre on Sunday (Mar 22) at 4:00pm.

For further information visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk or contact the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

ENDS