 |
The Welsh Folk Dance Society (Welsh : Cymdeithas Ddawns Werin Cymru) is an organisation which supports, maintains and extends Welsh traditional dancing. [1] It is also a registered charity. [2]
| Formation | 1949 |
|---|---|
| Type | Nonprofit organisation |
| Purpose | Research, study and promotion of Welsh folk dance |
Region served | Wales |
| Website | https://dawnsio.cymru/en/ |
A public meeting was held in The Castle, Shrewsbury, on Saturday, July 23, 1949, where the Welsh Folk Dance Society was founded. [3] The society was formed in order to both revive and promote old traditional Welsh dances and create new ones. [4] [ full citation needed ]
After Ceinwen Thomas had left college she met Walter Dowding of the Welsh National Folk Dance Society. She told him about her mother's recollections of folk dancing in Nantgarw. He put her in touch with Doris Freeman. Together Catherine Margretta Thomas, Ceinwen Thomas and Doris Freeman worked to notate the dance steps from the traditional dances that Catherine Margretta Thomas could remember. [5] These notes were then passed on to the Welsh National Folk Dance Society by Ceinwen Thomas. [6] [ user-generated source ]
Since the founding of the Society, Welsh folk dancing in has had significant success in Wales and abroad. Workshops, lectures and courses arranged by the society typically have significant attendance. Dance events at Eisteddfod's also enjoy significant audience. [7]
The Welsh Folk Dance Society celebrated its 70th anniversary in Pembroke on June 15, 2019. Celebrations included traditional Welsh dancing by multiple groups across Wales in traditional clothing near Cardigan castle. [8]
The society has produced a number of published works including: [9]
Morris dancing is a form of English folk dance. It is based on rhythmic stepping and the execution of choreographed figures by a group of dancers in costume, usually wearing bell pads on their shins and/or shoes. A band or single musician, also costumed, will accompany them. Sticks, swords, handkerchiefs, and a variety of other implements may be wielded by the dancers.
The Welsh Language Society is a direct action pressure group in Wales campaigning for the right of Welsh people to use the Welsh language in every aspect of their lives. The chair of the Welsh Language Society since October 2023 is Joseff Gnagbo.
The Music of Wales, particularly singing, is a significant part of Welsh national identity, and the country is traditionally referred to as "the land of song".
Dafydd Iwan Jones is a Welsh singer and nationalist politician who rose to fame writing and performing folk music in the Welsh language. From 2003 to 2010, Iwan was the president of Plaid Cymru, a political party which advocates for Welsh independence from the UK.
Tenby is a seaside town and community in the county of Pembrokeshire, Wales. It lies within Carmarthen Bay.
Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, branded as simply Amgueddfa Cymru, is a Welsh Government sponsored body that comprises seven museums in Wales:
Meredydd Evans, known colloquially as Merêd, was a collector, editor, historian and performer of folk music of Wales. A major figure in Welsh media for over half a century, Evans has been described as influencing "almost every sphere of Welsh cultural life, from folk music and philosophy to broadcasting and language politics".
Llandre, or Llanfihangel Genau'r Glyn, is a village in Ceredigion, Wales. It lies 5 miles north of Aberystwyth in the north-west of the county, on the road from Rhydypennau to Borth. To the north of the community lies the village of Dôl-y-bont. The community is called Geneu'r Glyn.
David James Davies (1893–1956), known as D. J. Davies, was a Welsh economist, industrialist, essayist, author, political activist, pilot, and an internationalist. Davies was a world traveller before returning home to Wales.
Clera is the society for traditional musical instruments of Wales. It was founded by a group of musicians including Stephen Rees, Robin Huw Bowen, Andy McLauchlin, Wyn Thomas, Huw Roberts, Llio Rhydderch, Elonwy Wright and Frances Môn Jones. Geraint Roberts is the current chair.
The Gwyneddigion Society was a London-based Welsh literary and cultural society. The original society was founded in 1770 and wound up in 1843. It was briefly revived in 1978. Its proceedings were conducted through the medium of Welsh.
The Welsh dance, also known as the Welsh folk dance, is a traditional dance in Wales, performed to Welsh traditional music and while usually wearing a traditional Welsh costume.
Undeb Cymru Fydd was a Welsh patriotic and cultural society. It was founded in 1941 when Undeb Cenedlaethol y Cymdeithasau Cymreig and Pwyllgor Amddiffyn Diwylliant Cymru merged to form a new organization with the aim of promoting Welsh culture and the Welsh language and to be the focus and medium of cooperation for that purpose. The new organization took the name of the earlier patriotic movement Cymru Fydd, which was established in 1886.
Frances Môn Jones was a Welsh harpist and teacher who won three harp competitions and one solo soprano contest at the National Eisteddfod of Wales from 1937 to 1949. She began playing the organ at age 14 before playing the harp. Jones helped W. S. Gwynn Williams to establish the Llangollen International Eisteddfod and played the harp at events. She attended the Royal Northern College of Music from 1955 to 1960 and subsequently retired from performing to teach in schools around the area of her residence.
Eurwyn Wiliam is a Welsh curator and author who was Chairman of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (2009–19) and Assistant Keeper of the National Museum Wales.
The Welsh stepdance or Welsh clog dance is a traditional Welsh form of dance involving clog shoes and percussive movement of the feet and athletic movements. It is typically done to Welsh traditional music and wearing traditional Welsh costume, but not always.
Catherine Margretta Thomas was a Welsh folk dancer and is known for recording the Welsh dance of the Nantagrw tradition.
The Nantgarw dance tradition is a Welsh dancing tradition that originates from the Nantagarw area in south Wales.
Grace Gwyneddon Davies was a British singer and Welsh folk-song collector.