“The secret was out. One of the greatest poets of the 20th century was one of our own.”
That’s how Gillian Clarke, the national poet of Wales since 2008, recalls her earliest introduction to the work of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. She was listening to a broadcast of Under Milk Wood, a 1950s radio drama Dylan wrote about the fictional village of Llareggub. (“Bugger all” spelled backward; an insight into the poet’s tendency toward irreverence.)
“It was one of the turning points that reset the course of my life,” Clarke revealed during preparations for Dylan Thomas 100, a months-long celebration of the 100th anniversary of the poet’s birth on Oct. 27. “I knew those people, recognized the way they spoke, heard my Carmarthenshire grandmother, aunts and uncles in the habits and humor of their speech.”
The Welsh government is leading Dylan Thomas 100 in partnership with local Welsh communities and organizations to celebrate the life and times of Dylan Thomas. Highlights of the festival, an expansive roster of theater performances, visual arts, comedy, television, film and exhibitions at locations in Wales and around the world, include:
Dylan Weekends: A series of weekend festivals in Laugharne, Wales, where Thomas lived from 1949 until his death in 1953
A Dylan Odyssey: Trips and stays hosted by Literature Wales, including kayaking from Laugharne to Llansteffan, jazz and beat poetry in Oxford and a behind-the-scenes tour of the National Museum Wales
Dylanathon: A photo marathon celebrating Thomas’s life and work, at his birthplace, 5 Cwmdonkin Drive in Swansea, Wales
Dylan: Poetry and Jazz: An afternoon with the Jen Wilson Jazz Ensemble and readings by Dylan Thomas expert and poet Peter Thabit Jones at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, Wales
A Portrait of the Artist: An exhibit of unconventional portraits at the Elysium Gallery featuring the artist as the lead actor or director, a protagonist or antagonist and navigating through an uncertain future
A Child’s Christmas in Wales: A stage production of Thomas’s anecdotal recollection of a childhood Christmas
Find a comprehensive calendar of events at dylanthomas100.org.
Read This Next
Lotte Hotel Seoul
2014 / February 2014
Jun 1, 2016All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedMarch 2024
Mar 27, 2024Udaipur Unveiled: A Walking Tour in Rajasthan’s Most Romantic City Reveals Its Many Layers
Anyone who makes their way to Rajasthan in northern India has likely heard of Udaipur’s allure. The city revered for its lakes and marble palaces is considered by many who know not only the Indian subcontinent but the planet as a whole to be the most spectacularly romantic city on Earth.
Sponsored Content
Revel in a European Summer with AmaWaterways
Pedal through sun-drenched vineyards, hike amidst blooming wildflowers and take a refreshing dip in your ship's sun-deck whirlpool. Indulge in the flavors of the region with delectable dishes featuring luscious Wachau Valley apricots and succulent Serbian plums. As night falls, watch as the cities along the rivers come alive, pulsating with an irresistible electric energy. The sun-soaked days and vibrant nights offer a compelling reason to embark on an AmaWaterways river cruise during the upcoming summer months.
Daily
Mar 27, 2024Go Island Hopping in Spain with Meliá Hotels International
It’s time to start planning summer travel. Consider a chic island getaway off the coast of Spain. Spain’s Meliá Hotels International offers a collection of hotels throughout the islands that highlight the Spanish lifestyle.
Daily
Mar 27, 2024“Deal or No Deal” Interactive Game Show Comes to Holland America Line
Holland America Line expands its entertainment offerings by launching the game show brand Deal or No Deal on nine ships. TimePlay, an entertainment software company, powers the show format, with a highly adaptable design and strong brand identity, on more than 85 ships worldwide.
Sponsored Content
Briggs & Riley: Elevate Your Journey with Quality Luggage
Embracing a life well lived often means embracing a life well-traveled. Every journey becomes a canvas for experiences that shape our lives and at the heart of every adventure lies the indispensable companion: quality luggage.
eFlyer Reviews
Mar 27, 2024Hotel Indigo La Paz Puerta Cortés Review
Hotel Indigo La Paz Puerta Cortés is an oasis where the desert meets the sea, nestled between the Sea of Cortez and La Paz Bay in Mexico. With an emphasis on providing guests a relaxing experience through wellness and culture activities, the hotel is a short 10-minute drive from Downtown La Paz, Mexico. Upon entrance under the porte cochere you are greeted with a palette of whites and browns, a theme constant throughout the property.
Japan Airlines Purchases 32 Airbus, 10 Boeing
eFlyer News
Mar 27, 2024eFlyer Lead
Mar 27, 2024Aeromexico Named Most Punctual Airline in the World
Cirium, a global aviation analytics company, recently released the most on-time airlines in the world for early 2024. The study found Aeromexico as the most improved airline in February, with a 90.66 percent on-time performance, a 12.5-point increase in on-time performance over January 2024.
Sponsored Content
Fill Your Heart with Ireland
Whether it's the people, the craic (fun) or the coasts, travelers always find something to love about the island of Ireland. What fills your heart?
Daily
Mar 27, 2024Hyatt Regency Chicago Unveils Renovations This Spring
Half a century ago, several architecturally significant buildings not only changed the face of Chicago but also reintroduced the city as a world-class travel destination. Roughly a year after the Sears Tower (now Willis Tower) emerged as the then world’s tallest building, Hyatt Regency Chicago opened its doors in August 1974. A second tower was constructed in 1980, making it one of the most ambitious hotels the city had seen, down to its above-ground skyway and underground concourse.
ShareThis