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____________________________________________________
Biography.
News. Books.
Awards. Events. Music.
Art. Judge. Organisations.
Articles
Biography
Winner
of Wales Arts Council's Book of the Year Award
 Grahame
Davies is a Welsh poet, author and lyricist, who has won numerous prizes,
including the Wales Book of the Year Award.
He is the
author of 18 books in Welsh and English, including: The Chosen People,
a study of the relationship of the Welsh and Jewish peoples; The Dragon
and the Crescent, a study of Wales and Islam; a novel, Everything
Must Change, about the French philosopher Simone Weil, and two popular
works of psychogeography, Real Wrexham, and Real Cambridge
A native
of Coedpoeth near Wrexham, now based in Powys and London, he has a degree
in English from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, and a PhD from Cardiff
University, where he was an honorary fellow in the department of religious
studies.
He was awarded
an honorary D.Litt from Anglia Ruskin University, and is the
Vice-President of Goodenough College, London. He travels internationally as
a reader and lecturer, carries out numerous high-profile poetry commissions,
and collaborates extensively with musical and visual artists. In 2020,
he was awarded the LVO (Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order) in the
Queen's Birthday Honours.
His poetry
has been translated into many languages and has appeared in publications
such as: The Times, The Times Literary Supplement, The
Guardian, Poetry London, the Literary Review in America,
Orbis (#136 Spring 2006), Yearbook of Welsh Writing in English,
Absinthe (Michigan, USA, 2007), Kalliope (Germany, 2009),
Poetry Review, and Everyman's Library Pocket Poets series Villanelles
(2012). His work is widely anthologised and is on the education syllabus
in Wales. __________________________________________________
News
Real Cambridge published
Psychogeography of changing city
Poem sequence for Covid-19 concert
Festival commission to accompany Faure's Requiem
Commission to celebrate Church's
Centenary
Words for Paul Mealor's 'O Beata Trinitas' Books
-
Real Cambridge (Seren, 2021) a volume of
psychogeography in the Real series, edited by Peter Finch.
- Alcemi
Dwr / Alchemy of Water (Gomer, 2013). With Tony Curtis, a bilingual
book of poems about Welsh lakes, rivers, shorelines and waterfalls,
with pictures by Mari Owen and Carl Ryan.
- Lightning
Beneath the Sea (Seren, 2012), first full-length book of poetry
in English.
- The
Dragon and the Crescent (Seren, 2011), an extensive study of the
relationship between the Welsh people and Islam as reflected in literature.
- Real
Wrexham (Seren, 2007), a work of psychogeography in the Real series
edited by Peter Finch. Reprinted 2009.
- Everything
Must Change (Seren, 2007), an English-language novel based on Rhaid
i Bopeth Newid.
- Gwyl
y Blaidd / Festival of the Wolf, Eds. Tom Cheesman, Grahame Davies
and Sylvie Hoffman (Parthian/Hafan, 2006). An anthology of work by and
about refugees and asylum seekers in Wales.
- Achos,
(Barddas, 2005), third volume of original Welsh-language poetry.
- The
Big Book of Cardiff, Eds. Peter Finch & Grahame Davies (Seren, 2005),
an anthology of contemporary writing about Cardiff.
- Rhaid
i Bopeth Newid, (Gomer, 2004), first novel, longlisted for the £10,000
Book of the Year prize, 2005.
- Nel
país de la borrina. (VTP Editorial, 2004) selection of Welsh poetry
in Asturian translation.
- No
país da brétema (VTP Editorial, 2004) selection of Welsh poetry
in Galician translation.
- Ffiniau/Borders,
(Gomer, 2002), a bilingual volume of poetry jointly with Elin ap Hywel.
- The
Chosen People, (Seren, 2002), a study of the relationship of the
Welsh and the Jewish people as reflected in literature.
- Cadwyni
Rhyddid, (Barddas, 2001), second volume of Welsh-language poetry,
winner of the Wales Arts Council's 2002 Book of the Year award at the
Hay on Wye Festival of Literature, together with a prize of £3,000.
Reprinted 2001.
- Oxygen,
(Seren, 2000). With Amy Wack a bilingual anthology of Welsh poets aged
under 45.
- Sefyll
yn y Bwlch, (University of Wales Press, 1999), a study of the anti-modern
movement in the 20th Century, as seen in the work of R.S.Thomas, Saunders
Lewis, T.S. Eliot and Simone Weil.
- Adennill
Tir, (Barddas, 1997), first Welsh-language poetry book, awarded
the Harri Webb Memorial Prize.
Major
Awards, Scholarships etc:
-
2020: Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO), The Queen's
Birthday Honours
-
2017:
Poem Suitable for Song prize. National Eisteddfod of Wales
- 2016:
Sonnet prize, National
Eisteddfod of Wales
- 2011:
Literature Wales Bursary for poetry project.
- 2010:
Honorary D.Litt. Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge
- 2009:
Ruth Howarth Literature Award for Real Wrexham
- 2008:
Honorary Research Fellowship, Cardiff University.
- 2007:
Academi Bursary Award for Wales and the Muslims.
- 2004:
Academi Bursary Award for Everything Must Change
- 2004:
Fellowship of Goodenough College, London.
- 2004:
Poem of tribute, National Eisteddfod of Wales.
- 2004:
Longlist for Book of the Year award for Rhaid i Bopeth Newid
- 2002:
Welsh Arts Council Book of the Year Award for Cadwyni Rhyddid.
- 2001:
Winner, Stomp Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Dinbych, Yr Academi.
- 1998:
Welsh Arts Council Writer's Bursary Award for Wales and the Jews.
- 1997:
Harri Webb Memorial Poetry Prize for Adennill Tir.
- 1994:
Vers Libre Prize at National Eisteddfod of Wales.
Major
Commissions, Residencies, Visits, Festivals, Lectures.
- 2021
Lecture to The Honourable Society of Cymmrododion, Wales and Islam.
-
2020 North Wales International Music Festival,
St Asaph Readings and interview
- 2019
Residency at Jam on the Marsh Festival, New Romney, Kent
-
2018
Residency at Jam on the Marsh Festival, New Romney, Kent
- 2018
Hiraeth-
Erzolirzoli Wales-Cameroon anthology, edited by Eric Ngalle
Charles
- 2018
Museum of the Moon reading, Tintern Abbey, for Wye Valley Festival
- 2017 Teaching
three-day creativity seminar in Vienna, Austria, for Goodenough College,
London.
- 2016 Sequence
commissioned to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster,
with Tony Curtis and photographs by I.C. Rapoport
- 2016 Edge
Festival, Solva, Pembrokeshire
- 2016 Llangwm
Festival, Pembrokeshire
- 2016 Keynote
speech at opening of international conference of the British Institute
of Middle Eastern Studies, Lampeter.
- 2016:
Chairing British Council discussion on Shakespeare and Wales at Chapter
Arts Centre, Cardiff, with Gwyneth Lewis and Rakie Ayola.
- 2016:
Reading with Kevin Crossley Holland, Temenos Academy, Lincoln Centre,
London.
- 2014:
Reading with Kevin Crossley Holland, Pembroke College, Cambridge Festival
of Ideas
- 2014:
'Meddwl' philosophy conference, Aberystwyth
- 2014:
Poem for Sacred Site and Sound Festival, Tintern.
- 2013:
Poem for 'Ode to Samarkand' festival, Uzbekistan.
- 2013:
Cambridge Festival of Ideas.
- 2013:
Chelmsford Festival of Ideas.
- 2013:
PENfro Literary Festival, Pembrokeshire.
- 2013:
Hay Festival, launch of Alchemy of Water and R.S.Thomas centenary
event
- 2012:
Guardian Poem of the Week, 'Departed'.
- 2011:
Oxfam Poetry series, London.
- 2011:
Cambridge Festival of Ideas, Panel discussion on mythology.
- 2011:
Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, Aberystwyth, 'The Crescent
and the Welsh.'
- 2011:
Cambridge Muslim College; 'Wales and Islam'.
- 2011:
Carnhuanawc Lecture; 'Wales and Islam': Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru.
- 2011:
Lecture on Bryan Martin Davies with Elin ap Hywel, Eisteddfod Genedlaethol
Cymru
- 2011:
BBC Wales All Things Considered programme.
- 2011:
Hay Festival, session on The Dragon and the Crescent
- 2010:
'On the Border' series session with John Hegley at Chepstow.
- 2010:
Half-hour BBC Radio Four Great Lives programme about Simone Weil,
with Eleanor Bron.
- 2009:
North American tour: readings and artistic collaborations in Pennsylvania,
Vermont and New York. Wales Arts International.
- 2009:
Greenbelt Festival, Cheltenham, UK.
- 2009:
Harvard University, U.S.A. Lecture.
- 2008:
Readings in Guglionesi, Italy.
- 2008:
Five literary readings in Argentina.
- 2007:
North American tour: readings and launch of Everything Must Change
in Delta, Pennsylvania; Westport, Connecticut, and Chrysler Building,
New York, and lecture at Yale University, Massachussetts. Wales Arts
International.
- 2007:
Memorial Poem for Children's Commissioner for Wales.
- 2007:
Hay on Wye Festival of Literature, Readings. Launch of 'Poets' Portraits'
exhibition.
- 2007.
Imperial College, London. Lecture.
- 2007:
Artist in Residence in Summer school of the British Centre for Literary
Translation, University of East Anglia, Norwich.
- 2007:
Subject of half-hour BBC Wales All Things Considered programme
- 2006:
Delta, Pennsylvania. Readings
- 2006.
Cape Town, South Africa. University of the Western Cape. Lecture.
- 2005:
Madrid, Spain. Launch of La Pais de la Borrina. British Council.
- 2005:
Canu'n Rhydd conference, Llandudno, Academi. Readings and panel.
- 2005.
Limerick University, Ireland. Lecture.
- 2004:
Poesiefestival, Berlin. Translation workshops and readings. British
Council / Welsh Literature Abroad
- 2004:
Israel and Palestine. Fact-finding visit. Israeli Foreign Ministry.
- 2004:
Greenbelt Arts Festival, Cheltenham. Readings and workshops.
- 2004:
NAASWCH Conference, Morgantown, WV, USA. Lectures.
- 2004.
Subject of half-hour Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol programme
- 2003:
Commission by Academi for Great Cardiff Poem
- 2003;
Commission by HRH Prince of Wales for poem for Llangollen Eisteddfod.
- 2003:
Edmonton, Canada. Lecture and readings at 'Culture and the State' conference.
British Council.
- 2002:
Sofia, Bulgaria. Readings and launch of Plamak Welsh edition.
British Council.
- 2002:
Lublin, Poland. Lecture. British Council.
- 2002:
NAASWCH conference, Syracuse, NY. U.S.A. Two lectures.
- 2002:
College of William and Mary, Williamsburg. U.S.A. Lecture.
- 2002:
Commission by Wales Millennium Centre for poem for laying of foundation
stone.
- 2002.
Hay on Wye Festival of Literature, Readings.
- 2001:
Argentina, British Council.
- 2001:
European Round Table on Poetry, Riga, Latvia. Readings. British Council.
- 2000:
Wexford, Ireland. Reading. Academi.
- 2000:
Royal Festival Hall, London. Reading.
Musical
collaborations:
- 2021.
Major choral work, 'In This Place' with Paul Mealor, commissioned by
Marlborough College for premiere on March 20, 2022.
- 2021.
Musical theatre show with Eilir Owen-Griffiths for Côr
CF1 and MA students of University of Wales Trinity St David.
2021 Song
commission 'Between the Valley and the Sea' with Robert Arwyn for
Barry Male Voice Choir.
2021.
Song commission 'The Blessing of Belonging with Paul Mealor for
Cantorion Rhos conducted by Matthias Wurz.
2021. Commission with Jack Oades to celebrate Romney Marsh for the JAM on
the Marsh Festival in Kent,
premiered in July 2021.
2020.
Commission, 'O Beata Trinitas' with Paul Mealor to commemorate the
centenary of the founding of the Church in Wales, premiered at special
service at St Davids Cathedral in July 2021 in the presence of HRH The
Prince of Wales.
2020.
Commission of new sequence of poems in response to the Covid-19
pandemic to accompany a performance of Faure's Requiem at the JAM on
the Marsh Festival in Kent, to be premiered August 14, 2020.
2020.
"Stronger for the Storm", composed with Paul Mealor for the
international peace project
iPlay4Peace.
2020.
Commission with Paul Mealor
to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath, Scotland,
for performance in April 2021.
2020.
Commission of 'Song of the Oceans' with Paul Mealor for 'Science
Sings' at the University of Aberdeen honorary degree ceremony, January 2020.
Later recorded with the Philharmonia Orchestra in 2021.
2019.
Premiere of 'Song for Samhain' by composer Celia Harper for the Music
and Silence concert by Chiswick Baroque at the church of St Vincent de
Paul, Osterley, London, November 3rd 2019.
2018.
The Souls of the Righteous' New York premiere of Mass by Paul Mealor
to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice commissioned by the Chapel
Royal of Scotland, Carnegie Hall, New York, November 11.
2018.
'A Glasgow Elegy' premiere of new choral work by Tom Harrold with
words by Grahame Davies to
commemorate the centenary of the Armistice, commissioned by Glasgow
University, Glasgow, November 10.
2018.
'The Souls of the Righteous' Edinburgh premiere of Mass by Paul Mealor
with words by Grahame Davies to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice commissioned by the
Chapel Royal of Scotland, Edinburgh, September 22.
2018.
'Voices of Vimy' London premiere St Bride's, Fleet Street, and broadcast
in full on BBC Radio 3.
2018 'A Song for the Lord Mayor of London', by
Paul Carroll for the Commonwealth Children's Choir to mark the
Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London.
2017.
Carol by composer Jack Oades, with words by Grahame Davies, performed
at St Bride's, Fleet Street, London, on December 21st
2017
'Voices of Vimy', words for commission to commemorate the centenary
of the Battle of Vimy Ridge with composers Tom Harrold and Stuart Beatch,
with words by Grahame Davies
for ProCro Canada and the JAM Festival.
2017.
'Propempticon' by Grahame Davies set to music by Kevin Hutchings, the
Canadian singer-songwriter, for his new album Watershed Sessions.
2017
Words for 'Jack', a song by Paul Carroll with words by Grahame Davies in memory of Jack Cornwell,
who won the VC at the Battle of Jutland in 1916, performed by the Commonwealth
Youth Choir and the band of the Coldstream Guards, yn Horseguards Parade,
London, to mark Commonwealth Day.
2017
'Gorffwysgan Hedd Wyn', by Paul Mealor, with words by Grahame Davies,
commissioned by the
National Eisteddfod of Wales to commemorate the centenary of the death of the
Welsh war poet Hedd Wyn.
2016
'The Shadows of War', by Paul Mealor, Welsh premiere at St David's Hall,
Cardiff, with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by
Owain Arwel Hughes.
2016
'The Shadows of War', a new commission by Paul Mealor with words by
Grahame Davies to commemorate
the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, Jam on the Marsh Festival,
New Romney, Kent, with the London Mozart Players and the Mousai Singers.
2016
'Wrth Ddwr a Thân / By Water and Fire', composed by
Paul Mealor with words by Grahame Davies commissioned for the opening of the Fifth National Assembly for Wales
by Her Majesty The Queen, Y Senedd, Cardiff, June 7, 2016.
2016
Words for section of new choral work 'Jubilate Deo' by Paul Mealor for
The Distinguished Concerts Orchestra and Distinguished Concerts Singers
International, conducted by the Grammy-nominated Dr James Jordan, at
Carnegie Hall, New York.
2016
Words for new choral work by Paul Carroll for the 90th Birthday of Her
Majesty The Queen for the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra and Choir.
2015
Settings of 'Weather Forecast', 'Waiting' and 'Propempticon' by composer
Celia Harper, performed by mezzo soprano Claire Bradshaw and violinist
David Juritz at Burton Bradstock Festival in Dorset
2014:
Words for 'Spirit of Hope' by Paul Mealor to mark 20 years of democracy
in South Africa, premiered in Cape Town in April with Only Kids Aloud
and Bryn Terfel.
2013:
Words for 'A Welsh Prayer' by Paul Mealor to mark the 65th birthday
of HRH The Prince of Wales, at North Wales Music Festival, St Asaph.
2013:
'When you have to leave"' set to music by Canadian singer-songwriter
Kevin Hutchings for the album, Shadows in the Light.
2012:
Words for 'The Hero's Journey', a new choral work by Sir Karl Jenkins,
performed by a 500-voice male choir at Royal Festival Hall, London,
on July 7, 2012, and a 1,000-voice choir at the Royal Albert Hall, London,
on October 13, 2012.
2012:
Words for multi-media project about Gelligaer Common with visual artist
Gigi Jones, composer Mervyn Burtch and poet Tony Curtis.
2011:
Words for part of the score by Sir Karl Jenkins for the BBC Wales television
history series, The Story of Wales.
2011:
Words for 'Benedictus' in Celtic Mass by U.S. choral and orchestral
composer Ben Allaway
2010:
'Homecoming' set to music by Canadian singer-songwriter Kevin Hutchings
for the album, Light to Shine.
2010:
Words based on sacred literature from several religions for a new setting
of the Gloria by Sir Karl Jenkins, performed for the first time
in the Royal Albert Hall, London, July 11, 2010.
2009 English
words for a recording of Sir Karl Jenkins' 'Cantilena' by the pop star
Rhydian for the album O Fortuna on the Syco Label.
2009:
Words for a new commissioned choral work by Sir Karl Jenkins, 'Ysbrydoliaeth'
('Inspiration') performed at the Wales Millennium Centre, November 14.
2009:
Words for 'O Beata Trinitas' for Sir Karl Jenkins to mark university
status of Trinity College, Carmarthen.
2009 Several
poems set to music for album of Kevin Hutchings, Canada, On the Bridge
You Were Burning.
2008:
Commission to provide words and translations for a new setting of the
Stabat Mater by Sir Karl Jenkins as part of the events for European
City of Culture, Liverpool, 2008. Published on album Stabat Mater
(EMI Classics).
2008:
Lyrics for a number of songs for the album Adnodau gyda Blodau
for the rock band Catsgam.
2007:
Welsh words for a new setting of the Largo from the New World Symphony
by Dvorak, and for a new setting of 'Cantilena', by Sir Karl Jenkins
on album This Land of Ours (EMI Classics).
2007:
Panellist on day school on the libretto, for Academi and Music Theatre
Wales.
2006:
Welsh translation of 'The Mystics' performed by Dame Kiri te Kanawa
on the Karl Jenkins album Kiri Sings Karl. (EMI Classics).
2006:
Poems set to music by rock band Malarki on album Malarki.
2005:
Sir Karl Jenkins album, Requiem, (EMI Classics), including a
setting of the poem 'Llwyd', reaches Number One in the classical charts.
2005:
Commission from Opus and Barcud Derwen for opera libretto Taliesin
for Sir Karl Jenkins.
Visual
and public art collaborations
- 2020:
Poems for a mural artwork by artist Ceri Davies for the Secular
Pilgrimage project at Tintern Abbey, Monmouthshire.
- 2018:
Collaboration with artist Kate Walters for the JAM on the Marsh
Festival, Kent, July 2018.
- 2017:
Painting of Grahame Davies by Roy Guy installed at the Soar Welsh-language
cultural centre, Merthyr Tydfil
- 2016:
Work on public poetry for artworks by sculptor Rebecca Gouldson in Merthyr
Tydfil
- 2014:
Poem for painting by Roy Guy commemorating Prince of Wales Colliery
disaster, Newbridge Memorial Hall
- 2012:
Words for sculptures on artwork trail in Brecon to mark the year of
the 2012 Olympics
- 2011 Words
for sculptures by Adam Williamson along Green Journeys cycle path at
Maesteg.
- 2009 Commission
for Welsh words for statue of Ivor Novello at Wales Millennium Centre,
Cardiff.
- 2008 Poems
are incorporated into sculptured benches as part of redevelopment of
Merthyr Tydfil town centre.
- 2008:
Collaboration with the visual artist Helen Stiff for Eisteddfod Genedlaethol
Cymru.
- 2006.Poem
commissioned by the sculptor Nigel Talbot and included in his artwork
as part of his exhibition Salvage..
- 2006:
A portrait of Grahame Davies by Lorraine Bewsey is one of 20 pictures
in her exhibition, Portreadau'r Beirdd / Poets' Portraits.
- 2004:
Poems included on sculptures by Nigel Talbot at several locations on
the Taff Trail, at Abercynon, Aberfan, Cefn Coed y Cymmer.
Membership
of organisations
- 2020 -
Vice-President, Goodenough College, London.
- 2019 -
Governor and Trustee, Goodenough College, London.
- 2017 -
Chairman of Academic Committee, Goodenough College, London.
- 2014 -
Vice-President Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
- 2013 -
Governor, Goodenough College.
- 2011-2012:
Board of Literature Wales.
- 2008-2011:
Honorary research fellowship, Cardiff University.
- 2007-2012:
National Library of Wales Advisory Board
- 2006-2009:
Board of Displaced People in Action.
- 2006-
Society of Authors
- 2005-2011:
Board of the Academi
- 2004-
Fellowship of Goodenough College, London.
- 2003-2008:
Management committee of Cyfrwng, the media journal in Wales
- 2002-
Associate Lecturer, Creative Writing, Welsh Department, Cardiff University.
- 2002-2012
BAFTA Cymru
- 2002-2006
Standing Liturgical Advisory Committee of the Church in Wales
- 2001-2006
External Examiner, Media and Communication Course, MA and BA, University
of Wales, Bangor
- 1997:
Membership of the Welsh Academi.
- 1997-2002
Welsh-language Editor Poetry Wales magazine.
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