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Biography. News. Books. Awards. Events. Music. Art. Judge. Organisations. Articles

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 17 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 the popular work of psychogeography, Real Wrexham.

A native of Coedpoeth near Wrexham, now based in Cardiff 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 a Fellow and Governor 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.

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. __________________________________________________

London premiere for WW1 piece
Radio 3 broadcast

Fleet Street musical commission
New seasonal work for composer

Post-graduate course in Austria
Creativity seminar in Vienna

More news

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Books

• 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:

• 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.

• 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:

• 2018. 'Voices of Vimy' London premiere St Bride's, Fleet Street, and broadcast in full on BBC Radio 3
• 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, 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 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, words for commission by the National Eisteddfod 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 Words for 'The Shadows of War', a new commission by Paul Mealor 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 Words for 'Wrth Ddwr a Thân / By Water and Fire', composed by Paul Mealor 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

• 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>

• 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.

Judge

• 2015: Undercurrents Festival, Caerphilly county.
• 2014: Undercurrents Festival, Caerphilly county.
• 2014: Dylan Thomas International Poetry Award.
• 2011: Literature Medal at National Eisteddfod.
• 2011: Chair competition (learners) at National Eisteddfod.
• 2007: John Tripp Award for Spoken Poetry, Cardiff round.
• 2007: Wrexham Festival Poetry Competition, Welsh and English.
• 2006: Literature Medal at National Eisteddfod.
• 2005: Bafta Cymru judging panel: Best Magazine/Feature Programme
• 2005: Wrexham Festival Poetry Competition, Welsh and English.
• 2004: Chair of Welsh-language judging panel for Book of the Year Award.
• 2003: John Tripp Award for Spoken Poetry
• 2002: Eisteddfod Rhyng-Golegol, Free verse competitions.

Major articles and anthologies

• "North East Wales: Unfamiliar Complexities", The Welsh Agenda, Winter 2017, No 59, p 26-27.
• "Yr angen am wreiddiau" ("The need for roots"), article in E. Gwynn Matthews (ed) Argyfwng Hunaniaeth a Chred; Ysgrifau ar Athroniaeth J.R.Jones, (Y Lolfa, 2017) 143-161. Volume of essays about Identity and Belief in the work of the philosopher J.R.Jones.
• Poem, 'Coch', ('Red') in the new anthology The Old Red Tongue, (Francis Boutle, 2017), featuring 300 pieces of Welsh writing from the 6th Century to the present day, edited by Gwyn Griffiths and Meic Stephens with an introduction by Professor Dafydd Johnston.
• Entry on 'Irony' for the Esboniadur online encyclopaedia commissioned by Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, the national Welsh-language college, 2016.
• Entry on Bryan Martin Davies for the Bywgraffiadur, online Dictionary of Welsh Biography commissioned by the National Library of Wales, 2016.
• Four poems in Dodos and Dragons, (Aberystwyth University, 2016). Anthology of Mauritian and Welsh writing. Eds. Ameerah Arjanee, Mike Jenkins, Kavi Vadamootoo.
• Three poems in Fesul Gair, (Gomer, 2014). Anthology for Welsh GCSE students.
• 'In the Chapel of the Spirit'. Article on R.S Thomas in Ed. Ali Anwar Encounters with R.S., (H'mm Foundation, 2013). 
• Poems for R.S. A Centenary Celebration, (Hay Festival Press) 2013. Eleven writers respond to poems by R.S.Thomas to mark the centenary of his birth.
• 'Everything Must Change', in Eds. John Osmond and Peter Finch 25/25 Vision. Welsh Horizons across 50 years, (Institute of Welsh Affairs) 2012, 31-35.
• 'On Mohammed Farid Street, A response to David M Beddoe's The Lost Mameluke: A Tale of Egypt', New Welsh Review, #96 Summer 2012, 26-35.
• 'The Dragon and the Crescent', Arches Quarterly, Volume 4, Edition 8, Spring / Summer 2011, Europe's Islamic Past140-146.
• 'Wales and Islam', Planet, Number 201, February 2011, 104-114.
• 'The Novelist, the Nun and the Biscuit Tin', Eds. Valerie Henitiuk and Amanda Hopkinson, In Other Words, The Journal For Literary Translators, Number 30, Winter 2007, 74-79.
• 'Bryan Martin Davies', Ed. Robert Rhys, Y Patrwm Amryliw, Cyfrol 2, (Barddas, 2006), 91-101. Article on the poet Bryan Martin Davies.
• "'By Lightning Beneath the Sea': New Media in the Welsh language." Mercator Media Forum, Vol 9, (University of Wales Press, 2006), p.69-83. Ed. George Jones.
• "Cyfannu" and "Making Whole", Beyond the Difference, Welsh Literature in Comparative Contexts, Eds. Alyce von Rothkirch, Daniel Williams, (Univ. of Wales Press, 2004), 204-205. Two poems in a festschrift for Prof. M. Wynn Thomas.
• "Be 'Di Llyfr y Flwyddyn Rhwng Ffrindia'?' Barddas, No. 278, July / August 2004, 50-52. The experience of judging the Book of the Year competition.
• "Sleeping with the Enemy: The Tensions of Literary Translation", New Welsh Review, No 64, Summer 2004, 58-64. 
• "Dechreuadau: Y Gymraeg a'r Cyfryngau Newydd", Cyfrwng Media Wales Journal, Vol. 1, 2004, 26-41. Eds. James Thomas, Gwenno Ffrancon. New media in the Welsh language.
• Defining a Nation: Wales and the BBC, BBC Wales, 2004. Jointly edited with Patrick Hannan. Essays by various authors on the role of the BBC in Wales.
• "Welsh and Jewish: Responses to Wales by Jewish Writers", Culture and the State, University of Alberta, Edmonton, 2004, Volume 3, 211. Eds James Gifford, Gabrielle Zezulka-Mailloux. 
• "Borders in the Mind", Agenda, Spring 2004, 4-9. Border mentalities in Wales and elsewhere.
• Plamak (“Flame”), Number. 3-4, Bulgaria, 2002. Guest-edited edition of Bulgaria's leading literary magazine, devoted to writers from Wales. 
• “Bryan Martin Davies”, Mae'n Gêm o Ddau Fileniwm, Beirdd a Barddoniaeth, (Carreg Gwalch, 2002). Ed. Myrddin ap Dafydd.
•  “Adennill Tir”, Merthyr a Thaf, (Gomer, 2001). Ed. Hywel Teifi Edwards. Autobiographical essay on background in Merthyr Tydfil. 
• “Wythnos yng Nghymru’r Byd”: Chwileniwm (University of Wales Press, 2002). Ed. Angharad Price. New technology and the Welsh language.
• “Success against the odds”, New Welsh Review No. 55, 2002. A critical study of the best Welsh-language poets under 45. 
• “Rhagfur a Rhagfarn: gwrth-semitiaeth yng ngwaith Saunders Lewis, T.S.Eliot a Simone Weil”; Taliesin, No. 100, 2000. Anti-semitism in the work of Saunders Lewis, T.S.Eliot and Simone Weil.
• “Resident Aliens; R.S.Thomas and the Anti-Modern Movement”: Welsh Writing in English, 7/2001-2 Ed. Tony Brown.  
• “Minority Report"; Cardiff Central, ed Francesca Rhydderch, Gomer, 2003. Autobiograhical essay on background in Cardiff.
• The Bloodaxe Book of Modern Welsh Poetry, ed. John Rowlands and Menna Elfyn. Bloodaxe, 2003. Four poems and 11 translations in a major anthology of 20th Century Welsh-language poetry in English translation.  

Note: All Grahame Davies's travel and domestic and office energy use is carbon-balanced via the Woodland Trust.