The initial meeting was in 2016 at Oriel y Parc, with the support and involvement of Jonathan Jones, Gwyneth Hayward, Bishop Wyn Evans, Ian Panton, Rod Williams and many others.
The discussion was quite well constructed, with all participants asked to write down five keywords and to contribute creatively. We then tried to assess which keywords were most commonly proposed, and went through a process of elimination and refinement in an interesting and good humoured dabate.
After much deliberation over a period of three years, this is what we came up with as a representation of Welsh national identity:
"Wales is a small country on the Celtic fringe of Europe with magnificent landscapes and rich natural resources. It is too close to England to have remained truly independent, and not far enough away for bloody rebellions ever to have succeeded. Throughout its history it has fought to resist the depredations of powerful neighbours; and against all the odds it has retained its language, its culture and its pride whilst encouraging toleration and liberal values and adapting to dramatic change. It has learned how to be subversive and seductive, and how to be spiritual and mischievous at the same time. In its history it has not suffered the same deep traumas as Scotland and Ireland. Its people are romantics, prone to wild swings of emotion; both melancholia and euphoria feature in the national psyche. Welsh people have a powerful "sense of place" and an abiding fondness for family histories, legends, ceremonial and ancient traditions. Eccentricity is embraced, while great value is placed upon learning. There is a tendency towards radical protest and an ever-present desire for social reform. Ultimately, Wales wants the respect of others -- and to be left in peace to enjoy and endure its own strange obsessions.”
"Wales is a small country on the Celtic fringe of Europe with magnificent landscapes and rich natural resources. It is too close to England to have remained truly independent, and not far enough away for bloody rebellions ever to have succeeded. Throughout its history it has fought to resist the depredations of powerful neighbours; and against all the odds it has retained its language, its culture and its pride whilst encouraging toleration and liberal values and adapting to dramatic change. It has learned how to be subversive and seductive, and how to be spiritual and mischievous at the same time. In its history it has not suffered the same deep traumas as Scotland and Ireland. Its people are romantics, prone to wild swings of emotion; both melancholia and euphoria feature in the national psyche. Welsh people have a powerful "sense of place" and an abiding fondness for family histories, legends, ceremonial and ancient traditions. Eccentricity is embraced, while great value is placed upon learning. There is a tendency towards radical protest and an ever-present desire for social reform. Ultimately, Wales wants the respect of others -- and to be left in peace to enjoy and endure its own strange obsessions.”
The process -- initially hosted by Oriel y Parc -- was all very informal, with no official involvement and no status whatsoever, but just for fun let's call it "The St Davids Accord"............
I have always seen the Angel Mountain saga as an allegory, with all of those themes built into the narrative and into the character of Martha Morgan, her angels and even her enemies.........
Martha could not possibly have been Irish, Scottish or English. So let's celebrate that as we read and discuss the Angel Mountain novels. Let's hope we can celebrate it again as we watch the big TV serialised drama that is bound to come!
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