Gathering the Jewels

October 19, 2003 3:00 AM

Gathering the Jewels. Welsh culture online. 'The goal of the project was to put the cream of Wales' cultural history, from repositories throughout Wales, on the Internet for people to learn from and enjoy. ' Politics, religion, sport, domestic life, emigration (the Welsh in Patagonia), the Welsh landscape etc. Via the 24 Hour Museum.
posted by plep (14 comments total)

I blame Dylan Thomas for my everlasting fascination with Wales, and I love this post. Though nothing I've seen so far can account for the complete soul-wrench that I get from his poetry, it's always fascinating to try to put together the jigsaw of environmental influences-plus experience- plus inspiration-plus artist.

I'm also curious - how many Welsh MeFites do we have?
posted by taz at 3:58 AM on October 19, 2003

fantastic post. Bookmarked to peruse when theres not so much very bad rugby being played by Wales to moan about in other places.


(so I guess that makes a hand up from me Taz)
posted by couch at 4:05 AM on October 19, 2003

how many Welsh MeFites do we have
Too many.
:-)

On the subject of Thomas'. Dylan was OK, but R.S was the man..
posted by seanyboy at 5:31 AM on October 19, 2003

albino moles, uvula forceps and mid-fifties myxomatosis in Montgomeryshire, oh my! " One lane was strewn with a hundred dead and dying rabbits every 100 yards."

Narrator: "It was indeed a decade of scientific, medical and gastronomic triumph for our allies, the irrepresible Welsh!"

*pitch-wavering closing theme dies as flapping sound indicates film splice failure, 8mm projector goes dark and ambient room noise drops15 decibels*
posted by quonsar at 5:49 AM on October 19, 2003

taz :- You may enjoy Morfablog, the world's first Welsh-language weblog...
posted by plep at 6:27 AM on October 19, 2003

As wonderful as the post and the site undoubtedly are ...

You cannot live in the present,
At least not in Wales.

The older I get the more I feel that the boy Thomas got it right.
posted by fullerine at 6:27 AM on October 19, 2003

On and off I've wanted to learn Welsh, all because of the Super Furry Animals' album Mwng (Placid Casual; 2000). When I listen I still want to sing along, but alas, 'tis all gibberish to me. (And, personally, I don't like what I've heard of the Furries' English-language albums.)
posted by Utilitaritron at 9:56 AM on October 19, 2003

This is great.
posted by clavdivs at 10:49 AM on October 19, 2003

Utilitaritron - the BBC has a whole area dedicated to learning the language. While it's not quite the same as going there, it may help you. Just remember to phlegm up before you try speaking it. There's an online Welsh - English dictionary there.

My mom is Welsh, I can pull off a "Croeso" and "diolch" if needed, but I'm sure I mangle the language completely when I do so.
posted by Salmonberry at 12:16 PM on October 19, 2003

Ah plep, you yourself are a jewel. Thanks for another sparkling post.
posted by Lynsey at 11:03 PM on October 19, 2003

I'm a Taffy, and, although I have decidedly mixed feelings about my birthplace, I do like this site. I happened upon it a couple of months back when I was looking for info about early Christian monuments.
posted by misteraitch at 12:08 AM on October 20, 2003

What a wealth of info. Thanks plep. There was an interesting article recently on Welsh genetics. They may not be who they thought they were.
posted by lobakgo at 1:08 PM on October 20, 2003

I'm also curious - how many Welsh MeFites do we have?

I'm married to a Welsh woman, does that count?
posted by turbanhead at 2:20 PM on October 20, 2003

Nice to see they've sorted out the awful navigation system they used to have. And loads of new stuff! I can almost see my house from here.

Another good site for Welsh learners is Clwb Malu Cachu. Their "how to swear in Welsh" crib sheet is good fun.
posted by ceiriog at 3:53 PM on October 20, 2003