thanks for the session yesterday evening – I came along determined to learn something new which I did (new words, ideas on format, punctuation, subject matter, how important the title is) – it isn’t always easy being constructive as nobody wants to upset anybody
apologies to Jonathan I should have explained “Urdd” in a bit more detail and thanks for asking – there is the International Eisteddfod which is held at Llangollen every year and includes performers from all over the world; then there is the Eisteddfod which travels round Wales and has a pink tent; and then there is the Urdd Eisteddfod for younger people which also travels round Wales coming to north and south Wales on alternate years – poetry, music, dancing – all in Welsh so it is difficult if you don’t speak Welsh – it has just been staged at Bala and they put it on S4C (the Welsh TV channel) – they hold regional heats and the winners get through to perform on the stage – there is emphasis on Welsh culture and the competition includes things like clog dancing – amongst my friends who are Welsh some of them think it’s great and some of them get all political about it but that is a discussion for another time … hope that helps and apologies if I have got any of the facts wrong – if you type in Urdd.org the website comes up
which goes to show how important the title is – if you don’t know what the Urdd is then you aren’t going to read the poem (well I wouldn’t)
Thank you, Sarah… I googled it before the meeting but wouldn’t have understood otherwise. Not sure how to solve this dilemma. I suppose it depends on who your intended audience is… a Welsh audience, urdd.org wouldn’t be a problem!
which has got me thinking (dangerous) – on Monday there were 2 poems with Greek references in them and nobody batted an eyelid – it seemed nobody (perhaps people did but they just didn’t say) knew what the Urdd is even (okay some had Googled beforehand) though we are called “Cross Border” Poets – language isn’t much use if it doesn’t connect with people – personally I find Greek references way off the scale of my daily existence just as the Welsh reference was patently way off the scale for others (and it has taken me a while t get to grips with the different Eisteddfods which are held around Wales) – interesting isn’t it and the thing about poetry is you just don’t know until you get it out there – but having read that you should never underestimate your audience when you are writing prose I think I will stick to that mantra in poetry too – take a risk!
I agree, never underestimate.