Are you a writer or creative currently learning Welsh or interested in experimenting with bilingualism? Join clare e. potter, Joe Healy, Siôn Tomos Owen and Izzy Rabey for an honest, lively, and relevant talk about the challenges and the opportunities which arise when you take the creative plunge in Welsh.

During this hour-long talk, the Panel will explore the tension between upholding linguistic standards and the desire to create contemporary work which blends languages. They’ll share the obstacles they’ve faced such as lack of confidence and imposter syndrome and will delve into the unique creative opportunities which occur when using words and languages in a playful and experimental way.

The session is hosted through Zoom and will be free to attend on Tuesday, 22 November 2022 at 6.00pm – 7.15pm.

Live interpretation will be available during the session.

Please note: You must register for the event beforehand – it takes less than a minute.

Register now here.

This session is organised by Literature Wales, the national company for the development of literature. Further information about Literature Wales can be found here.

The event is organised as part of a series of public events programmed within the author development scheme, Representing Wales. Representing Wales is a 12-month programme that provides opportunities for underrepresented writers in the literary sector to develop their craft and understanding of the literature and publishing industry. The Representing Wales programme is funded by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Wales. Further information can be found here.

The Panel:

The Panel is made up of creative individuals with a wide range of experiences of using, learning, teaching and speaking Welsh.

clare e. potter (Chair)

clare e. potter bilingual poet, radio presenter, participatory artist, with a second poetry collection currently under offer. She received a Literature Wales bursary and a grant from the Society of Authors to complete the book. She is working on projects to facilitate well-being and writing through nature and is learning poetry therapy practice thanks to Arts Council funding.  She directed BBC Wales documentary about her village barber and will be presenting poetry programmes for BBC radio this year.  Twitter: @clare_potter

Joe Healy

Joe Healy is originally from Wimbledon. He came to Cardiff to study at university and decided to stay in the capital. He started learning Welsh in 2018, and today speaks the language with complete confidence, using it in all aspects of his life. He has also actively supported his colleagues and friends in learning Welsh. He was named Learner of the Year at the 2022 Ceredigion National Eisteddfod. Joe is passionate about Wales and the Welsh language, and is keen to see our language flourish in the future. He is also interested in politics. This year Joe began writing poems and songs in Welsh and bilingually, and is keen to encourage others to use Welsh, and other languages, in their creative work.

Siôn Tomos Owen

Siôn Tomos Owen grew up in the Rhondda Valley. He is a bilingual television and radio presenter and author of poetry, prose and books for Welsh learners. He is also a winemaker, illustrator and runs creative workshops and creates murals through his company CreaSion. He has just embarked on a new Llen Yn Lle/Lit in Place project with Literature Wales and WWF Cymru to create an illustrated diary of mental health group Welcome to Our Woods in the Saerbren Valley, Treherbert at the top of the Great Rhondda.

Izzy Rabey

Izzy (she/they) is a Queer Welsh speaker, director, applied theatre practitioner and music maker from Machynlleth in mid Wales. As a Director Izzy has worked with the Royal Court, National Theatre Wales, English Touring Theatre Company, Theatr Clwyd, Sherman Theatre, Chapter Arts Centre and The Other Room Theatre. They are also part of a band called The Mermerings with Molly McBreen and part of a neo soul and hip hop project with Eadyth Crawford. Izzy has worked with young people in the care system, autism units, pupil referral units, schools for neurodiverse young people, and psychiatric units for young people. She also currently co-facilitates Young Queens, a community poetry and drama group for Somali women in Cardiff.