Based on Literature Wales’ successful Slam Cymru project, each school had a slam poetry captain – Anni Llŷn, Bardd Plant Cymru (Welsh language Children’s Poet Laureate) captained Ysgol Gartholwg; Chaired poet Aneirin Karadog captained Ysgol Cwm Rhymni; while Eisteddfod yr Urdd Chaired poet, Gwynfor Dafydd captained Ysgol Gwynllyw. They helped the pupils to workshop poems that captured the spirit of Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s production of Macbeth in preparation for the slam grand final on Friday 10 March.
The final was held in the atmospheric Great Hall of Caerphilly Castle, the same room used by Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru to stage Macbeth. In an afternoon full of creativity, poems were heard from each team, covering a wide range of subjects including gender equality, capitalism and greed. The captains also performed. Judging the competition were poets and performers clare e. potter and Rufus Mufasa and Associate Producer of the Theatr Genedlaethol, Fflur Thomas.
After a close battle, Ysgol Cwm Rhymni, were crowned the Cipio’r Castell: Brwydr Slam winners. You can watch their winning Slam here:
Aneirin Karadog, who also MC’d the final said: “The experience of taking part in the poetry Slam at Caerphilly Castle brought poetry to life, and I hope the young poets felt that and that poetry isn’t only something to read on paper for them.”
After a close battle, Ysgol Cwm Rhymni, were crowned the Cipio’r Castell: Brwydr Slam winners. They received an additional creative writing workshop with Sophie Mckeand, Young People’s Laureate for Wales.