Editorial by Mick Tems

As August draws to a close and crisp Autumn draws in with its russets, golds and swiftly approaching darkness, I can look back in satisfaction at the way in which Welsh folk stood us proud, held its head up high and waved the Ddraig Goch for publicity purposes, if not for the Whole Welsh nation. That fabulous, moving launch for Ffylantin-tŵ held in Tŷ Gwerin, trac’s Eisteddfod marquee, in honour of Meredydd Evans and Phyllis Kinney, was a triumph. Merêd and Phyllis are icons in the Welsh traditional scene; the two of them have researched and written absorbing and stimulating books which are vital to Wales and the Welsh traditions, Merêd’s Hela’r Hen Ganeuon and Phyllis’s Welsh Traditional Music - both, as editor Robin Huw Bowen says: “jewels in the crown of research and academic discussion on our traditional music-making.”

The launch of Ffylantin-tŵ! took place on the Thursday, and it was on the Friday, at the crowning of the bard ceremony, that a joyous flashmob took over the rarified atmosphere of the Pavilion; well over two hundred cloggers demonstrating to the crowded audience the exhilaration of a damn good dance. There are great arguments and discussions raging about the strict choreography, engineered by the Eisteddfod and the judges, which some say has stultified Welsh dance (I speak from experience, many years back, when one of the judges criticised my diatonic accordion as being “too English” – but if the dance judges will allow a grand piano or piano-accordion, surely the comment must follow that these instruments are “too classical” or “too Italian”? This does not compute!)

Highbrow Eisteddfod “art” notwithstanding, Welsh dance teams Parti Dawnswyr Aberesc and Tipyn O Bopeth have journeyed to gigantic and successful festivals in Cork, Sidmouth and Whitby, taking the tradition out and really having fun, a riot, with the public. The oft-repeated question made to Aberesc was: “Will you be back next year?” I sincerely hope so!

On another point: Folkwales Online Magazine is starting discussions with trac's director, Danny Kilbride, about the possibility of providing  Welsh translations to Folkwales' news items, reviews and features. Watch this space...