Susan Robeson yn yr Eisteddfod / Susan Robeson at the National Eisteddfod

Thanks to the sterling work of the University’s Welsh Language Officers, Swansea University had much higher profile at this year’s National Eisteddfod at Ebbw Vale than ever before. A successful, packed, Alumni event with Jason Mohammed and the launch of Academi Hywel Teifi with Huw Edwards were among the highlights, and the week came to a magnificent climax with Dr Tudur Hallam of the Welsh department winning the Chair for his long poem in tribute to Professor Hywel Teifi Edwards.

CREW also played a prominent part in proceedings. The Eisteddfod had last visited Ebbw Vale in 1958, and the Gymanfa Ganu (singing festival) of that year is particularly remembered due to the presence of the African American singer and activist Paul Robeson, who was introduced to the audience by Aneurin Bevan. Swansea University had the honour of the presence of Paul Robeson’s granddaughter, Susan, at our tent throughout the week. In the proceeding week Susan has been involved in a range of outreach activities arranged by Sian Williams of the Miners Library at Swansea University, including workshops at the National Maritime Museum in Swansea, at Brynaman and at Big Pit in Blaenavon. Susan was a guest at several events throughout the Eisteddfod week, including the launch of Daniel Williams’s edited collection of essays on the connection between African Americans and the Welsh, and his Institute of Welsh affairs annual lecture on ‘Aneurin Bevan and Paul Robeson: Socialism Class and Identity’. John Osmond previewed the lecture on his blog, and it’s available as handsomely produced bilingual booklet from the Institute of Welsh Affairs. Details of the volume Canu Caeth can be found on the website of Gwasg Gomer, and it’s just been reviewed on the BBCs welsh language site.



Diolch i waith diflino Swyddogion Iaith Gymraeg y Brifysgol roedd proffil Prifysgol Abertawe lawer yn uwch ar faes Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Glyn Ebwy nag y bu yn y gorffennol. Cafwyd sawl digwyddiad llwyddiannus iawn, gan gynnwys digwyddiad ar gyfer cyn-fyfyrwyr gyda Jason Mohammed a lansiad Academi Hywel Teifi gyda Huw Edwards. Daeth yr wythnos i ben gyda uchafbwynt addas wrth i Tudur Hallam o’r adran Gymraeg ennill y Gadair am ei deyrnged i'r Athro Hywel Teifi Edwards.

Chwaraeodd CREW rhan flaenllaw yn yr Eisteddfod hefyd. Mae Eisteddfod 1958, y tro diwethaf i’r wyl ymweld a Glyn Ebwy, yn cael ei gofio yn arbennig oherwydd presenoldeb y canwr Affro-Americanaidd Paul Robeson, a gafodd ei gyflwyno i gynulleidfa’r Gymanfa Ganu gan Aneurin Bevan. Cafodd Prifysgol Abertawe y fraint o bresenoldeb wyres Paul Robeson, Susan, yn ein pabell trwy gydol yr wythnos.

Yn yr wythnos flaenorol bu Susan Robeson yn cymryd rhan mewn amrywiaeth o weithgareddau cymdeithasol a drefnwyd gan Sian Williams o Lyfrgell y Glowyr ym Mhrifysgol Abertawe, gan gynnwys gweithdai yn yr Amgueddfa Forwrol Genedlaethol yn Abertawe, ym Mrynaman ac yn y Pwll Mawr ym Mlaenafon. Roedd Susan yn westai mewn nifer o ddigwyddiadau drwy gydol yr wythnos, gan gynnwys lawnsio Canu Caeth, casgliad o ysgrifau ar y cysylltiad rhwng yr Affro-Americaniaid a’r Cymry a olygwyd gan Daniel Williams, a darlith flynyddol y Sefydliad Materion Cymreig ar 'Aneurin Bevan a Paul Robeson: Sosialaeth, Dosbarth a Hunaniaeth '. Cafwyd rhagolwg o’r ddarlith ar flog John Osmond, ac mae ar gael fel llyfryn dwyieithog gan y Sefydliad Materion Cymreig. Gellir cael manylion am y gyfrol Canu Caeth ar wefan Gwasg Gomer, ac mae adolygiad cynnar wedi ymddangos ar safle Gymraeg y BBC.

[Isod: Alun Ffred Jones, Gweinidog Treftadaeth y Cynulliad, Susan Robeson, Daniel Williams, Richard Davies, Is-Ganghellor Prifysgol Abertawe, Iwan Davies, Dirprwy Is-Ganghellor Prifysgol Abertawe, Dylan Williams, Gwasg Gomer]



[Helen Mary Jones, AC a chyfrannwr i Canu Caeth, Daniel Williams, Susan Robeson]