Would you like to take a class? Our friends at Celtic Junction are now offering classes on Celtic topics. Check them out at https://celticjunction.org/college/
The Great Plains Welsh Heritage Project is offering books on Welsh American history for research and geneaology. You pay only for shipping.
Early History of the Welsh in the Proscairon District of Wisconsin
History of the Welsh in Minnesota
Hanes Cyrmy America (1872) A History of the Welsh in America
All are translated by Martha Davies or Phillip and Martha Davies. If interested, contact gcolgrove@neb.rr.com
Video of a schoolhouse in Wymore, Nebraska for Welsh-American students
The St. David's Society of Minnesota was formed to celebrate the heritage and culture of the Welsh immigrants to Minnesota. To these ends, St. David's Society members celebrate and cultivate all things Welsh - in literature, history, music, dance, art or ideas, traditional and contemporary.
The Minnesota Welsh Association's 2022 Welsh Hymn Festival
Sunday, September 25, 1:30 pm, First Presbyterian Church, 220 East Hickory Street, Mankato, MN
Our friends at MWA carry on the tradition of the Gymanfa Ganu, the singing of Welsh hymns (in Welsh and English) this Sunday. From their website: "At the Hymn Festival, members of the congregation are asked to sit according to their voice part (soprano, alto, tenor, bass). The effect is that of a congregation becoming a large massed choir. Hymns are led by a conductor with organ and piano accompaniment. The hymns are sung in English and occasionally in Welsh. During breaks, special music is provided by soloists or choirs. The Festival traditionally concludes with the Welsh National Anthem and "God Be With You Till We Meet Again." The Festival is open to all who enjoy harmonious hymn singing!"
Well-Read Dragons Book Group
Saturday, October 1, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
We will discuss History of Wales in Twelve Poems, by M. Wynn Thomas.See "Book Group" link above for a description of the book and the list of books for discussion for Oct. 2022 - August 2023, as well as a list of the books the book group has read over the past years.
An Evening With John Dingley
Sunday, November 20, 6:30 pm at the Celtic Junction Arts Center, 836 N. Prior, St. Paul
After three years of planning and several false starts, Out of the Mist Celtic Theatre and the St. David’s Society of Minnesota will present “An Evening with John Dingley” at the Celtic Junction Arts Center. John Dingley, arguably our most noted local Welshman, is an actor, singer, poet, stone mason, glass engraver, published author, and renowned storyteller. He came to our shores from his native Wales in 1975, and promptly spent seven years studying at University of Minnesota. He was a longtime member of The Na Fianna Irish Theatre Company, which performed for many years, not only in the Twin Cities, but all over the Midwest, including Milwaukee, Chicago, and Winnipeg. John was also the owner and proprietor of The Irish Well in St. Paul, a pub and restaurant that was also host to numerous Irish musicians in the mid-nineties.
John will also be selling and signing copies of his latest book, “A Visit Home”, a collection of short stories and a few poems, at the end of the evening. He will be singing songs, reciting poems, and telling stories, old and new, as well as speaking to activities close to his heart, such as vertical farming and The Raptor Research Project, of which he is president. There is also a rumor that there maybe a few slides and a Welsh harpist.
Tickets are $20, and $15 for students and seniors (over 60) available at the door or online: https//celticjunction.org/
Sgwrs Cymraeg, Welsh Conversation
Any learners or would-be learners welcome to any or all of these classes. ALL held via Zoom on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays from 10:30am - 12:30pm. Contact conversation facilitator: Laurel Bradshaw, llawryf@yahoo.com for Zoom link and more information.
Recent Events
Welsh Speaker Series
On Sunday, March 20th, we heard a fascinating presentation by Owen Rhys Roberts from the National Library of Wales.He shared these links to resources on the library website:
Our First Member Interview: Ellis Jones! On November 1, 2021, one of our board members, Hywel Roberts, interviewed our long-time member and past president, Ellis Jones. Click hereto read the transcript of the interview. We will eventually create a video of excerpts from this and future interviews.
Did you know the on-line game Wordle was invented by a Welshman? Read about his story here.
Today's Harlech: Our member Ryan Evans has produced a recording of Welsh-Minnesotans singing the folk song Tros Y Garreg (Over the Stone) set to his original electronic music accompaniment. He has also created a website with this music and stories and poems written by and read by our members about their Welsh heritage. (Click on the title above to get to the website.)
History of Wales links: Scott Lloyd, one of our Welsh speakers over Zoom,has generously shared many links to learn abour Welsh history and ancient sites.
Contact us at mailto:stdavidsofmn@gmail.com or visit and "like" our Facebook page to learn more about the Welsh and Wales at local, national, and international levels: Go to facebook
