A few months later, one Welsh language author was apparently criticized on Twitter for attending a literary festival abroad. The argument revolved – as usual – around the fact that he had received public funding to attend the festival – a long standing gripe. In the current climate of economic constraints, it stands to reason that many people find fault in the notion of authors and artists receiving public sponsorship to complete their work or to broaden their horizons. But yet again, with such a debate being carried out anonymously online, one wonders whether the discussion is truly productive, or merely speculative.
“Junket” is the derogatory term that gets used more often than not. Yet what would happen if Welsh authors were denied such opportunities? Would there not be a void? A void that would further alienate us from the world? Such opportunities ensure a Welsh presence on an international stage – and isn't that exactly the kind of thing that public funding should be supporting at times like these? As a minority, we tend to get squashed more than most – and the arts, after all, could provide us with a crucial escape. If we can be ambitious and ensure our artistic presence and influence in the world, then surely we can strengthen our international status far beyond any economic crisis. And it would be interesting for us to learn via a platform such as Newsnight Cymru, which authors and artists are travelling, responding to international politics in their work, and how those works enrich our understanding of our place in the world.
I am fortunate enough to be a current International Fellow for The Hay Festival – following in the footsteps of Jon Gower, Owen Sheers, Tiffany Murray and Eurig Salisbury. In treading the same paths it is heartening to find that the people of Dhaka already know about cynghanedd, and the people of Cartagena are well versed in Welsh history and Welsh fiction. This year, I attempted to build on those foundations by offering the people of Spain and Mexico a glimpse of the Mabinogi, and introducing a congregation of Norwegians and Icelanders to the traditions of Welsh folk music. And in turn, their traditions have impacted on my work. Hearing about the disappearances in Mexico and the unusual world view of mayor Mauricio Fernández Garza in the probing documentary film – ‘El Alcalde’, for example, made a deep impression on me, inspiring new work almost instantly.
Long live the literary junkets, I say, and let us somehow find a way to effectively communicate their significance in mapping Wales and the Welsh language on the world stage - hoping that we can find a new platform to discuss and develop these issues through Newsnight Cymru.