26 Treasures

Curators at the National Library of Wales selected 26 different objects to reflect the diversity of their collections, from sound recordings to maps, medieval books to films, photographic albums to historic pamphlets. Writers (half writing in English, half in Welsh) then wrote 62 words exactly in response. The pieces were translated into Welsh and English and submitted to the Translation Challenge as part of the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham. A Bardic staff was awarded to the winner. You can see all the 26 sestudes, along with their translations in the Treasures section, and you can read some of the stories behind the finished pieces in the Creation Stories section.

Aeth cenaduron y Llyfrgell Genedlaethol ati i ddewis 26 gwrthrych er mwyn adlewyrchu  amrywiaeth eu casgliadau, o recordiadau sain i fapiau, o lyfrau canoloesol i ffilmiau, ac o albymau lluniau i bamffledi hanesyddol.  Bu’r awduron maes o law yn ysgrifennu union 62 gair o ymateb i un o’r gwrthrychau (gyda’u hanner yn ysgrifennu yn y Gymraeg, a’r hanner arall yn y Saesneg).

Cyfieithwyd y darnau i’r Gymraeg ac i’r Saesneg, ac fe’i cyflwynwyd i’r Her Gyfeithu fel rhan o’r Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yn Wrecsam.  Gwobrwywyd yr enillydd gyda Ffon Farddol.

Gallwch weld pob un o’r ‘sestudes’ yn ogystal â’r cyfieithiadau yn yr adran ‘Treasures’, a gallwch ddarllen rhai o’r straeon sy’n gefndir i’r gwaith gorffenedig yn adran y ‘Creation Stories”.

 

creation wales

Before we reveal our writers’ 26 responses on 18 September, we’d like to share their stories.

In May 2011, each writer received a brief. ’Please respond to your chosen treasure in 62 words.’ Some cheered because it sounded easy, some sighed because they realised how difficult this challenge would be. But every writer responded with something unique. How? You can read their creation story below. It’s the tale of how they met their treasure and how they reached their 62 words. We’ll post a couple a week in the run-up to the exhibition.

Annes001.jpg
Scroll, lineage of Adam, Annes Glyn

(Translation from Welsh - this piece, and...

Paul Murphy.jpg
Self portrait by Shani Rhys James, Paul Murphy

The journey started with a visit to the...

Chris Bird.jpg
Dylan Thomas Word List, Chris Bird

In the long room we sit silently, almost...

JohnSimmons.jpg
Mary Dilwyn photographic album

Arwel had read out the slip of paper...