Alan Llwyd facts for kids
Alan Llwyd, born in 1948, is a famous Welsh poet, writer, and editor. His real name is Alan Lloyd Roberts, but he also uses the special writing name Meilir Emrys Owen. He is one of the most active Welsh-language poets from the late 1900s and early 2000s. He has won the top poetry awards, the Chair three times and the Crown twice, at the National Eisteddfod.
Early Life and Education
Alan Llwyd was born in Dolgellau, a town in Gwynedd, Wales. He grew up on a farm in a place called Cilan. He went to university at Bangor University. After finishing school, he managed a bookshop in Bala. He also worked as an editor for a publishing company. Later, he helped with writing and editing for the Welsh Joint Education Committee.
His Books and Achievements
Alan Llwyd published his first book of poems, Y March Hud (which means 'The Magic Horse'), in 1971. He used his original name, Alan Lloyd Roberts, for this book. Many more poetry books followed.
He became very well known in 1973 when he achieved something rare: he won both the Crown and the Chair at the National Eisteddfod. He did this amazing feat again in 1976! He won the Chair for a third time in 2023.
In 1988, Llwyd published a book called Yn y Dirfawr Wag. For this book, he used his special writing name, Meilir Emrys Owen.
Alan Llwyd has also written about other famous poets. He has studied and collected works by poets like Goronwyy Owen and Hedd Wyn. He wrote the script for the Welsh-language film Hedd Wyn (1992). This film was nominated for an Oscar. It tells the story of Hedd Wyn, a poet who died in World War I.
Most of Alan Llwyd's books are about literature. However, he also edited a book called Cymru Ddu = Black Wales. This book shares the history of black Welsh people. He also wrote a book about the author Kate Roberts. This book was featured in a TV show on S4C, where he was interviewed.
Poetic Style
Alan Llwyd is often known for writing poems using strict poetic metre. This means his poems follow very specific rules for rhythm and rhyme. However, some of his poems, especially those written as Meilir Emrys Owen, are in free verse. Free verse poems do not follow strict rules for rhythm or rhyme.
