T. James Jones facts for kids
T. James Jones (born in 1934) is a famous Welsh poet and writer. He used to be the Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales, which is a big festival celebrating Welsh culture. Many people also know him by his special Welsh name, Jim Parc Nest.
Contents
Early Life and Family
T. James Jones grew up in a town called Newcastle Emlyn. He comes from a very talented family! His two brothers, John Gwilym Jones and Aled Gwyn, are also Welsh writers. Both of them have won important awards at the National Eisteddfod. In 2018, a TV show called Bois Parc Nest was made about the three brothers and shown on S4C.
Jones went to Aberystwyth University and also studied at Presbyterian College in Carmarthen. He is married to another writer named Manon Rhys. He is also the uncle of a poet named Tudur Dylan Jones.
His Career and Work
Before becoming a well-known writer, T. James Jones worked as a minister for a church called the Congregational Church. He served in Mynyddbach, Swansea, and Priordy, Carmarthen.
Later, he became a teacher. He taught Welsh language and drama at Trinity College, Carmarthen. After that, he joined BBC Wales. He worked there as a script editor for Pobol y Cwm, a popular Welsh language TV show.
In 1967, he translated a famous play by Dylan Thomas called Under Milk Wood. The Welsh version was named Dan y Wenallt. It was performed at the Laugharne Festival.
Winning Awards at the Eisteddfod
The National Eisteddfod of Wales is a very important festival. It celebrates Welsh language, music, and poetry. T. James Jones has won some of the festival's biggest awards. He has won the "Crown" twice and the "Chair" once before becoming Archdruid.
In 2009, he was chosen to be the Archdruid. The Archdruid is the leader of the Gorsedd of Bards, a group of poets and musicians at the Eisteddfod.
After his time as Archdruid ended, he won the "Chair" award again in 2019. This was a special moment because it was the first time a former Archdruid had won such a major prize at the Eisteddfod!
Views on Welsh Identity
In 2011, T. James Jones shared his thoughts on Welsh identity. He believed that being "British" might make Welsh identity less strong. He suggested that when Welsh athletes won medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics, they should celebrate with the Welsh flag and the Welsh national anthem. He thought this would show pride in being Welsh, instead of using the British flag and anthem.
He also felt that other nations with unique cultures, like Cornwall, Brittany, and the Basque Country, should protect their identities too. However, some people, like Welsh politician David Davies, disagreed. They thought most Welsh people were proud to be both Welsh and British.
