Dylan Thomas’ War: the Pacifist, the Propagandist and the Swansea Blitz

Date/Time
07/06/2014
2:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Times
Full tour – 2.00pm – 7.00pm
Talk and screening only – 5.00pm – 6.45pm

Start/Finish point
Full tour – The Dylan Thomas Centre
Talk and screening only – Gower Heritage Centre

Terrified of conscription and a Pacifist Socialist, Dylan was disturbed by the Second World War. Migrating between London and west Wales throughout, he worked on propaganda films as well as crafting some of his darkest, saddest literature. The tour explores war-torn Swansea, through the sites of streets ravaged by bombs which he diligently listed, to the places which survived, examining the devastating loss of the 1930s Kardomah Gang haunts. Historian and critic Professor Peter Stead will explore the effect of this, as well as his domestic claustrophobia, his father’s failing health, the New Quay shooting episode and the rise of fascism, on Dylan’s psyche and writing. The tour includes a trip to the ‘Dylan’s Swansea’ exhibition at Swansea Museum (which Dylan reputedly called “a museum which belongs in a museum”), a talk by Sidney Roe, who grew up with Dylan and experienced the Swansea Blitz and a screening of some of his propaganda films in La Charrette, a cinema within an old train carriage.

Tickets
Full tour – £17
Talk and screening only – £8

Food/Drink Provision: Tea or coffee and cake included
Recommended Clothing for the Full Tour: Comfortable footwear, waterproofs, warm layers, sun cream and hat.

Tickets can be purchased via www.literaturewales.org | 02920 472266