Nam Le and Rachel Trezise Lord Griffiths
visible on the international literary scene and
open the door to even more young authors. That
“The door is open To young
is, of course, one of its distinguishing features.
The award is made to writers from around
the world who are under 30, and in addition
wriTers around The world.”
to the annual £30,000 award, the winning
writers commit themselves to working with and
encouraging young people to write.
chaired by Prize Patron, Lord Griffiths of harder to encourage, support and nurture talent
Fforestfach. Committee members come from in writers worldwide. Success has given us
Present holder Nam Le has spent a
the worlds of business, commerce and the the confidence to take the next logical step by
considerable time working with children in local
media, including Ceri Thomas, who edits Radio making the prize an annual event.”
schools, as has his predecessor Rachel Trezise,
4’s flagship Today programme. “I’m really
who won in 2006 with her collection of short
pleased to be able to help the prize develop its
All seems set fair then for continuing progress,
stories Fresh Apples. Significantly, both young
considerable ambitions,” he says. “I believe it
although this year brought an event that
writers have made major progress in their
is an innovative and vibrant way of attracting
saddened all those involved in the untimely
writing careers since winning the award.
international attention on Wales and its culture.”
death of Aeronwy Thomas. Dylan’s daughter
was the founding patron of the prize. “Those
In support of its new status as an annual
And that of course is where the value of the of us associated with the award were greatly
award, the official title sponsor of 2008,
award extends beyond its remit of rewarding saddened to hear of Aeronwy’s death. I know
the University of Wales, has confirmed its
excellence in the written word; in addition, it is she was delighted her father’s legacy lived on in
involvement through to 2012. This is a great
featuring Wales on the big stage. the prize,” Peter says.
boost in ensuring the future and of the ongoing
development of its successful outreach
“It was always the intention that this award A part of the plan to safeguard that legacy
programme, DylanED.
should become embedded in the international is a ‘Friends of Dylan’ programme for the
literary calendar,” explains the originator of the growing numbers wishing to contribute. The
“The Dylan Thomas Prize is establishing itself
prize, local writer and historian Peter Stead. programme is to be formally launched later this
as one of Wales’s great cultural assets,”
“From its annual platform it can work even year, but can currently be accessed at www.
says University of Wales vice chancellor
dylanthomasprize.com.
Marc Clement. “The prize’s global reach and
aspirations, its focus on youth and its emphasis
In the meantime, several recent developments
on nurturing excellence are fully consistent with
have combined to further raise the profile of
the goals of the University of Wales and we are
this important literary event. The acclaimed
proud to be its official title sponsor.
Californian actress Kate Burton, daughter of
acting legend Richard Burton, and actor Michael
“The education programme we organised in
Sheen will be teaming up with Lord Griffiths
2008 was a great success stimulating young
of Fforestfach to act as patrons and help with
people’s appreciation of literature and inspiring
promotion at a range of high-profile events.
their creative writing talents. We are keen to
develop this on an even larger scale.”
Additionally, Peter Florence, director of the Hay
Festival, has agreed to reprise his role as chair
In addition to the University of Wales, the
of the judging panel. What was originally the
founding consortium of local authority sponsors,
germ of an idea in the mind of Peter Stead
Swansea Council, Neath Port Talbot Council
has blossomed into a major literary award that
and Carmarthenshire Council, have pledged
focuses international attention on Swansea.
their continuing support. Success brings with it
A combination of hard work and keen literary
new demands, however, and to help consolidate
taste has unearthed some sublime writing that
its international ambitions, committees have
has massively expanded its appeal. The door is
been established in London and New York
Peter Stead
open to young writers throughout the world.
swansealife November 2009 23
Dylan Thomas Prize.indd 23 19/10/2009 19:31:52
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