FESTIVAL COMMISSION
DAFYDD IWAN & ALI GOOLYAD
Dafydd Iwan graduated in architecture from the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff, and awarded an honorary LL.D. by the University of Wales for his contribution to Wales and the Welsh language. An honorary member of the Gorsedd, and Honorary Fellow of Aberystwyth, Bangor and Cardiff Universities. Chair of the Welsh Language Society 1968 – 71, and President of Plaid Cymru, 2003 – 10. A singer-songwriter who has released many albums, and author of several books. His song “Yma o Hyd” was the Welsh football team’s official song in the World Cup in Qatar. Helives with his wife Bethan in Rhos-bach, near Caernarfon. He has 5 children.
Ali Goolyad is a poet, actor and a community activist. Born in Hargeisa, Somaliland, Ali migrated to Wales aged 1. His previous work includes writing and performing in De Gabay, (National Theatre Wales), Border Game, Storm 2, Big Democracy Project (National Theatre Wales), Borderland (Radio 4), Talking Doorsteps (Roundhouse), Mattan Injustice of a Hanged Man (BBC), and Black and Welsh (BBC Wales). Ali is a collaborator at heart and loves the version of Welsh culture he creates.
A chance meeting between Ali Goolyad and Dafydd in central Cardiff during the lead up to the World Cup (https://fb.watch/nr0aDReD7d/) and a connection with the lyrics of ‘Yma o Hyd’ sparked an interest in the potential for a musical/spoken word collaboration between these two very different proud Welshmen.
