The Dragon Has Two Tongues: Celebrating Welsh Broadcasting Innovation

For St David’s Day, join us for an afternoon celebration of "The Dragon Has Two Tongues”, the monumental 1980s Welsh TV series that redefined how a nation viewed its own history.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the series and our event will highlight how television technology—in its role as a powerful, mass-reaching medium—was instrumental in documenting and shaping the modern Welsh consciousness.

Crucially, the television series surveyed Welsh history from two presenters with conflicting views about the content. Even today, far too many television history programmes show one presenter with one view offered as 'the truth'. Hence, what was most notable about the programme was that it made audiences think about history because it presented different views. The programme has resonated with people ever since, and remains an iconic touchstone in the history of broadcasting; it also showcased new methods of presentation (including groundbreaking animation). The Welsh Parliament has itself taken unprecedented steps to make the series available for future generations to follow and enjoy.

This event will commemorate the spirit of the series by hosting two different views on Welsh politics today. Delyth Jewell (current Plaid Cymru Deputy Leader) will speak for Welsh Politics from the Westminster perspective and Dylan Iorwerth (Journalist) will represent Welsh Politics in Wales. Professor David Nash (Jesus College) will introduce the importance of this iconic TV series and moderate the discussion. The talks will be preceded by a traditional Welsh tea.

Join us to discover why this series remains an essential piece of Welsh cultural history and a powerful example of technology's role in society

Programme:

15.00 - Doors open and traditional Welsh tea.

16.15 - Dragon Lecture with Professor David Nash, Delyth Jewell and Dylan Iorwerth.

17.15 - Event ends.

Speaker biographies:

Delyth Jewell MS is a Member of the Senedd, representing South Wales East for Plaid Cymru. She is also her party's Deputy Senedd Leader. Delyth was educated in Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni in Bargoed, before going on to study at Oxford where she obtained an MA (Oxon) in English Language and Literature at St Hugh's, and later an M.St in Celtic Studies at Jesus College. After graduating from her M.St, she worked as a researcher and speech writer in Westminster, and in 2014 was awarded the DODS Overall Parliamentary Researcher of the Year award. Moving back to Wales in 2015, Delyth worked for Citizens Advice and later Action Aid, before becoming a Member of the Senedd in 2019. In 2021, Delyth was re-elected to the Senedd, and is her party's spokesperson on climate change. She is also the chair of the Senedd's Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee.

Dylan Iorwerth has almost 50 years’ experience in journalism. He is the Co-founder of the weekly magazine Golwg and the online service Golwg360. Dylan made his mark as the first permanent lobby correspondent in Westminster for the Welsh language radio and television services. He is a columnist, political commentator and occasional author and poet.

FIND US

This event will take place in the Cheng Kar Shun Digital Hub at Jesus College, Oxford. The Hub entrance is on Market Street (opposite Wagamama). The Hub is accessible, with automatic double doors at the entrance and lifts to and from the main lower ground floor event space.

If you have any accessibility requirements, please do contact [email protected] and we are happy to help.

*Filming and photography will be taking place during the event. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please notify a member of the Hub team on arrival.

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