"Druides et bardes gallois"

Name of traveller

Oskar Berggrün (d. c. 1903)

Reason for travel

• study of poetic and musical tradition in Wales

Date of travel

undated, ca. 1890s

Ce beau pays, qui s’étend du pic neigeux du Snowdon, jusqu’aux flots du canal de Bristol, n’est pas riche en grandes villes, mais les vieilles cités y abondent où l’art national est cultivé et tenu en honneur et qui se disputent le privilège d’hérberger l’Eisteddfod annuel. (Berggr[ü]n 33)

Content

• art:
  • contains a number of portraits sketched by Hubert von Herkomer (1849-1914)
  • art competitions as part of the National Eisteddfod, judged by Hubert von Herkomer
• culture:
  • comparison with druids in the French tradition
  • the Welsh have preserved their past more effectively
  • description of the National Eisteddfod of Llannelli in 1895, particularly the music played during the festival and his lecture on music
  • describes a diminished hostility between the Welsh and the English; more English visitors noted to attend the Eisteddfod
  • description of musical notation in Wales; popularity and limitations of the tonic sol-fa and notation of the Welsh national anthem in sol-fa
• language: discussion of the Welsh national anthem; provides French translation
• people:
  • portraits of Hwfa Môn (Rowland Williams) (1823-1905) and Gurnos (Evan Jones) (1840-1903)
  • Welsh expatriots express their love for the Eisteddfod by sending telegrams
• click here to read the full account

Nationality of traveller

German

Language of publication

French

Gender of traveller

Male

Type of publication

essay; report; study

Citation

Berggr[ü]n, Oskar. "Druides et bardes gallois." La Revue des revues 16.1 (1896): 32-40. Print.