"Wales - Spuren im Garten Eden: Spuren in der Landschaft, Zeugen keltischer Kultur"

Name of traveller

Dominic Marti

Reason for travel

• archaeology of industry; study of industrial history

Date of travel

undated, ca. late 1980s

Wer steht schon gerne Schlange? Für einmal wurde das Warten auf dem Postamt von Betws-y coed [sic] für einen polyglotten Schweizer zur einmaligen Demonstration einer Ursprache Europas. (Marti 287)

Content

• architecture:
  • points out the significance of Welsh chapels; Welsh architecture most notable for its humble character and a general lack of noted architects
  • conservation of historical buildings is important for protecting Welsh cultural heritage; highlights the particular difficulty of protecting small buildings
• art: contains a number of photographs and some historical drawings
• industry:
  • industrial production has significantly altered the landscapes across Wales
  • loss of coal mining and steel industries has caused high unemployment
  • mention of the Aberfan disaster of 1966 as a sad example for the landscape devastation of the south Wales valleys
  • visits the tourist attraction Llechwedd Quarry to find out more about slate production
  • point out that new branches of industry and manufacture are needed in Wales
• language:
  • the Welsh language takes the lead position among the Celtic languages
  • continued use of Welsh in mass media, popular culture, education and place names
  • recognises the symbolic importance of the Welsh language for national identity in Wales
  • gives the transformation Nant Gwytheyrn from a former quarrying settlement to a Welsh language centre as a prime example of cultural renewal
• literature: quotes from Richard Llewellyn's (1906-1983) novel How Green Was My Valley (1939) to illustrate former living and working conditions in the south Wales valleys
• politics: describes Welsh-language activism as moderate and in stark contrast to the Irish situation
• terrain:
  • describes Welsh landscapes between Garden Eden and industrial devastation
  • points to the significance of national parks and their complicated rules and regulations
  • identifies Wales as part of the fringe regions in Europe
  • points out low property prices in Wales and subsequent dilution of Welsh language communities owing to monoglot Anglophone incomers
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Nationality of traveller

Swiss

Language of publication

German

Gender of traveller

Male

Type of publication

essay; study of industrial history

Citation

Marti, Dominic. "Wales - Spuren im Garten Eden: Spuren in der Landschaft, Zeugen keltischer Kultur." Schweizer Ingenieur und Architekt 107.11 (1989): 285-92. Print.