This rare find left Madam Wen festival organisers on Anglesey stunned
Festival organisers have unearthed a previously unknown translation of one of Wales’ most iconic novels.
The community-run Iorwerth Arms in Bryngwran on Anglesey are busy preparing for May’s Madam Wen festival, honouring the novel’s locally born author.
But they were shocked after uncovering a handwritten English translation of Madam Wen dating back to the 1930s – despite it being previously thought that no translation had been written until 2009.
Neville Evans, chairman of Bryngwran Cymunedol, who run the Iorwerth, described it as a “dramatic, unexpected but pleasant discovery.”
‘Madam Wen’ was first released as part of a series in Welsh newspaper Y Genedl Gymreig, between 1914 and 1917 before its release as a standalone in 1925.
Its author, a solicitor named William David Owen, was born in Tŷ Franan, near Bryngwran, in 1874.
It is the love story of Morys Williams, an honest Anglesey squire, for Einir Wyn, a beautiful and intelligent woman of society who unbeknown to him leads a double life as the leader of a band of robbers and smugglers.
The tale was turned into a film in 1982, with Owen using local 18th century traditions as inspiration.
(Photo: BRYNGWRAN CYMUNEDOL)
The cave of Madam Wen is thought to be located near the banks of Llyn Traffwll nearby.
The first English translation wasn’t thought to have been released until seven years ago, until the surprise discovery by festival organisers, who have yet to decide what to do with the copy.
According to Neville, they came across it during a routine search to find a copy of the original Welsh version, having been diverted to an online book shop in England.
(Photo: Arwyn Roberts)
The book, in his own handwriting, was seemingly written in 1937 by a person named Richard Parry.
He said: “We know nothing of who Richard Parry is, but its all in his own handwriting. It’s been a lovely surprise.
“Its important that people celebrate their local area, and W.D Owen and Madam Wen are very special to these surrounds.
“Many of the actors in the 1982 film were locals, Marged Esli, who was the lead actress, still lives nearby and many extras are from this community.”
(Photo: Arwyn Roberts)
The Madam Wen Festival will be held at the Iorwerth on May 26-29.
The planned events include a local talent night and a concert by Dafydd Iwan and Beth Frazer, culminating in the showing of the 1982 film by special permission of S4C and the Welsh Film Board.
Neville added: “It’s a bit of a coup for us to entice Dafydd Iwan back to the Iorwerth Arms as well as receive special permission to show the film from S4C/Film Board.
“But the discovery of the book adds a very special something, it’s as if it was supposed to happen and bring the story to much wider audience in Welsh and in English.”
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