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Biography. News. Books. Awards. Events. Music. Art. Judge. Organisations. Articles


Biography

Winner of Wales Arts Council's Book of the Year Award

Grahame Davies, by John BriggsGrahame Davies is a Welsh author, who has won numerous prizes, including the Wales Book of the Year Award.

As a much-sought-after lyricist, he collaborates extensively with composers and wrote the words for the song 'Sacred Fire', by composer Sarah Class, which,  performed by South African soprano Pretty Yende, was one of the musical highlights of the Coronation of King Charles III in May 2023, and was described by Andrew Lloyd Webber as 'mesmerising', and by commentator Robert Hardman as 'exquisite'.

He is the author of 19 books in Welsh and English, including: The Chosen People, a study of the relationship of the Welsh and Jewish peoples; The Dragon and the Crescent, a study of Wales and Islam; a novel, Everything Must Change, about the French philosopher Simone Weil, and two popular works of psychogeography, Real Wrexham, and Real Cambridge

A native of Coedpoeth near Wrexham, now based in Powys and London, he has a degree in English from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, and a PhD from Cardiff University, where he was an honorary fellow in the department of religious studies.

He was awarded an honorary D.Litt from Anglia Ruskin University, and was Vice-President of Goodenough College, London. He travels internationally as a reader and lecturer, carries out numerous high-profile poetry commissions, and collaborates extensively with musical and visual artists. In 2020, he was awarded the L.V.O. (Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order) in the Queen's Birthday Honours. In 2023 he was awarded an Honorary D.Litt from the University of Aberdeen and the title of Honorary Professor of Practice by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Also in 2023: His Majesty The KIng made him a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (C.V.O.) 

His poetry has been translated into many languages and has appeared in publications such as: The Times, The Times Literary Supplement, The Guardian, Poetry London, the Literary Review in America, Orbis (#136 Spring 2006), Yearbook of Welsh Writing in English, Absinthe (Michigan, USA, 2007), Kalliope (Germany, 2009), Poetry Review, and Everyman's Library Pocket Poets series Villanelles (2012). His work is widely anthologised and is on the education syllabus in Wales. __________________________________________________

News

'Sacred Fire' performed at Coronation
Song commissioned for Westminster Abbey service

Hymn commissioned by Royal Air Force
Premiere at Royal Albert Hall

Celebrating Wales-Ireland links
New folk song suite with Paul Mealor for Ar Log

Books

  • New for 2024: A Darker Way, (Seren, 2024), second solo volume of English poetry.
  • Real Cambridge (Seren, 2021) a volume of psychogeography in the Real series, edited by Peter Finch. 
  • Alcemi Dwr / Alchemy of Water (Gomer, 2013). With Tony Curtis, a bilingual book of poems about Welsh lakes, rivers, shorelines and waterfalls, with pictures by Mari Owen and Carl Ryan.
  • Lightning Beneath the Sea (Seren, 2012), first full-length book of poetry in English.
  • The Dragon and the Crescent (Seren, 2011), an extensive study of the relationship between the Welsh people and Islam as reflected in literature.
  • Real Wrexham (Seren, 2007), a work of psychogeography in the Real series edited by Peter Finch. Reprinted 2009.
  • Everything Must Change (Seren, 2007), an English-language novel based on Rhaid i Bopeth Newid.
  • Gwyl y Blaidd / Festival of the Wolf, Eds. Tom Cheesman, Grahame Davies and Sylvie Hoffman (Parthian/Hafan, 2006). An anthology of work by and about refugees and asylum seekers in Wales.
  • Achos, (Barddas, 2005), third volume of original Welsh-language poetry.
  • The Big Book of Cardiff, Eds. Peter Finch & Grahame Davies (Seren, 2005), an anthology of contemporary writing about Cardiff.
  • Rhaid i Bopeth Newid, (Gomer, 2004), first novel, longlisted for the £10,000 Book of the Year prize, 2005.
  • Nel país de la borrina. (VTP Editorial, 2004) selection of Welsh poetry in Asturian translation.
  • No país da brétema (VTP Editorial, 2004) selection of Welsh poetry in Galician translation.
  • Ffiniau/Borders, (Gomer, 2002), a bilingual volume of poetry jointly with Elin ap Hywel.
  • The Chosen People, (Seren, 2002), a study of the relationship of the Welsh and the Jewish people as reflected in literature.
  • Cadwyni Rhyddid, (Barddas, 2001), second volume of Welsh-language poetry, winner of the Wales Arts Council's 2002 Book of the Year award at the Hay on Wye Festival of Literature, together with a prize of £3,000. Reprinted 2001.
  • Oxygen, (Seren, 2000). With Amy Wack a bilingual anthology of Welsh poets aged under 45.
  • Sefyll yn y Bwlch, (University of Wales Press, 1999), a study of the anti-modern movement in the 20th Century, as seen in the work of R.S.Thomas, Saunders Lewis, T.S. Eliot and Simone Weil.
  • Adennill Tir, (Barddas, 1997), first Welsh-language poetry book, awarded the Harri Webb Memorial Prize.
Major Awards, Honours, Scholarships etc:
  • 2024: Honorary Fellowship of Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama
  • 2023: Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (C.V.O.)  The King's Special Honours.
  • 2023: Honorary Professor of Practice, University of Wales Trinity Saint David.
  • 2023: Honorary D.Litt. University of Aberdeen.
  • 2022: Vers Libre Prize at National Eisteddfod of Wales.
  • 2020: Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO), The Queen's Birthday Honours
  • 2017: Poem Suitable for Song prize. National Eisteddfod of Wales
  • 2016: Sonnet prize, National Eisteddfod of Wales
  • 2011: Literature Wales Bursary for poetry project.
  • 2010: Honorary D.Litt. Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge
  • 2009: Ruth Howarth Literature Award for Real Wrexham
  • 2008: Honorary Research Fellowship, Cardiff University.
  • 2007: Academi Bursary Award for Wales and the Muslims.
  • 2004: Academi Bursary Award for Everything Must Change
  • 2004: Fellowship of Goodenough College, London.
  • 2004: Poem of tribute, National Eisteddfod of Wales.
  • 2004: Longlist for Book of the Year award for Rhaid i Bopeth Newid
  • 2002: Welsh Arts Council Book of the Year Award for Cadwyni Rhyddid.
  • 2001: Winner, Stomp Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Dinbych, Yr Academi.
  • 1998: Welsh Arts Council Writer's Bursary Award for Wales and the Jews.
  • 1997: Harri Webb Memorial Poetry Prize for Adennill Tir.
  • 1994: Vers Libre Prize at National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Major Commissions, Residencies, Visits, Festivals, Lectures.

  • 2024: Reading at the Knighton Festival, Powys.
  • 2024:  Reading at The North Wales International Music Festival, St Asaph.
  • 2024: A Scottish Prayer, composed by Paul Mealor, performed at Crathie Kirk in the presence of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla, on the second anniversary of the Accession.
  • 2024: Reading and lecture at the North American Festival of Wales, Pittsburgh, U.S.A.
  • 2024: Series of readings and lectures in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.
  • 2024: BBC Radio Cymru, Rhaglen Ffion Dafis.
  • 2024: BBC Radio Wales, Roy Noble Programme.
  • 2024: Guardian Poem of the Week, 'The Journalist'.
  • 2024: Writing With Light festival with Sarah Class, Hay Castle.
  • 2024: Reading at The Three Streams Festival, Llantwit Major.
  • 2024: Reading at The Athenaeum Club, London.
  • 2024: Reading at The Royal Overseas League, London.
  • 2024: Reading at The Chapel Royal, London.
  • 2024: Lecture at Jesus College, Oxford.
  • 2023: Reading at The Three Streams Festival, Llantwit Major.
  • 2023: Reading at St Davids Festival of Ideas.
  • 2023: Reading at Ancient Connections Pilgrimage Conference, Inniscorthy, Co.Wexford, Ireland.
  • 2022: Queen's English Society: lecture on The English Ghost Story.
  • 2022 Interview as prizewinner at National Eisteddfod of Wales.
  • 2022. Reading at Abbey Hall Creative Space, Eye, Suffolk, for the River Waveney Trust
  • 2022: Reading at These Three Streams Festival, Llantwit Major.
  • 2021 Lecture to The Honourable Society of Cymmrododion, Wales and Islam.
  • 2020 North Wales International Music Festival, St Asaph  Readings and interview
  • 2019  Residency at Jam on the Marsh Festival, New Romney, Kent
  • 2018  Residency at Jam on the Marsh Festival, New Romney, Kent
  • Hiraeth- Erzolirzoli Wales-Cameroon anthology, edited by Eric Ngalle Charles
  • 2018  Museum of the Moon reading, Tintern Abbey, for Wye Valley Festival
  • 2017 Teaching three-day creativity seminar in Vienna, Austria, for Goodenough College, London.
  • 2016 Sequence commissioned to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster, with Tony Curtis and photographs by I.C. Rapoport
  • 2016 Edge Festival, Solva, Pembrokeshire
  • 2016 Llangwm Festival, Pembrokeshire
  • 2016 Keynote speech at opening of international conference of the British Institute of Middle Eastern Studies, Lampeter.
  • 2016: Chairing British Council discussion on Shakespeare and Wales at Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, with Gwyneth Lewis and Rakie Ayola.
  • 2016: Reading with Kevin Crossley Holland, Temenos Academy, Lincoln Centre, London.
  • 2014: Reading with Kevin Crossley Holland, Pembroke College, Cambridge Festival of Ideas
  • 2014: 'Meddwl' philosophy conference, Aberystwyth
  • 2014: Poem for Sacred Site and Sound Festival, Tintern.
  • 2013: Poem for 'Ode to Samarkand' festival, Uzbekistan.
  • 2013: Cambridge Festival of Ideas.
  • 2013: Chelmsford Festival of Ideas.
  • 2013: PENfro Literary Festival, Pembrokeshire.
  • 2013: Hay Festival, launch of Alchemy of Water and R.S.Thomas centenary event
  • 2012: Guardian Poem of the Week, 'Departed'.
  • 2011: Oxfam Poetry series, London.
  • 2011: Cambridge Festival of Ideas, Panel discussion on mythology.
  • 2011: Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, Aberystwyth, 'The Crescent and the Welsh.'
  • 2011: Cambridge Muslim College; 'Wales and Islam'.
  • 2011: Carnhuanawc Lecture; 'Wales and Islam': Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru.
  • 2011: Lecture on Bryan Martin Davies with Elin ap Hywel, Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru
  • 2011: BBC Wales All Things Considered programme.
  • 2011: Hay Festival, session on The Dragon and the Crescent
  • 2010: 'On the Border' series session with John Hegley at Chepstow.
  • 2010: Half-hour BBC Radio Four Great Lives programme about Simone Weil, with Eleanor Bron.
  • 2009: North American tour: readings and artistic collaborations in Pennsylvania, Vermont and New York. Wales Arts International.
  • 2009: Greenbelt Festival, Cheltenham, UK.
  • 2009: Harvard University, U.S.A. Lecture.
  • 2008: Readings in Guglionesi, Italy.
  • 2008: Five literary readings in Argentina.
  • 2007: North American tour: readings and launch of Everything Must Change in Delta, Pennsylvania; Westport, Connecticut, and Chrysler Building, New York, and lecture at Yale University, Massachussetts. Wales Arts International.
  • 2007: Memorial Poem for Children's Commissioner for Wales.
  • 2007: Hay on Wye Festival of Literature, Readings. Launch of 'Poets' Portraits' exhibition.
  • 2007. Imperial College, London. Lecture.
  • 2007: Artist in Residence in Summer school of the British Centre for Literary Translation, University of East Anglia, Norwich.
  • 2007: Subject of half-hour BBC Wales All Things Considered programme
  • 2006: Delta, Pennsylvania. Readings
  • 2006. Cape Town, South Africa. University of the Western Cape. Lecture.
  • 2005: Madrid, Spain. Launch of La Pais de la Borrina. British Council.
  • 2005: Canu'n Rhydd conference, Llandudno, Academi. Readings and panel.
  • 2005. Limerick University, Ireland. Lecture.
  • 2004: Poesiefestival, Berlin. Translation workshops and readings. British Council / Welsh Literature Abroad
  • 2004: Israel and Palestine. Fact-finding visit. Israeli Foreign Ministry.
  • 2004: Greenbelt Arts Festival, Cheltenham. Readings and workshops.
  • 2004: NAASWCH Conference, Morgantown, WV, USA. Lectures.
  • 2004. Subject of half-hour Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol programme
  • 2003: Commission by Academi for Great Cardiff Poem
  • 2003; Commission by HRH Prince of Wales for poem for Llangollen Eisteddfod.
  • 2003: Edmonton, Canada. Lecture and readings at 'Culture and the State' conference. British Council.
  • 2002: Sofia, Bulgaria. Readings and launch of Plamak Welsh edition. British Council.
  • 2002: Lublin, Poland. Lecture. British Council.
  • 2002: NAASWCH conference, Syracuse, NY. U.S.A. Two lectures.
  • 2002: College of William and Mary, Williamsburg. U.S.A. Lecture.
  • 2002: Commission by Wales Millennium Centre for poem for laying of foundation stone.
  • 2002. Hay on Wye Festival of Literature, Readings.
  • 2001: Argentina, British Council.
  • 2001: European Round Table on Poetry, Riga, Latvia. Readings. British Council.
  • 2000: Wexford, Ireland. Reading. Academi.
  • 2000: Royal Festival Hall, London. Reading.

Musical collaborations:

  • 2024: 'Send the Angels Again', choral work for composer Jago Thornton and Suzi Digby’s VOCE Chamber Choir premiered at St George’s Bloosbury, November 8th
  • 2024: Simffoni Mara, choral work for composer Paul Mealor premiered at St David's Cathedral by Ysgol Gerdd Ceredigion.
  • 2024: Opera, Gresford: Up from Underground, commissioned by the North Wales International Music Festival, with music by Jon Guy, performed five times in St Asaph and Wrexham by the NEW Sinfonia and a community chorus to commemorate 90 years since the Gresford mining disaster of 1934.
  • 2024: Four short operas: Caravaggio; War Requiem; The Canonisation of Derek Jarman and Wittgenstein, for the JAM on the Marsh Festival, with Jago Thornton; Roseanna Dunn, Sam Buttler and Toby Anderson.
  • 2024: In Primum Non Nocere, based on the Hippocratic Oath, commissioned by the Royal Society of Medicine to music by Paul Mealor and performed by ORA Singers at the Grosvenor Chapel.
  • 2024: The Spark of Life, commissioned by the Royal Humane Society to music by Nigel Hess and performed at St Paul's Cathedral.
  • 2023: 'The Saviour in the Shawl', Christmas carol by Sarah Class recorded with the BBC Concert Orchestra, and the BBC Singers.
  • 2023: 'Windrush' by Debbie Wiseman, with words by Grahame Davies, is recorded by Sir Willard White to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush.
  • 2023: 'Sacred Fire', commission by King Charles III for The Coronation at Westminster Abbey on May 6th, with music by Sarah Class and words by Grahame Davies is performed by South African soprano Pretty Yende.
  • 2023: 'Coeden Cyfiawnder / The Justice Tree' by Edward-Rhys Harry with words by Grahame Davies, commissioned for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association Conference, held in Cardiff.
  • 2023: 'Three Things', song by Paul Mealor to words by Grahame Davies receives world premiere, performed by Apolllo 5 at Cadogan Hall in London on June 2nd, in Vox Anima London's concert 'The Music and Lineage of Paul Mealor'.
  • 2023: Y Ddwy Chwaer (The Two Sisters), commissioned for the St David's Cathedral Festival for the Ancient Connections project with Paul Mealor, performed by Ar Log at the Cathedral on March 4.
  • 2023: 'Today We Ask', anthem commissioned for a Coronation Celebration at St Paul's Church, Covent Garden, London, to music by composer Peter Boyer, performed by Ora Singers.
  • 2023: 'Gelert', opera by Paul Mealor and Grahame Davies performed in Minneapolis/St Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A., August 4-5.
  • 2022: 'Unitas in Sapienta', anthem for Goodenough College, London, set to music by Jamie Wesley.
  • 2022: 'A Welsh Prayer' performed at the Service of Remembrance for Her Majesty The Queen, Llandaff Cathedral, September 16, in the presence of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort.
  • 2022:  Libretto for community Opera Gelert with Paul Mealor for the North Wales International Music Festival, September 24.
  • Composer Celia Harper sets Grahame Davies’s poem ‘Prayer for the Dying’ to music, performed by Chiswick Baroque at Church of St Vincent de Paul, West London.
  • 2022: Libretto for Gorau Awen Gwirionedd, Choral Symphony with Eilir Owen-Griffiths, commissioned for the bicentenary of the University of Wales Trinity St David, November 12.
  • 2022: 'This Faithful Life', by Sir Karl Jenkins, commissioned by Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts for a Jubilee Concert on October 29.
  • 2022: 'What Time Has Taught', choral work, by Roderick Williams, commissioned for the Platinum Jubilee and performed at The Queen's Chapel, London, May 30, by Roderick Williams and the Gentlemen of The Chapel Royal.
  • 2022: 'A Blessing for Bendigeidfran', by Edward-Rhys Harry, commissioned by London Welsh Male Voice Choir, performed at St David's Cathedral, on May 7th.
  • 2022: 'O Beata Trinitas', by Grahame Davies and Paul Mealor, is performed at the enthronement of the new Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd. Andy John, at Bangor Cathedral on April 30.
  • 2022: 'Per Ardua Ad Astra',hymn commissioned by the Royal Air Force, for composer Paul Mealor, premiered at Classic FM Live at the Royal Albert Hall, April 11.
  • 2022: Poem and reading on the music video for the song 'Blackbird' by composer and songwriter Sarah Class
  • 2022. Choral work, 'In This Place' with Paul Mealor, commissioned by Marlborough College and premiered on March 20, 2022.
  • 2021. Musical theatre show Adre' Dros 'Dolig / Home for Christmas with Eilir Owen-Griffiths for Côr CF1 and MA students of University of Wales Trinity St David.
  • 2021 Song commission 'Between the Valley and the Sea' with Robert Arwyn for Barry Male Voice Choir.
  • 2021. Song commission 'The Blessing of Belonging' with Paul Mealor for Cantorion Rhos conducted by Matthias Wurz.
  • 2021. Commission'Between the Stormclouds and the Sea', with Jack Oades to celebrate Romney Marsh for the JAM on the Marsh Festival in Kent, premiered in July 2021.
  • 2020. Commission, 'O Beata Trinitas' with Paul Mealor to commemorate the centenary of the founding of the Church in Wales, premiered at special service at St Davids Cathedral in July 2021 in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales.
  • 2020. Commission of new sequence of poems in response to the Covid-19 pandemic to accompany a performance of Faure's Requiem at the JAM on the Marsh Festival in Kent, to be premiered August 14, 2020.
  • 2020. "Stronger for the Storm", composed with Paul Mealor for the international peace project iPlay4Peace.
  • 2020. Commission with Paul Mealor to commemorate the 700th anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath, Scotland, for performance in April 2021.
  • 2020. Commission of 'Song of the Oceans' with Paul Mealor for 'Science Sings' at the University of Aberdeen honorary degree ceremony, January 2020. Later recorded with the Philharmonia Orchestra in 2021.
  • 2019. Premiere of 'Song for Samhain' by composer Celia Harper for the Music and Silence concert by Chiswick Baroque at the church of St Vincent de Paul, Osterley, London, November 3rd 2019.
  • 2018. The Souls of the Righteous' New York premiere of Mass by Paul Mealor to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice commissioned by the Chapel Royal of Scotland, Carnegie Hall, New York, November 11.
  • 2018. 'A Glasgow Elegy' premiere of new choral work by Tom Harrold with words by Grahame Davies to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice, commissioned by Glasgow University, Glasgow, November 10.
  • 2018. 'The Souls of the Righteous' Edinburgh premiere of Mass by Paul Mealor with words by Grahame Davies to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice commissioned by the Chapel Royal of Scotland, Edinburgh, September 22.
  • 2018. 'Voices of Vimy' London premiere St Bride's, Fleet Street, and broadcast in full on BBC Radio 3.
  • 2018 'A Song for the Lord Mayor of London', by Paul Carroll for the Commonwealth Children's Choir to mark the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in London.
  • 2017. Carol by composer Jack Oades, with words by Grahame Davies, performed at St Bride's, Fleet Street, London, on December 21st
  • 2017 'Voices of Vimy', words for commission to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge with composers Tom Harrold and Stuart Beatch, with words by Grahame Davies for Pro Coro Canada and the JAM Festival.
  • 2017. 'Propempticon' by Grahame Davies set to music by Kevin Hutchings, the Canadian singer-songwriter, for his new album Watershed Sessions.
  • 2017 Words for 'Jack', a song by Paul Carroll with words by Grahame Davies in memory of Jack Cornwell, who won the VC at the Battle of Jutland in 1916, performed by the Commonwealth Youth Choir and the band of the Coldstream Guards, yn Horseguards Parade, London, to mark Commonwealth Day.
  • 2017 'Gorffwysgan Hedd Wyn', by Paul Mealor, with words by Grahame Davies, commissioned by the National Eisteddfod of Wales to commemorate the centenary of the death of the Welsh war poet Hedd Wyn.
  • 2016 'The Shadows of War', by Paul Mealor, Welsh premiere at St David's Hall, Cardiff, with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Owain Arwel Hughes.
  • 2016 'The Shadows of War', a new commission by Paul Mealor with words by Grahame Davies to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, Jam on the Marsh Festival, New Romney, Kent, with the London Mozart Players and the Mousai Singers.
  • 2016 'Wrth Ddwr a Thân / By Water and Fire', composed by Paul Mealor with words by Grahame Davies commissioned for the opening of the Fifth National Assembly for Wales by Her Majesty The Queen, Y Senedd, Cardiff, June 7, 2016.
  • 2016 Words for section of new choral work 'Jubilate Deo' by Paul Mealor for The Distinguished Concerts Orchestra and Distinguished Concerts Singers International, conducted by the Grammy-nominated Dr James Jordan, at Carnegie Hall, New York.
  • 2016 Words for new choral work by Paul Carroll for the 90th Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen for the Commonwealth Youth Orchestra and Choir.
  • 2015 Settings of 'Weather Forecast', 'Waiting' and 'Propempticon' by composer Celia Harper, performed by mezzo soprano Claire Bradshaw and violinist David Juritz at Burton Bradstock Festival in Dorset
  • 2014: Words for 'Spirit of Hope' by Paul Mealor to mark 20 years of democracy in South Africa, premiered in Cape Town in April with Only Kids Aloud and Bryn Terfel.
  • 2013: Words for 'A Welsh Prayer' by Paul Mealor to mark the 65th birthday of HRH The Prince of Wales, at North Wales Music Festival, St Asaph.
  • 2013: 'When you have to leave"' set to music by Canadian singer-songwriter Kevin Hutchings for the album, Shadows in the Light.
  • 2012: Words for 'The Hero's Journey', a new choral work by Sir Karl Jenkins, performed by a 500-voice male choir at Royal Festival Hall, London, on July 7, 2012, and a 1,000-voice choir at the Royal Albert Hall, London, on October 13, 2012.
  • 2012: Words for multi-media project about Gelligaer Common with visual artist Gigi Jones, composer Mervyn Burtch and poet Tony Curtis.
  • 2011: Words for part of the score by Sir Karl Jenkins for the BBC Wales television history series, The Story of Wales.
  • 2011: Words for 'Benedictus' in Celtic Mass by U.S. choral and orchestral composer Ben Allaway
  • 2010: 'Homecoming' set to music by Canadian singer-songwriter Kevin Hutchings for the album, Light to Shine.
  • 2010: Words based on sacred literature from several religions for a new setting of the Gloria by Sir Karl Jenkins, performed for the first time in the Royal Albert Hall, London, July 11, 2010.
  • 2009 English words for a recording of Sir Karl Jenkins' 'Cantilena' by the pop star Rhydian for the album O Fortuna on the Syco Label.
  • 2009: Words for a new commissioned choral work by Sir Karl Jenkins, 'Ysbrydoliaeth' ('Inspiration') performed at the Wales Millennium Centre, November 14.
  • 2009: Words for 'O Beata Trinitas' for Sir Karl Jenkins to mark university status of Trinity College, Carmarthen.
  • 2009 Several poems set to music for album of Kevin Hutchings, Canada, On the Bridge You Were Burning.
  • 2008: Commission to provide words and translations for a new setting of the Stabat Mater by Sir Karl Jenkins as part of the events for European City of Culture, Liverpool, 2008. Published on album Stabat Mater (EMI Classics).
  • 2008: Lyrics for a number of songs for the album Adnodau gyda Blodau for the rock band Catsgam.
  • 2007: Welsh words for a new setting of the Largo from the New World Symphony by Dvorak, and for a new setting of 'Cantilena', by Sir Karl Jenkins on album This Land of Ours (EMI Classics).
  • 2007: Panellist on day school on the libretto, for Academi and Music Theatre Wales.
  • 2006: Welsh translation of 'The Mystics' performed by Dame Kiri te Kanawa on the Karl Jenkins album Kiri Sings Karl. (EMI Classics).
  • 2006: Poems set to music by rock band Malarki on album Malarki.
  • 2005: Sir Karl Jenkins album, Requiem, (EMI Classics), including a setting of the poem 'Llwyd', reaches Number One in the classical charts.
  • 2005: Commission from Opus and Barcud Derwen for opera libretto Taliesin for Sir Karl Jenkins.

Visual and public art collaborations

  • 2022: Inscription for memorial stone on the Cheng Yu Tung Building at Jesus College, Oxford.
  • 2022: Poetry for sculpture in the restored Castle in Hay-on-Wye, Powys.
  • 2020: Poems for a mural artwork by artist Ceri Davies for the Secular Pilgrimage project at Tintern Abbey, Monmouthshire.
  • 2018: Collaboration with artist Kate Walters for the JAM on the Marsh Festival, Kent, July 2018.
  • 2017: Painting of Grahame Davies by Roy Guy installed at the Soar Welsh-language cultural centre, Merthyr Tydfil
  • 2016: Work on public poetry for artworks by sculptor Rebecca Gouldson in Merthyr Tydfil
  • 2014: Poem for painting by Roy Guy commemorating Prince of Wales Colliery disaster, Newbridge Memorial Hall
  • 2012: Words for sculptures on artwork trail in Brecon to mark the year of the 2012 Olympics
  • 2011 Words for sculptures by Adam Williamson along Green Journeys cycle path at Maesteg.
  • 2009 Commission for Welsh words for statue of Ivor Novello at Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.
  • 2008 Poems are incorporated into sculptured benches as part of redevelopment of Merthyr Tydfil town centre.
  • 2008: Collaboration with the visual artist Helen Stiff for Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Cymru.
  • 2006.Poem commissioned by the sculptor Nigel Talbot and included in his artwork as part of his exhibition Salvage..
  • 2006: A portrait of Grahame Davies by Lorraine Bewsey is one of 20 pictures in her exhibition, Portreadau'r Beirdd / Poets' Portraits.
  • 2004: Poems included on sculptures by Nigel Talbot at several locations on the Taff Trail, at Abercynon, Aberfan, Cefn Coed y Cymmer.

Membership of organisations

  • 2022- The Athenaeum, Pall Mall, London.
  • 2020 -2022 Vice-President, Goodenough College, London.
  • 2019 - 2022 Trustee, Goodenough College, London.
  • 2017 - 2022 Chairman of Academic Committee, Goodenough College, London.
  • 2014 - Vice-President Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.
  • 2013 - 2022 Governor, Goodenough College.
  • 2011-2012: Board of Literature Wales.
  • 2008-2011: Honorary research fellowship, Cardiff University.
  • 2007-2012: National Library of Wales Advisory Board
  • 2006-2009: Board of Displaced People in Action.
  • 2006- Society of Authors
  • 2005-2011: Board of the Academi
  • 2004- Fellowship of Goodenough College, London.
  • 2003-2008: Management committee of Cyfrwng, the media journal in Wales
  • 2002- Associate Lecturer, Creative Writing, Welsh Department, Cardiff University.
  • 2002-2012 BAFTA Cymru
  • 2002-2006 Standing Liturgical Advisory Committee of the Church in Wales
  • 2001-2006 External Examiner, Media and Communication Course, MA and BA, University of Wales, Bangor
  • 1997: Membership of the Welsh Academi.
  • 1997-2002 Welsh-language Editor Poetry Wales magazine.

       Judge

  • 2015: Undercurrents Festival, Caerphilly county.
  • 2014: Undercurrents Festival, Caerphilly county.
  • 2014: Dylan Thomas International Poetry Award.
  • 2011: Literature Medal at National Eisteddfod.
  • 2011: Chair competition (learners) at National Eisteddfod.
  • 2007: John Tripp Award for Spoken Poetry, Cardiff round.
  • 2007: Wrexham Festival Poetry Competition, Welsh and English.
  • 2006: Literature Medal at National Eisteddfod.
  • 2005: Bafta Cymru judging panel: Best Magazine/Feature Programme
  • 2005: Wrexham Festival Poetry Competition, Welsh and English.
  • 2004: Chair of Welsh-language judging panel for Book of the Year Award.
  • 2003: John Tripp Award for Spoken Poetry
  • 2002: Eisteddfod Rhyng-Golegol, Free verse competitions.
    Media Awards
  • 2006: Celtic Film Festival shortlist for new media.  (Executive Producer)
  •  2005: Shortlist. Technology Wales Award, for Vocab translation application. (Executive Producer)
  • 2004: Bafta Cymru shortlist for New Media Innovation (Executive Producer)
  • 2003: Bafta Cymru shortlist for New Media Award. (Executive Producer)
  • 2002: Celtic Film and TV Festival shortlist for website of the year, BBC Cymru’r Byd (Executive Producer)
  • 2001: Highly Commended. BT Welsh Press Awards, for Technical Innovation. (Executive Producer)
  • 2001: Highly Commended BT Welsh Press Awards, for Website of the Year (Executive Producer)
  • 1994: British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Cymru, award, for Best Documentary. (Researcher)
  • 1994. Royal Television Society (RTS) Award for Best Regional Documentary. (Researcher)
  • 1986:  Welsh Press Awards, Weekly Newspaper Reporter of the Year.

    Major articles and anthologies

  • 'Lineage and Loss: Practising a Traditional Art in Changing Times': Book 2.0 Volume 13, Issue 1, Jul 2023, p. 39 - 49.
  • 'Wales and Islam: Contact, Coexistence and Conflict in Nine Centuries of Literature,' in Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, Vol 28, 2022, pp 94-113.
  • Where the Birds Sing Our Names, an anthology for Ty Hafan, ed. Tony Curtis (Seren, 2021).
  • 100 Poems to Save the Earth, eds Zoe Brigley and Kristian Evans, (Seren, 2021), 100 poets respond to the climate crisis.
  • Arrival at Elsewhere, 100 poets respond to the pandemic, curated by Carl Griffin, (Against the Grain, 2020), pp 2, 64, 65, 70.
  • Ouroboros Review, Vol. 1. Winter 2020, University of Chicago, poems in English translation p 42 & 52.
  • Poems from Cardiff, Ed. Amy Wack, (Seren, 2019) , Collection of poetry from the Capital.
  • North East Wales: Unfamiliar Complexities", The Welsh Agenda, Winter 2017, No 59, p 26-27.
  • "Yr angen am wreiddiau" ("The need for roots"), article in E. Gwynn Matthews (ed) Argyfwng Hunaniaeth a Chred; Ysgrifau ar Athroniaeth J.R.Jones, (Y Lolfa, 2017) 143-161. Volume of essays about Identity and Belief in the work of the philosopher J.R.Jones.
  • Poem, 'Coch', ('Red') in the anthology The Old Red Tongue, (Francis Boutle, 2017), featuring 300 pieces of Welsh writing from the 6th Century to the present day, edited by Gwyn Griffiths and Meic Stephens with an introduction by Professor Dafydd Johnston.
  • Entry on 'Irony' for the Esboniadur online encyclopaedia commissioned by Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, the national Welsh-language college, 2016.
  • Entry on Bryan Martin Davies for the Bywgraffiadur, online Dictionary of Welsh Biography commissioned by the National Library of Wales, 2016.
  • Four poems in Dodos and Dragons, (Aberystwyth University, 2016). Anthology of Mauritian and Welsh writing. Eds. Ameerah Arjanee, Mike Jenkins, Kavi Vadamootoo.
  • Three poems in Fesul Gair, (Gomer, 2014). Anthology for Welsh GCSE students.
  • 'In the Chapel of the Spirit'. Article on R.S Thomas in Ed. Ali Anwar Encounters with R.S., (H'mm Foundation, 2013). 
  • Poems for R.S. A Centenary Celebration, (Hay Festival Press) 2013. Eleven writers respond to poems by R.S.Thomas to mark the centenary of his birth.
  • 'Everything Must Change', in Eds. John Osmond and Peter Finch 25/25 Vision. Welsh Horizons across 50 years, (Institute of Welsh Affairs) 2012, 31-35.
  • 'On Mohammed Farid Street, A response to David M Beddoe's The Lost Mameluke: A Tale of Egypt', New Welsh Review, #96 Summer 2012, 26-35.
  • 'The Dragon and the Crescent', Arches Quarterly, Volume 4, Edition 8, Spring / Summer 2011, Europe's Islamic Past140-146.
  • 'Wales and Islam', Planet, Number 201, February 2011, 104-114.
  • 'The Novelist, the Nun and the Biscuit Tin', Eds. Valerie Henitiuk and Amanda Hopkinson, In Other Words, The Journal For Literary Translators, Number 30, Winter 2007, 74-79.
  • 'Bryan Martin Davies', Ed. Robert Rhys, Y Patrwm Amryliw, Cyfrol 2, (Barddas, 2006), 91-101. Article on the poet Bryan Martin Davies.
  • "'By Lightning Beneath the Sea': New Media in the Welsh language." Mercator Media Forum, Vol 9, (University of Wales Press, 2006), p.69-83. Ed. George Jones.
  • "Cyfannu" and "Making Whole", Beyond the Difference, Welsh Literature in Comparative Contexts, Eds. Alyce von Rothkirch, Daniel Williams, (Univ. of Wales Press, 2004), 204-205. Two poems in a festschrift for Prof. M. Wynn Thomas.
  • "Be 'Di Llyfr y Flwyddyn Rhwng Ffrindia'?' Barddas, No. 278, July / August 2004, 50-52. The experience of judging the Book of the Year competition.
  • "Sleeping with the Enemy: The Tensions of Literary Translation", New Welsh Review, No 64, Summer 2004, 58-64. 
  • "Dechreuadau: Y Gymraeg a'r Cyfryngau Newydd", Cyfrwng Media Wales Journal, Vol. 1, 2004, 26-41. Eds. James Thomas, Gwenno Ffrancon. New media in the Welsh language.
  • Defining a Nation: Wales and the BBC, BBC Wales, 2004. Jointly edited with Patrick Hannan. Essays by various authors on the role of the BBC in Wales.
  • "Welsh and Jewish: Responses to Wales by Jewish Writers", Culture and the State, University of Alberta, Edmonton, 2004, Volume 3, 211. Eds James Gifford, Gabrielle Zezulka-Mailloux. 
  • "Borders in the Mind", Agenda, Spring 2004, 4-9. Border mentalities in Wales and elsewhere.
  • Plamak (“Flame”), Number. 3-4, Bulgaria, 2002. Guest-edited edition of Bulgaria's leading literary magazine, devoted to writers from Wales. 
  • “Bryan Martin Davies”, Mae'n Gêm o Ddau Fileniwm, Beirdd a Barddoniaeth, (Carreg Gwalch, 2002). Ed. Myrddin ap Dafydd.
  •  “Adennill Tir”, Merthyr a Thaf, (Gomer, 2001). Ed. Hywel Teifi Edwards. Autobiographical essay on background in Merthyr Tydfil. 
  • “Wythnos yng Nghymru’r Byd”: Chwileniwm (University of Wales Press, 2002). Ed. Angharad Price. New technology and the Welsh language.
  • “Success against the odds”, New Welsh Review No. 55, 2002. A critical study of the best Welsh-language poets under 45. 
  • “Rhagfur a Rhagfarn: gwrth-semitiaeth yng ngwaith Saunders Lewis, T.S.Eliot a Simone Weil”; Taliesin, No. 100, 2000. Anti-semitism in the work of Saunders Lewis, T.S.Eliot and Simone Weil.
  • “Resident Aliens; R.S.Thomas and the Anti-Modern Movement”: Welsh Writing in English, 7/2001-2 Ed. Tony Brown.  
  • “Minority Report"; Cardiff Central, ed Francesca Rhydderch, Gomer, 2003. Autobiograhical essay on background in Cardiff.
  • The Bloodaxe Book of Modern Welsh Poetry, ed. John Rowlands and Menna Elfyn. Bloodaxe, 2003. Four poems and 11 translations in a major anthology of 20th Century Welsh-language poetry in English translation.  
  • Note: All Grahame Davies's travel and domestic and office energy use is carbon-balanced via the Woodland Trust.

 

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