On May 14th 2017 we will celebrate the third annual International Dylan Thomas Day. We’re taking a look back at the first two years and sharing images of some of the many celebrations that have taken place.

The launch event at the National Library of Wales (Photos: Literature Wales & Andrew Dally). Actor Adrian Metcalfe takes the audience on a promenade performance around the Dylan Thomas exhibition.

2015

The day begins with the unveiling of Dylan’s ‘lost’ fifth poetry notebook, purchased by Swansea University at Sotheby’s.

(Photos: Swansea University)

Other events in Swansea

In London, at Dylan’s former Fitzrovia drinking haunt The Wheatsheaf, where a play about Dylan written by Nick Hennegan was performed (Photos: Nick Hennegan).

May 14th was chosen as the date to celebrate Dylan Thomas as it was on that day in 1953 that Under Milk Wood was first performed on stage with a cast, at the 92Y Poetry Center in New York. So it was particularly fitting that a new performance of his play for voices was recorded on the very same stage. Actor Michael Sheen led the cast and directed the performance. (Photo: 92Y)

Michael Sheen leads the cast in Under Milk Wood

Dylan Thomas fans shared ‘Dylan Selfies’ on social media

Daf at the Tin Shed Experience in Laugharne

He wrote for everyone! #DylanDay #DylanSelfie @DylanThomasNews @DylanThomas_100 pic.twitter.com/WRoNvLaHw8

— celyn jones (@celynjones) May 12, 2015

One member of staff is incredibly excited about #DylanDay She may be found lurking in the poetry section! pic.twitter.com/Sg4wKtPvo8

— Haslemere Bookshop (@HaslemereBooks) May 14, 2015

Andrew, Bernard and Ricky with some #DylanSelfies for #DylanDay today. (cc @litwales) pic.twitter.com/bXXC68j51W

— 92nd Street Y (@92Y) May 14, 2015

It’s #DylanDay. Would be wrong not to do a #DylanSelfie in honour of the Welsh icon. pic.twitter.com/wSd0Cb2DCW

— Bazz Barrett (@bazzbarrett) May 14, 2015

#dylanselfie #dylanday @LibraryLine @zjpjarvis @llanelli_riots Julia Poetonthehill, Fernhill on Town’ill .mush #POTH pic.twitter.com/Q7wUJ0OOxK

— Julia Manser (@JuliaManser) May 14, 2015

2016

The day begins in New Quay where sand artist Marc Treanor recreates the 2016 logo on the beach.

(Photo & Video: Marc Treanor)

Meanwhile in Pembrokeshire, Dylan was celebrated with a weekend long festival in Fishguard (Photo: Marc Mordey)

Discovering Under Milk Wood film locations in Fishguard

Tall tales are told at Laugharne Castle (Photos: Mab Jones)

A promenade performance of Return Journey took place in Swansea with Adrian Metcalfe of Lighthouse Theatre. (Photos: Andrew Dally)

Swansea University was at the centre of events where newly acquired Dylan Thomas manuscripts were unveiled, and later, in the Great Hall at the University’s new Bay Campus, the 2016 Dylan Thomas Prize ceremony took place. (Photos: Swansea University & Andrew Dally)

Events in Cardiff

Meanwhile in England

(Photos: British Library, John Goodby & Ade Osborne)

Events also took place in New York, Patagonia, Australia, and Italy.

2017?

In 2017 we can expect another wide range of events celebrating Dylan Thomas. How will you chose to celebrate on the day?

If you’re planning an event we’d love to hear about it, and don’t forget to share on social media with the hashtags #DylanDay or #DyddDylan.

You can contact Dylan Day Coordinator Mab Jones at intdylanthomasday@gmail.com

More Information

Dylan Day on Facebook
Dylan Day on Twitter
Literature Wales – Dylan Day web page
Discover Dylan Thomas – Dylan Day web page
Dylan Day Resources

Categories: Arts News

Tags: "international Dylan Thomas Day", "under milk wood", #DylanDay, Dylan Thomas, events, poetry, Swansea, wales