THE organisers behind the Gŵyl Daniel Owen Festival are celebrating the success of the 2021 event, which has drawn to a close after a week of exciting events in and around Mold.

As well as bringing to life the written and spoken word, the festival explored the rich heritage of the area through guided walks and live performances.

The festival highlights the life and work of prominent Victorian Welsh language novelist Daniel Owen, who lived in Mold. His stories, which are often set in the town and surrounding area, address the hypocrisy and social issues of the age. Unlike many authors, Daniel Owen’s novels were popular during his life time.

Nia Jones, chair of the festival, said: “It has been a joy to meet up with the festival’s loyal supporters again this year and also to see new people coming to both in-person and online events. Our grateful thanks to all the sponsors, partners and individuals who have worked together to make the festival an enriching experience, celebrating the culture and heritage of Mold and area.

“All week we’ve enjoyed events in both Welsh and English from lectures and illustrated talks, to the return of live performances on Daniel Owen Square. Tegeingl Tanglers and Cambria Band put on a brilliant show there on Saturday morning.”

Acclaimed author and professor at Bangor University, Jerry Hunter, took ‘Humour in Daniel Owen’s Fiction’ as his subject for this year’s prestigious lecture on Monday evening. Prof Hunter enhanced the knowledge and understanding of Daniel Owen’s novels by examining his use of rhetoric, satire and irony, to challenge commonly held views of the period.

On Thursday evening local historian, Brian Bennet, gave an entertaining insight into what Mold would have been like during the time of Daniel Owen. His talk at Ebenezer Chapel was illustrated using Brian’s extensive collection of postcards and publications from the 1830s to the mid twentieth century.

The last event of the 2021 festival was an informative illustrated online talk by Eira Hughes, chair of the Friends of Bailey Hill. Eira’s main focus was Bailey Hill as a park and how it fitted into the historic development of parks across the UK, especially in relation to horticulture.

Four popular autumnal walks during the week allowed guests to appreciate the built and natural environment in both town and country.

The guided walks explored some of the places associated with Daniel Owen in Mold; along with the beautiful limestone countryside around Rhydymwyn, which is the theme of his novel Enoc Huws.

A well-attended walk around the Gwysaney Estate explored another area steeped in local history. The visit to the Alleluia Monument and Baptistry at Rhual was particularly popular. Walkers took the opportunity to visit the sites thanks to the kind permission of Rhual Farm.

Nia Jones added: “Many thanks to our partners at Walkabout Flintshire, Clwydian Ramblers, and the Friends of Clwydian Range and Dee Valley for leading the walks. We have enjoyed exploring our rich culture and unique heritage here in North East Wales.”