THE Gŵyl Daniel Owen Festival returns this week for a range of events encompassing literature, poetry and spoken word, music, dance, local history and live performances.

From Friday, October 20 to Friday, October 27, the Mold-based Festival will offer visitors the opportunity to relish what is unique to the area, its culture, language and heritage.

With thought-provoking talks, an award winning writer, musicians, historians, bright new voices and outstanding guided walks in Mold and the surrounding area there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The annual festival celebrates the life and works of the outstanding Welsh-language novelist of the 19th century, Daniel Owen, who lived and worked in Mold. After 14 years the festival continues to break new ground with a programme featuring national and local writers and performers.

The vibrant ‘Dance, Song and Stories’ in Daniel Owen Square is on Saturday  (October 21), with colourful traditional Morris dancing from Tegeingl Tanglers and Dawnswyr Delyn; popular choirs Côr y Pentan and the Rock Choir, joined by Cambria Band with their stirring Welsh marching music.

Our Young Writers’ Competition, ‘Fast Fashion’, short listed entries will be performed and the winners announced by the Deputy Mayor of Mold.

That evening songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Gareth Bonello (The Gentle Good) will be bringing his magical folk music to Mold Cricket Club.

The prestigious annual lecture will be presented on Monday by Meinir Pierce Jones, winner of The Daniel Owen Prize at the 2022 National Eisteddfod. Her lecture, ‘Merched Daniel Owen’, will be in Welsh, at Bethesda Chapel Hall.

The festival has four outstanding local history walks, which will be guided by Clwydian Ramblers and Walkabout Flintshire. They visit places associated with the author including Moel y Gaer and Hafod Moor and are always popular.

Calling all poets to ‘Poems and Pints’ an open-mic event at the Drovers Arms in Mold on Monday. Daniel Owen was very familiar with the old Drover’s Arms as it was across the road from where he lived for most of his life. Contributions by the local ‘Pinboard Writers’ and others in this open-mic session. Come early for your work to be slotted into the programme.

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On Tuesday and Wednesday visit the large ‘Historic Mold’ exhibition on the history of Mold over the last 200 years in photographs and memorabilia, held at the Daniel Owen Centre. Entertaining talks by local historian and author David Rowe include the intriguing ‘Frothblowers, Temperance and Assembly Hall Riot’.

‘Cwrw, Cwis Cân’ on Wednesday is a fun night with Côr y Pentan suitable for Welsh speakers and intermediate plus learners, at the Drovers in Mold.

An illustrated presentation in English on Thursday by John Atkinson, ‘Daniel Owen and Public Life’, takes a fresh look at the author as a politician, social reformer and friend of the people, held at Ebenezer Church.

Programme details are in the Festival leaflet, on the website www.danielowenfestival.com or on social media @DanielOwen1836.

You can email GwylDanielOwen@gmail.com or phone Mold Town Council on 01352 758532 ext 3. Many events are free of charge.