On the afternoon of Saturday, 4 December, 2021, The Welsh Society of Western New England hosted its annual Christmas Celebration-on-Zoom. Page 6 January 2022 Although it was hoped we could all meet in person this year, once again, Zoom was deemed to be the safest option. The festivities however, did not suffer.
Our Christmas Zoom
Like it or not, Zoom has become a part of our lives. Speaking for myself and my Mom, Mary Jane Ewart, our comfort level with this format has greatly improved, and we are certainly aware Zoom has made it possible for us to participate in, and enjoy, events of all kinds. Welsh language and cultural events have made up a big part of our new, virtual lifestyle. So, as we watched the 40 some faces appear on our screen to celebrate a “Nadolig Llawen” last Saturday, most of them were familiar. Most were the faces of friends we have never met in person, but none the less, have become a big part of our lives. They Zoomed in from all over the USA, Canada and Wales. They are our Welsh Community, and we were delighted and honored to have the chance to celebrate with them.
Celtic Harpist Kasha Breau
Mari Lwyd with Straford Wild
So to a crowd of friends dressed in red, and with lighted trees sparkling, and Susan Davies Sit started us off by introducing us to our host Magdalen Dowden. Accomplished story teller, Glyn Dowden, then read to us from Dylan Thomas’ classic “A Child’s Christmas in Wales”, with Magdalen in a supporting role. Next, Celtic Harpist Kasha Breau performed for us a selection of beautiful carols, including “Nadolig”, for which she learned the words “yn Cymraeg”. Historian Tempest Morgan gave us a fascinating lesson on the ancient yet revitalized mid-winter tradition of the Mari Lwyd, the Gray Mare, said to exist between the living and the dead. Straford Wild and Annie Rodgers then charmed us with the Mari Lwyd tradition’s practice of back and forth singing of verse in Welsh and English to decide whether to let the Mari Lwyd Page 7 January 2022 into the home for drinks and food.
The Hogia’r Bonc Choir of Bethesda, Wales, presented us with an extra special Christmas gift of song, direct from Cymru. Among their selections was a truly lovely performance of “Calon Lan”, to the tune of “Like a Rose”.
After we popped our Christmas crackers and donned our paper crowns, Straford Wild and his sister Andrea Wild, and Friends, serenaded us to the close of our celebration from two sides of the continent.
So thank you to everyone who made this event possible. Thank you for bringing us together in this time of relative isolation, to celebrate and cherish that place we all love- Cymru. Wela i chi yn fuan! by Margaret and Mary Jane Ewart (Members)