TAIR: A year and a day of women’s stories, inspired by the work of storyteller Esyllt Harker

The show TAIR: Daughters of Earth and Time was created and performed by storyteller and singer Esyllt Harker in 2012. For Esyllt, that performance was ‘just the beginning’ of the work’s journey. Sadly, she died before being able to develop it further.

Now, in 2024, Chwedl is proud to share Esyllt’s notes and research over three Tair weekends, stretching across a year and a day.

We invite women here in Wales, and further afield, to explore and develop Esyllt’s work with us.

TAIR, meaning ‘three’ in Welsh, tells the stories of three Welsh women from story, history and poetry: 

• Elen, immortalised in the Mabinogion tale, ‘Breuddwyd Macsen Wledig / The Dream of Macsen Wledig’.
• Gwenllian, the Welsh warrior princess, whose death on the battlefield at the hands of the Normans is a seminal event in our Nation’s history. 
• Heledd, who gives her name to  ‘Canu Heledd/ Heledd’s Song’, a long and complex poem dating from around the 9th century.

Our journey begins on 31^st May 2024 with Cath Little, Angharad Owen and Claire Mace, exploring Elen’s story and her mythic landscape in and around North West Wales, through listening to her story, visiting her places, and exploring storytelling tools and techniques.

On 20 September 2024 we head to south-west Wales to join Angharad Wynne for a weekend weaving history, story and ceremony, as we walk the land of Gwenllian’s rebel court and the battlefield where she died.

In Spring 2025 the journey moves to the Welsh Marches, to walk Heledd’s land.

The journey will conclude after a year and a day, on 1^st June 2025 in Neuadd Ogwen, Bethesda, when all who have taken part will have the opportunity to come together in celebration.

You can come to all the workshops or just to one. All women, and those who identify as women, are welcome.

DETAILS OF WEEKEND 1: ELEN

TAIR: ELEN will happen in and around Caernarfon from Friday 31st – Sunday 2nd June 2024.

Friday 31st May 7.30pm Storytelling show ‘Dreaming the Other World’ – Galeri, LL55 1SQ 

Saturday 1st June 10am-5pm Storytelling workshop – Town Council/Institute Building, LL55 1AT

Saturday 1st June 7.30pm Open Story Session – Yacht Club, LL55 1SN

Sunday 2nd June 10am-1pm Walking in Elen’s footsteps – near Betws y Coed / Caerhun in Conwy (lift shares from Caernarfon available)

This will be a bilingual space where Welsh speakers and non-Welsh speakers are welcome.

You will need to arrange food and accommodation in Caernarfon or at a nearby campsite.  Email claire@anadlu.com for some suggestions.

If you have mobility or other needs, please get in contact to discuss how we can best support you. The Friday and Saturday venues are spread across the town of Caernarfon. If you have a blue badge, you will be able to park near to venues, otherwise expect a 5-10 minute walk from one of the official carparks. On Sunday we will be walking on rural footpaths.

Tickets for the weekend include all the gigs, workshops and walks.

Weekend ticket – regular price £75

Weekend ticket – concession price (unwaged, low income) £50 

The performance on Friday night is also open to the public, including men and young people over 11. Tickets for this will be available via Galeri (you don’t need to book an extra ticket if you book for the weekend) https://www.galericaernarfon.com/