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Reading the Wild Returns to Llandovery This Weekend

A lone tree on a landscape with blue tones. Text: "Reading the Wild: Lit Fest, May 9-10, Llandovery." Info about tickets and contacts below. #literaturefestival #llandovery #festivalwales #readingthewild #naturewriting #llanymddyfri

Llandovery is set to welcome back Reading the Wild / Darllen y Gwyllt this weekend (9-10 May 2026), as the unique literature festival grows into a full two-day celebration of nature, storytelling and environmental thought.

Following a successful debut last year, the festival has quickly established itself as a distinctive cultural event in Carmarthenshire - and the only literary festival in Wales dedicated entirely to the natural world and the challenges it faces, including climate change.

Centred at the Castle Hotel, the event will spill out across the town, with Llandovery embracing visitors through a lively Saturday farmers’ market, free parking and special offers from local accommodation providers. Set against the backdrop of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, the weekend offers a perfect opportunity to explore both landscape and literature.

A Weekend of Ideas, Creativity and Connection

Bringing together writers, illustrators and environmental voices from across Wales and beyond, the programme explores everything from conservation and rewilding to folklore, food heritage and children’s literature.

A major highlight is the Welsh launch of Book of Birds, with acclaimed author and illustrator Jackie Morris in conversation with broadcaster Jon Gower. Years in the making, the book reflects both a deep love of birdlife and a quiet urgency around its decline.

The line-up also includes rewilding advocate Derek Gow, author Carwyn Graves, Archie Miles, Alys Fowler, poet Bethany Handley and Adele Nozedar, alongside a strong presence of Welsh voices. Younger audiences are well catered for too, with appearances from Children’s Laureate Wales Nicola Davies, as well as award-winning writers Helen and Thomas Docherty and Emily Gravett.

Beyond the Page

Reading the Wild is as much about experience as it is about discussion. Alongside talks and book launches, visitors can take part in guided wildflower walks, foraging sessions, forest bathing and nature journalling workshops - all designed to deepen connections with the surrounding environment.

Adding a creative local touch, artist Amanda Rose has once again designed the festival’s physical tickets, crafted from recycled materials and intended to be kept as bookmarks.

A Community-Led Celebration

Organised by Mandy Thomas of Books at The Dragon’s Garden, the festival reflects a strong community effort, with local businesses, venues and residents working together to welcome visitors.

By bringing people into the town outside the peak holiday period, Reading the Wild also plays an important role in supporting Llandovery’s independent economy and showcasing the value of culture-led tourism in rural areas.

With a rich programme, inspiring speakers and the landscape itself as a backdrop, Reading the Wild promises a thoughtful and engaging weekend in the heart of rural Wales.

Find the full programme and tickets online: https://dragons-garden.com/product-category/reading-the-wild-darllen-y-gywllt-literature-festival-2026/ Mae Reading the Wild yn Dychwelyd i Lanymddyfri’r Penwythnos Hwn

Mae Lanymddyfri ar fin croesawu’n ôl Reading the Wild / Darllen y Gwyllt y penwythnos hwn (9-10 Mai 2026), wrth i’r ŵyl lenyddiaeth unigryw dyfu’n ddathliad dau ddiwrnod llawn o natur, adrodd straeon a syniadau amgylcheddol.

Yn dilyn lansiad llwyddiannus y llynedd, mae’r ŵyl wedi sefydlu ei hun yn gyflym fel digwyddiad diwylliannol nodedig yn Sir Gaerfyrddin - a’r unig ŵyl lenyddiaeth yng Nghymru sy’n canolbwyntio’n llwyr ar y byd naturiol a’r heriau sy’n ei wynebu, gan gynnwys newid hinsawdd.

Wedi’i chanoli yng Ngwesty’r Castle, bydd y digwyddiad yn ymestyn ar draws y dref, gyda Lanymddyfri yn croesawu ymwelwyr drwy farchnad ffermwyr brysur ddydd Sadwrn, parcio am ddim a chynigion arbennig gan ddarparwyr llety lleol. Gyda chefndir Parc Cenedlaethol Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), mae’r penwythnos yn cynnig cyfle perffaith i archwilio tirwedd a llenyddiaeth.

Penwythnos o Syniadau, Creadigrwydd a Chysylltiad

Gan ddod ag awduron, darlunwyr a lleisiau amgylcheddol ynghyd o bob cwr o Gymru a thu hwnt, mae’r rhaglen yn archwilio popeth o gadwraeth ac ailwylltio i lên gwerin, treftadaeth bwyd a llenyddiaeth plant.

Uchafbwynt mawr fydd lansiad Cymreig Book of Birds, gyda’r awdur a’r darlunydd enwog Jackie Morris mewn sgwrs â’r darlledwr Jon Gower. Wedi’i chreu dros nifer o flynyddoedd, mae’r llyfr yn adlewyrchu cariad dwfn at fywyd adar ynghyd ag ymdeimlad tawel o bryder am eu dirywiad.

Mae’r rhaglen hefyd yn cynnwys Derek Gow, sy’n hyrwyddo ailwylltio, yr awdur Carwyn Graves, Archie Miles, Alys Fowler, y bardd Bethany Handley ac Adele Nozedar, ynghyd â phresenoldeb cryf o leisiau Cymreig. Bydd digon i gynulleidfaoedd iau hefyd, gyda Nicola Davies, Bardd Plant Cymru, yn ogystal ag awduron arobryn Helen a Thomas Docherty ac Emily Gravett.

Y Tu Hwnt i’r Dudalen

Mae Reading the Wild yn ymwneud cymaint â phrofiad ag y mae â thrafodaeth. Yn ogystal â sgyrsiau a lansiadau llyfrau, gall ymwelwyr gymryd rhan mewn teithiau cerdded tywysedig i adnabod blodau gwyllt, sesiynau chwilota, ymdrochi mewn coedwigoedd a gweithdai journali natur - pob un wedi’u cynllunio i ddyfnhau’r cysylltiad â’r amgylchedd o’n cwmpas.

Gan ychwanegu cyffyrddiad creadigol lleol, mae’r artist Amanda Rose unwaith eto wedi dylunio tocynnau corfforol yr ŵyl, wedi’u gwneud o ddeunyddiau wedi’u hailgylchu ac wedi’u bwriadu i’w cadw fel marcwyr llyfrau.

Dathliad dan Arweiniad y Gymuned

Trefnir yr ŵyl gan Mandy Thomas o Books at The Dragon’s Garden, ac mae’n adlewyrchu ymdrech gymunedol gref, gyda busnesau, lleoliadau a thrigolion lleol yn cydweithio i groesawu ymwelwyr.

Drwy ddenu pobl i’r dref y tu allan i’r cyfnod gwyliau prysur, mae Reading the Wild hefyd yn chwarae rhan bwysig wrth gefnogi economi annibynnol Lanymddyfri ac yn dangos gwerth twristiaeth dan arweiniad diwylliant mewn ardaloedd gwledig.

Gyda rhaglen gyfoethog, siaradwyr ysbrydoledig a’r dirwedd ei hun yn gefndir, mae Reading the Wild yn addo penwythnos difyr ac ystyrlon yng nghalon Cymru wledig.


 
 
 

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