About

Brecon's poetry trail invites everyone to explore the streets, rivers and landmarks of the ancient Welsh town of Brecon and its connection to the myths and legends of the magical, mystical land of Wales.

The poems include references to names and events from The Mabinogion, verses recalling the deeds of Guto Nyth Bran, Taliesin, Gwenllian and others including the modern Olympian long jump legend Lynn Davies.

There is a strong Olympic theme throughout, as the trail was inspired by the Cultural Olympiad of the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the desire to embrace the whole of Britain through sport and culture.

Theatr Brycheiniog was one of seven arts organisations in Britain, and the only one in Wales, chosen to join the celebration, commissioning a permanent artistic installation for the enjoyment of the people of Brecon and visitors to the town.

Ten Welsh poets were commissioned to compose four-line verses incorporating Olympic elements of their choice within a framework of Welsh myths and legends or imagery with a strong Welsh resonance. The collective result is an outstanding monument to the wealth, depth and breadth of the richness and diversity of modern Welsh poetry in both languages.

The Welsh slate used for the poems is from the Ffestiniog quarries in Snowdonia. Elke Curtis of CUTnETCH near Crickhowell was commissioned to design and laser-etch the poems onto the slate.