Zoë Brigley Thompson: Celtic Bards

Anticipating the spirit of St. Paddy's Day, Welsh poet Zoë Brigley will be discussing the Celtic bard and what modern writers can take from this ancient tradition. While poets are often thought of as dreamy and unpractical, the Celtic bard was regarded with respect. The bardic tradition dates back to the sixth century and presents a very different role for the writer. Rather than being about personal expression, the position of bard dictated serving the community. Reflecting on her own experiences of being a Celtic poet, Zoë will question what legacies ancient bards like Taliesin have left for modern writers.