Caerphilly`s Cultural Olmpiad project has a name... Awen

Why call it Awen?

The inspiration for the Awen project, is Caerphilly Castle and Awen is a Welsh word for "(poetic) inspiration". It is historically used to describe the inspiration of bards in the Welsh poetic tradition. Awen appears in the tales of Taliesin:
Taliesin began life as Gwion Bach, a servant to the enchantress Ceridwen. Ceridwen had a beautiful daughter and an ugly son named Morfran , whose appearance no magic could cure. Ceridwen sought to give him the gift of wisdom as compensation and cooked a potion granting inspiration (Awen), which had to be constantly stirred and cooked for a year and a day. A blind man named Morda tended the fire beneath the cauldron, while Gwion Bach stirred. The first three drops of liquid from this cauldron would give wisdom; the rest was a fatal poison. Three hot drops spilled onto Gwion's thumb as he stirred, and he instinctively put his thumb in his mouth, instantly gaining wisdom and knowledge.
It also appears in the third stanza of Hen Wlad fy Nhadau, and as part of the inscription on the impressive Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.
Arts Development have devised a whole host of innovative arts activity, which will engage, inspire and motivate young people to create a wealth of artistic and cultural work in a variety of art forms, celebrating the history and culture of the borough, castle and the people of Caerphilly.

Radio Wales broadcast May 2011

Some may find this interesting...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b010wvkp

Radio Wales visited the Castle on May 2nd to interview various people taking part in an event held at the Castle on that day.

Caerphilly`s Medieval Christmas Market

11 December 12am Tel: 029 2088 3143
12 December 12am Tel: 029 2088 3143
Christmas comes to Caerphilly Castle on the 11th and 12th of December this year.
Enter the castle's mighty walls and enjoy the medieval festive atmosphere of the fayre while you browse the undercover stalls bursting with tasty food, delicious drinks and traditional crafts, enough to delight everyone. Medieval acts and action will keep everyone entertained and the Singing Plague Victims return to inflict their own particular 'music' on their audience. With mummers mumming, jugglers juggling, ferrets racing and a special visit from Father Christmas himself your yuletide will be set rolling. Outside the castle the main street is closed to traffic and filled with the town market which throngs with visitors.
Normal admission prices apply to Caerphilly Castle where the medieval market is open between 9.30am and 5pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.

2010 Fireworks display

On Saturday the 6th November , the Castle is a back drop to one of Wales biggest fireworks show, the display starts at 7pm, every year the display gets better and better, collection buckets will welcome donations in aid of local charities.So wrap up warm and enjoy a fabulous night.

Illuminata 2010

Illuminata 2010 has now started Ross Ashton and his team have produced an amazing digital sound and light show its simply brillant. As part of the the Cauldrons and Furnaces, Claire Williams and the children of Caerphilly Borough add energy and drama, and on the Fire and drum nights the Caerphilly samba band bang their drums while fire dancers dazzle the audience. This weekend the 2nd and 3rd October the Castle celebrates the Harvest Medieval style from morning to night the festivities begin, with the very 1st Michealmas fair to be held in the Castle followed by Illuminata and a Medieval Banquet in the Greathall which includes entertainment from the Monmouthshire minstrels and Fiery Jack the castles jester.Not to be missed on the 1st October "One String Loose" headline the Welsh Music and Banquet night. When ever you choose to come your not be disappointed, so don`t delay book your tickets and enjoy a truly memorable experience.

Illuminata

The history of Caerphilly Castle lights up

An amazing technicolour journey through centuries of love, hatred, bitter conflict, woeful destruction and ultimate restoration will be played out as Illuminata 2010 comes to Caerphilly Castle from September 26th until October 8th. The castle’s history will form the centrepiece of this unique digital light and sound spectacular which coincides with the Ryder Cup 2010 taking place in nearby Newport.

More information on the Illuminata event can be found at http://www.cadwevents.co.uk/. Tickets are also available to buy from £5 through the Cadw events website, at Caerphilly Castle (02920 883143) itself and via Ticketline UK http://www.ticketlineuk.co.uk/.