Gorwelion: International conference marks 40 Years of CAWCS
Academics, writers and cultural leaders from across the world will gather in Aberystwyth later this month for Gorwelion (Horizons): International Conference (17–19 September 2025), celebrating 40 years of the University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies (CAWCS).
The three-day event, held at the National Library of Wales, will reflect on four decades of pioneering research while looking ahead to the future of Welsh and Celtic scholarship. One of the highlights will be the presence of the Rt Hon, Mark Drakeford, MS, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, who will join the conference on Wednesday 17 September, underlining the cultural and political importance of the Centre’s work.
Mark Drakeford, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language said;
“It’s wonderful to join the Centre in celebrating its remarkable work over the past 40 years and its vital contribution to the future of our language. The Centre’s world-leading research helps to preserve our cultural heritage and deepens our understanding of our language. We’re delighted to support the Centre and we’re immensely proud of all it continues to achieve for Wales and the Welsh language.”
Since its foundation in 1985, CAWCS has become a world leader in Welsh and Celtic studies. Based in Aberystwyth, it has led groundbreaking research on language, literature, history, lexicography and visual culture, while also making significant contributions to translation, digital humanities and international networks. Over four decades, the Centre has not only preserved and interpreted Wales’s cultural heritage but also brought it into conversation with global scholarship. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), the impact of its research was graded world leading.
Reflecting on this achievement, Professor Elwen Evans, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, said:
“Over the past forty years, CAWCS has established itself as a global hub for Welsh and Celtic scholarship, bringing together talent, passion, and innovation. The Gorwelion Conference is not just a celebration of our past but it’s also a gateway to the future of Celtic studies, bridging tradition with pioneering research.”
For Professor Elin Haf Gruffydd Jones, Director of CAWCS, the event is also an opportunity to highlight the strength of the Centre’s international partnerships and its role in shaping the next generation of scholarship:
“It has been a privilege to lead the Centre into its fifth decade. Gorwelion showcases the extraordinary work of our researchers and the strength of our partnerships across disciplines and borders. We look forward to engaging conversations, vibrant exchange, and laying foundations for the next era of Welsh, Celtic and international scholarship.”
The Gorwelion Conference will welcome a wide range of international speakers, panel discussions and opportunities to reflect on the richness of Celtic culture past and present.
For the full programme, further details and registration information, please visit: CAWCS Gorwelion Conference.
Further Information
Arwel Lloyd
Principal PR and Communications Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: arwel.lloyd@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07384 467076