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School of Welsh

Bangor and the Big Big Book Of Wales

After nearly a decade of intensive research, writing and editing, The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales, along with its Welsh-language counterpart Gwyddoniadur Cymru yr Academi Gymreig, are published today (31 January). Edited by Menna Baines, John Davies, Nigel Jenkins, and Professor Peredur Lynch of the School of Welsh, these volumes between them contain over 1.6 million words and are the fruits of a unique academic partnership between the Welsh Academy, the University of Wales Press, the Centre for Research into the English Literature and Language of Wales (Swansea University) and the School of Welsh at Bangor.

Image of the EncyclopediaThe Encyclopaedia of Wales is the most ambitious reference work about Wales to be published since 1875. Within its covers are entries on all the people, places and events which make Wales so culturally, historically and geographically rich. With over 3,300 entries written by almost 400 contributors, the publication of both Welsh and English volumes is an event of national importance. Their publication will be celebrated in the Senedd in Cardiff on Friday 1 February, followed by a further celebration at Bangor University's Main Arts Lecture Theatre at 6.00 Friday 8 February.

Apart from Peredur Lynch and Menna Baines, who was given an academic home in the School of Welsh throughout the duration of project, other academics from Bangor have contributed substantially to both volumes, among them R. Merfyn Jones (Vice-Chancellor); Nancy Edwards, W.P. Griffith, Nia Watkin Powell and Huw Pryce (History, Welsh History and Archaeology); Densil Morgan and Robert Pope (Religious Studies); David Evans, Sally Harper, Pwyll ap Siôn, Stephen Rees and Wyn Thomas (Music); and Pam Michael (Social Sciences).

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