DREAMSCAPES SPRING/SUMMER 2015
22
H
ow could I not admire a man
whose ambition was to be a
"roistering, drunken and
doomed poet," especially since
he was so successful? I was travelling
around south Wales, exploring the man and
the countryside that inspired him. Secretly
hoping some of his talent might rub off, I
ordered another pint.
IN THE CITY OF LAUGHTER
As I discovered, memories of Dylan's turbu-
lent and roistering life are found in many
corners of Swansea, this "city of laughter,"
where Thomas was born and grew up. Not
surprising, for when Dylan died at the too-
young age of 39, he was considered the
greatest Welsh poet of the 20
th
century. I vis-
ited the Dylan Thomas Centre and viewed
his original notebooks, learned about his
life, and, spellbound, listened to recordings
of Dylan reading his poetry. I was happy to
be part of the year-long binge of readings,
festivals, talks and performances.
MEMORIES
OF DYLAN
THOMAS
QUAFFING AN ALE IN A CORNER OF THE NO SIGN
BAR, THE OLDEST PUB IN SWANSEA, I MADE A
SILENT TOAST TO DYLAN THOMAS, WHO OFTEN
CAROUSED HERE WITH HIS LITERARY FRIENDS.
BY HANS TAMMEMAGI
