Hiraeth: Stories from Welsh Patagonia

2015 | Biography

During the first half of the 19th century, individuals in Wales were inspired by the idea of establishing a Welsh colony. They wanted to leave for numerous reasons; to escape poverty, to seek religious freedom and to establish a new country where Welsh would be the language of religion, government, trade and education. In Wales at that time, it was not possible as Wales was gradually being absorbed into England. For these reasons, on May the 28th, 1865 a group of 153 Welshmen and women set sail for a new life in Argentinian Patagonia to save and hold on to what they believed in, their religion, dying language and culture. Hiraeth unearths the fascinating history of the Welsh experience in Patagonia in time to celebrate the 150th anniversary of their voyage, and is told through passionate, honest and inspiring stories from the people who now live their lives as part of the Welsh Colony in Patagonia.

Steph Davies (Author)

Lucy Burns (Author)