Dafydd Iwan is a renowned folk singer and politician originally from Brynamman, Carmarthenshire, now living near Caernarfon. Awarded an honorary LL.D. by the University of Wales for his contribution to Wales and the Welsh language, the singer-songwriter has released many albums, and is an author of several books. His song “Yma o Hyd” was the Welsh football team’s official song in the World Cup in Qatar.
Ali Goolyad is a poet, actor and a community activist. Born in Hargeisa, Somaliland, Ali migrated to Wales aged 1. His previous work includes writing and performing in De Gabay, (National Theatre Wales), Border Game, Storm 2, Big Democracy Project (National Theatre Wales), Borderland (Radio 4), Talking Doorsteps (Roundhouse), Mattan Injustice of a Hanged Man (BBC), and Black and Welsh (BBC Wales). Ali is a collaborator at heart and loves the version of Welsh culture he creates.
A chance meeting between Ali and Dafydd in central Cardiff during the lead up to the World Cup and a connection with the lyrics of ‘Yma o Hyd’ sparked an interest in the potential for a musical/spoken word collaboration between these two very different proud Welshmen.