The event entitled, ‘Laboratories of the Spirit’ will debate the religious poetry of the acclaimed Welsh poet and Anglican priest as part of the R.S. Thomas 2013 programme, commemorating the centenary of Thomas’s birth.

The discussion will be chaired by Professor M Wynn Thomas OBE FBA FLSW, of the Centre for Research into the English Literature and Language of Wales (CREW) at Swansea University, a Vice-President of the Learned Society of Wales, and Thomas’s literary executor.

Dr Barry Morgan said, “ It is always a great privilege to share a platform with Rowan Williams and I am looking forward to learning more about this great Welsh poet R.S. Thomas, as well as contributing something to the discussion.”

The event is an Anniversaries lecture organised by the Learned Society of Wales, in association with the Research Institute for Arts and Humanities (RIAH) and forms part of RIAH’s public lecture and event series which annually welcomes many high-profile speakers to Swansea.

Professor Wynn Thomas, Vice-President (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences) of the Learned Society of Wales said, “On the hundredth anniversary of the birth of R. S. Thomas, one of the great modern poets of spiritual quest, it is fitting that two of the most eminent churchmen of today – Dr Rowan Williams, Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge and former Archbishop of Canterbury, and Dr Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales – consider the precious legacy of his vision.”

Deputy Director of RIAH, Dr Elaine Canning said, “RIAH is delighted to welcome the Most Reverend Dr Barry Morgan and the Right Reverend Dr Rowan Williams as they share the stage with Professor M Wynn Thomas, author of the recently-published R.S. Thomas: Serial Obsessive .  ‘Laboratories of the Spirit’ forms part of the R.S Thomas 2013 programme and offers a wonderful opportunity to hear these experts present fresh insights into the religious poetry of one of Wales’ leading twentieth-century poets.”

‘Laboratories of the Spirit’ takes place on 1 November 2013 at the Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea University and starts promptly at 6.30pm.

Tickets are priced at: £5 / £3.50 concessions

Please call the Box Office to book: 01792 60 20 60

For more information:

Learned Society contact: smorse@lsw.wales.ac.uk / 02920 376971

http://learnedsocietywales.ac.uk/

RIAH contact: riah@swansea.ac.uk / 01792 295190

http://www.swan.ac.uk/riah/

Picture: Former Archbishop of Canterbury, the Right Reverend Dr Rowan Williams ©Magdelene College

Picture: Archbishop of Wales, Barry Morgan ©Church in Wales