New series: The Story of Wales
Post categories: History, Television
| 11:24 UK time, Friday, 23 December 2011
We're all very excited at BBC Wales History as we look forward to a new year, and a stunning new series from BBC Cymru Wales - The Story of Wales.
Telling the story of the nation from 30,000 years ago, the six-part series is presented by the incomparable Huw Edwards, who has overseen a few series for us, including one on the story of the Welsh language.
This trail is our first glimpse of the programme - the recreation of the first known burial in western Europe, that of the Red Lady of Paviland. As it turned out, she wasn't a woman at all but a man, buried with some ceremony at a time when mammoths, rhinos and hyenas roamed the land. The loss of this single human life counted for something even then.
We think you'll agree that even this small glimpse at the footage reveals we're all in for a treat in the new year.
The Story of Wales is packed with heroes and triumphs, grand dreams and great endeavours. From a land of story-tellers, this is the story of the land itself and of the people who've shaped it.
Huw himself has said that making the programme was "a dream come true for me. How could any Welsh broadcaster not be energised by the challenge of telling the nation's story?"
It's the first time in a generation that BBC Cymru Wales has tackled the story of our history - the last major series to do so was The Dragon Has Two Tongues which aired in the mid-1980s. And an awful lot has changed since then.
We can't tell you exactly when The Story of Wales will start in the new year, but we can promise you a compelling tale, packed with dramatic reconstructions and impressive CGI. Keep an eye on the programme site and on BBC One and BBC Two Wales for news.
Comment number 1.
At 14:56 23rd Dec 2011, CA Jones wrote:"It's the first time in a generation that BBC Cymru Wales has tackled the story of our history - the last major series to do so was The Dragon Has Two Tongues which aired in the mid-1980s."
Ahem - 'The Dragon Has Two Tongues' was actually produced by HTV Wales.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
At 15:12 3rd Jan 2012, Wales History wrote:CA Jones thanks for your comment. 'The Dragon Has Two Tongues - A History of the Welsh' was a 13-part series produced by HTV Wales and broadcast on Channel 4 in 1985.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
At 01:09 13th Jan 2012, Felicity Barr wrote:Really looking forward to this series. I've mentioned it on my history blog http://hungryforhistory.wordpress.com/
Complain about this comment (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
At 14:42 22nd Feb 2012, alunsonref wrote:Hello
I come from Llangynwyd in Mid Glam. I live in Bromley, Kent
So my comment/question is: wiil this series be shown in England on any channel I can access? I have a freeview box
Complain about this comment (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
At 08:23 23rd Feb 2012, Wales History wrote:Hi Alun,
The series will be available on iPlayer and outside Wales on Freesat 964, Sky 972 or Virgin Media 864.
Hope this helps.
Wales History
Complain about this comment (Comment number 5)
Comment number 6.
At 16:14 28th Feb 2012, Ron wrote:Hi
Name is Ron and live in KIDWELLY very close to the CASTLE.
I enjoyed the first program on Monday and looking forward to the
one on Thursday,and the complete series
By the way I was born Ehglish but now WELSH by the grace of GOD
Complain about this comment (Comment number 6)
Comment number 7.
At 20:10 1st Mar 2012, alanjmcl wrote:I hope Mr Edwards will bring some objectivity to the series and not use it as a vehicle for his nationalist views. My country is a very small player on the world stage and always has been. I am proud of my Welsh identity but unlike Mr Edwards, it does not blind me to the fact our influence on world history and culture as been negligable. It was laughable when he compared the society which produced the Mold Golden Cape with the glories of Ancient Egypt !
Complain about this comment (Comment number 7)
Comment number 8.
At 22:22 1st Mar 2012, alfsplace1986 wrote:7 What is the difference with Mr Edwards pursuing as you say, in your view his 'Nationalistic' views. To you criticising it because of your obvious Socialist views.
I say that because it seems that Socialists can't accept that Wales had a legitimate History before the Industrial Revolution and they criticise it as being Nationalistic. Why?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 8)
Comment number 9.
At 21:38 26th Mar 2012, hopcyn wrote:This is a wonderful series particularly the medieval content. The music is very striking. What is it and is it available as a CD?
Complain about this comment (Comment number 9)
Comment number 10.
At 12:09 27th Mar 2012, Tosh_fan wrote:I saw the latter half of the series and really enjoyed it. Huw Edwards is someone I really enjoy listening to. I am also interested in the above exchange (see comments 7 & 8). I consider myself to be Pro-Welsh Language but against the dangerous devolution project. I had prepared myself (but this has nothing to do with Huw Edwards) for insinuations that we owe what is good about Wales to Plaid/Labour/Devolution etc but I found the comments about the Conservative Party's record on the Welsh Language to be fair and objective. Even with devolution, despite no opponent being interviewed, he did atleast acknowledge that turnout on devolution related matters has been low.
Complain about this comment (Comment number 10)