International Dylan Thomas Day

International Dylan Thomas Day is a worldwide celebration of the famous poet. Dylan Thomas left his mark on history through his heartfelt lyrical poems, the emotion of which is literally overwhelming when you read them. The holiday is celebrated annually on May 14.

History

The history of International Dylan Thomas Day begins with an initiative by Literature Wales. Financial support for events on the poet’s work comes from the government of Wales, where the great man was born.

Dylan Marlais Thomas was born in Swansea, Wales, in 1914. He did not like his schooling and left it to become a reporter for a local publication. A year and a half later, however, he had to quit, at the behest of his employer. He then began to devote time to writing poetry and other works. In the 1930s, he had already gained enough popularity to fuel his further creations. In the late 1930s Thomas was already appearing on radio and television with his poems.

One of his best works is the play Under the Shadow of the Milkwood, which was adapted for the play by D. Metcalfe and presented to the public in 2014. This means only one thing: the author’s work is alive and imprinted for centuries in the history of literature in England and the world.

Interesting facts

• Д. Thomas gained great popularity despite his death at the early age of 39.
• Thomas had two sinful pleasures: hard alcohol and women. His early death was provoked by the large amount of alcohol his body could not handle.
• Love and death are among the main themes in the poet’s works.

How to celebrate

Read the poem by D. Thomas on this day. Describe what emotions you felt while doing so. Learn more facts about the poet’s life.

Tell about the holiday on social networks. Ask users if they read Thomas’ poems. Did they like them or not?

When is International Dylan Thomas Day celebrated in 2023?

International Dylan Thomas Day is observed on May 14 each year.

Observations