Anastasia Llewellyn

@anastasiallewellyn

PhD candidate in political science & public policy, University of Ottawa. Studying the intersection of language and housing activism in Wales. Sometimes lecture in translation, Concordia University. Usually somewhere between Odawa, Tiohtià:ke & Caerdydd. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

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Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· 23d

Another day, another disturbing weather warning. Since lifted in Ottawa, but still a concern in Prescott-Russell.

A screenshot of a phone screen, with the usual time and battery percentage. The background is a closeup of some colourful knitting.

The important part is the following:

EMERGENCY ALERT
ALERTE D'URGENCE
Environment Canada: TORNADO in this mobile coverage area.
Take immediate cover in a basement or interior room if weather threat approches. Shelter from flying debris if outside.
Tornado Warning, 4:11 p.m. EDT
Tuesday 21 July / Environnement
Canada : TORNADE dans votre zone actuelle de couverture cellulaire.
Réfugiez-vous sans tarder au sous-sol ou dans une pièce sans fenêtre en cas de temps menaçant. À l'extérieur, protégez-vous des débris projetés.
Alerte de tornade, 16h11 HAE le mardi 21 juillet

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Jul 1

Well, this is certainly an interesting development. No warning from the BBC that overseas access to the written word would become a paid service. Not entirely surprising after they gradually removed our access to radio and podcasts, but still incredibly disappointing.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Jun 11

Let me acknowledged the unfortunate arrival of the FIFA World Cup on our shores by sharing one of my own sporting highlights, the time my soccer coach congratulated me for my understanding of the game, and… encouraged me to be less scared of the ball next season.

A certificate in French. There are printed soccer balls scattered around the certificate. The photo was taken in poor lighting, but the printing is blue, on white paper that looks like dark cream or light brown here.

At the top left, a soccer association coat of arms featuring an illustration of a ship with a closeup of some soccer ball hexagons as backdrop. Below that are two lines of text: MOUSTIQUE 1
U9-Récréatif

In the middle, my name in large print, followed by a little paragraph about my summer of soccer:

Anastasia
Toujours aussi discrète et effacée, tu sais cependant ce qu'il faut faire aux différents moments du jeu (attaque ou défense) et tu le réussis très bien. Soit [sic] plus volontaire sur le ballon, ait moins peur de lui ou du joueur adverse et ce sera parfait. Le reste n'est que pratique.
Après tout, ce n'est qu'un jeu.
Continue l'année prochaine!

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Jun 3

The views are even better upstairs!

A view of downtown Ottawa from the university campus. From top to bottom: blue sky, skyscrapers and the parliamentary tower, lower buildings, lots of trees and a bridge, and a dual carriageway, then more trees. Blue, grey, green.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Jun 3

Day two of the annual @cpsa-acsp.bsky.social conference at @uottawa.ca, and the views from the FSS never disappoint!

Between two dark grey blackout blinds, Parliament is visible in a brightly sunlit sliver. There is also a crane. Below the building, there is the green of trees, and below that there is a dual carriageway. Above the building is bright blue sky.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· May 27

So, 2023 Stanley Cup champions, Las Vegas Knights, swept 2022 champs, the Colorado Avalanche, but the latter will be going on to play the winners of the other semi-final? Oopsie!

The NHL homepage. There are photos of hockey players, one large and three smaller, as well as a bunch of text, but the reason I share this photo is the scores at the top of the page, which erroneously indicate that the upcoming games for the Stanley Cup Final will involve Colorado and an unknown opponent. Where COL is indicated, it should say VGK, as in Vegas Knights.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· May 22

The Ottawa Welsh Society held its annual general meeting last night, and a fellow member of the committee brought me a lovely gift back from Wales. It’s nice to have my hard work recognized, and it’s particularly nice when it comes with Penderyn whisky chocolate!

On a beige fabric background, a black cardboard sleeve of chocolate, with a plastic window in the middle through which one can see the chocolate, which is embossed into rectangles with little geometric designs in the middle of each one. Gold text at the top reads as follows: Penderyn. Made with Penderyn Whisky & the finest Dark Chocolate. To the right of that, a stylized red Welsh dragon is jumping upwards towards the text. Just above the window, it says: Not to be sold to persons under the age of 16. The gold text below the window reads in all caps: Wickedly Welsh Chocolate. The three words are stacked over three rows.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· May 2

I spent today with “Solidarity Forever” stuck in my head, but one of my grandfathers made sure we’d have access to all the good socialist songs.

Two song books, each with a black and white photo, and a reddish rectangle at the top with black and white text. On the left is The Second People’s Songbook: Lift Every Voice! There is additional unclear text below, clearer snippets of which read Introduction by Paul Robeson, edited by Irwin Something. Below the main text, there is an illustration of someone reading a newspaper. There is some unclear text, but the legible bit says: for all these right we’ve just begun to fight. On the right is The People’s Somgbook (yes, the order should have been reversed!). Edited by Waldemar Hille. Forward by Alan Lomax. Preface by B.A. Botkin. Oak publications, New York. Below that is a black and white photograph of a man and two boys in dark trousers and white shirts sitting in a semi circle in what appears to be a forest. There is a fourth person with a banjo, but they are hidden by the others. The man, who is furthest to the right, is playing a guitar.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Apr 20

But you should consider getting the full festival pass! Who wouldn’t want to miss a lecture by yours truly about my time in Wales over the last couple of years. Spoiler alert: there will be several pictures of me wearing funny hats, and many gratuitous photos of Welsh scenery…

A screenshot of the following text:
Seminar 1 - A Personal History of
Wales
Sat. 10:45 - 11:45 a.m. Bellevue
South
In this talk, Anastasia Llewellyn weaves tales of her recent travels to
Wales into a discussion of Welsh culture and history, through a selection of Welsh-themed objects which each hold special meaning to her. From family history to fashion, via music and sports, these objects reflect Anastasia's journey as a Welsh learner, as well as her academic research.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Apr 20

If you’re in Kingston, ON next weekend (April 24-26), you won’t want to miss this year’s Ontario Welsh Festival, including a concert by a Welsh male voice choir, Cantorion Gogledd Cymru (North Wales Singers) on Saturday night! Tickets to the concert are available separately from festival pass.

A rectangular photo, featuring two rows. Top row, from left to right: a red treble clef musical sign with a Welsh dragon integrated into its curve; the following text over four rows: Ontario Welsh Festival Gwŷl Gymreig Ontario April 24-26, 1026 Kingston Canada; a photo of some land surrounded by water, presumably Kingston. The bottom row: a photo of two dozen or so men in suits standing with a woman in front of an old church surrounded by green grass and teees, presumably the choir; further text over eight lines: Holiday Inn Kingston-Waterfront featuring concert with Cantorion Gogledd Cymru (North Wales Singers) Direct from Wales All are Welcome Saturday, April 25, 1026, 7:30 pm St. Paul’s Anglican Church Kingston, Ontario, Canada. The colours of the graphic are the traditional Welsh red, white, and green. Some of the text is yellow on green, presumably because of the association with daffodils.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Mar 25

And Cardiff Bay, since Cardiff was my home base.

A view of Cardiff Bay. To the left, a white Ferris wheel. Then the Pierhead building, a red stone building with a clock tower. To its right, slightly further back, the Millennium Centre, an armadillo-esque slightly rounded building. At the right of the frame, aligned with the Pierhead, is the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament building, with its slate roof. In front of these is water, and two wooden structures in the water, platforms of some sort. The sky is blue and covered in big fluffy clouds.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Mar 25

And then well placed Canadian flag on the Aberystwyth prom!

Aberystwyth castle peeks out on the lower right in the background, as does the tall statue with an angel on it. Both are on top of a green mound on top of a stone wall with an alcove which is aligned with the castle. In the foreground, the promenade has a green bin on it right at the bottom middle of the frame. To its immediate right is a flagpole with a Canadian flag.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Mar 25

Here’s a gratuitous picture of Pontypridd from the 2024 National Eisteddfod.

A view of Pontypridd, from across the river towards the city centre. On the left, bright green trees, then water flowing with a bridge in the far distance. On the right, a green bank and many buildings, of brick and stone. A steeple rises up towards big clouds covering a blue sky. There are hills in the distance.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Mar 6

Text exchange with my dad sums up my thoughts.

You
I’m both thoroughly enjoying this, and not at all. Laughing emoji.
I know exactly what you mean.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Mar 2

Amidst the chaos happening all around us, it was lovely to celebrate community snd togetherness with the Ottawa Welsh Society this weekend at our annual Saint David’s Day luncheon yesterday, and our gymanfa ganu today. Dydd Gwŷl Dewi Hapus!

A round table is covered with a white tablecloth, and place settings, cups and saucers, individual butter and milk or cream cups, printed programs, a sign, a small Welsh flag. and a small glass vase with three daffodils.

A modern church sanctuary with a triangular roof, green carpeting, and wooden pews. People, mostly white haired, are standing and sitting in the pews. A short, white-haired woman conducts from the front of the church. A stained glass window rises up behind her.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Nov 11

I wonder how he describes himself? Coverage of David Szalay’s Booker Prize win is a great example of the fluidity of identity. Born in Montreal to a Canadian mother and a Hungarian father, raised mostly in England, now living in Austria. That’s a lot of layers of identity to navigate! (On left: CBC)

Recap Booker Prize
Canadian-born author David Szalay awarded 2025 Booker Prize for Flesh
Updated 15 hours ago
Szalay’s fifth novel follows a man’s rags-to-riches life

Photo of a white man with a mop of greying hair holding a copy of his book, which is white and has his name and the title on it. There is a backdrop advertising the prize, with illustrations of the trophy as well as the title.

Canadian-born author David Szalay has been awarded 2025 Booker Prize for his novel (Kirsty Wigglesworth/The Associated Press)

The Guardian web banner is blue with white writing indicating various categories

A photo of the author, whose hair is greying, in a black half-zip jumper, holding a copy of his book, which is white and bears his name and its own title.

Booker prize
David Szalay wins 2025 Booker prize for ‘dark’ Flesh

The judges ‘had never read anything like it’, says panel chair Roddy Doyle, announcing the Hungarian-British author’s novel as the - text cuts off here

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Oct 30

My talk at the North American Festival of Wales about the Welsh Bible and the fun of doing fieldwork in Wales was a hit, and I’ll be reprising it virtually for the Great Plains Welsh Heritage Centre on Sunday 2 November at 1pm CT/2pm EST/7pm GMT. It’ll be fun!

Saviour of the Language? The Role and Impact of the 1588 Welsh Bible
Anastasia Llewellyn
President of the Ottawa Welsh Society
Topic: The reasons for the translation of the Bible into Welsh commissioned by England’s Queen Elizabeth I
Sunday, November 2, 2025, 1pm Central Time
Scan for link or visit greatplainswelsh.org/events

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Sep 9

Dyn ni’n ôl! Dw i’n mor diolchgar am yr opsiwn i gael dosbarth ar-lein. Ymlaen!

Cwrsllyfr porffor a choch gyda’r geiriau hwn:
Uwch 2
Fersiwn 2
www.dysgucymraeg.cymru

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Sep 2

Signs of Welshness here this week: a banner on Sparks St., a proclamation in which the Mayor designated this week “Wales Week in Ottawa,” Côr y Penrhyn being introduced by Tudur Owen at Christ Church Cathedral, and a display of Welsh cakes at the festival marketplace.

On Sparks St., a lamppost with an overflowing flowerpot and a banner which reads “Gwlad, Gwlad, this is Wales.” A stone building with lots of windows is in the background.

A framed proclamation from the mayor of Ottawa designating this week Wales Week in Ottawa. Above it are a Canadian flag and a Welsh flag.

Côr y Penrhyn at Christ Church Cathedral Ottawa, being introduced by Tudur Owen. Large stained glass windows behind them, and greying heads in front, lining church pews.

A black table features piles of plates, and four selections of Welshcakes, along with two small bouquets of orange and red flowers.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Aug 29

Day 3 of the North American Festival of Wales is starting shortly. It’s a thrill to revisit my masters research about the Welsh Bible, and to share it with the most enthusiastic of audiences. And I’ll be adding some fun anecdotes about my travels in Wales, including a nod to my favourite public loo!

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Aug 29

The rain was so hard that it wasn’t safe for the Urdd Dancers to perform outside, so they became Tudur Owen’s opening act.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Aug 29

We had a great second day of the North American Festival of Wales in Ottawa, despite a huge downpour during the outdoor WelshFest. How many jokes about Welsh weather can one festival produce?

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Aug 28

The North American Festival of Wales is off to a great start. Band Pres Llareggub kicked off a Taste of Wales sampler concert this evening. Can’t wait to hear more at the free #WelshFest on Sparks St. on Thursday from 4-7pm!

Against a cream coloured wall, eight musicians perform as part of a brass band. All but one are standing, with cream coloured leather jackets and wind instruments. The fourth from the left is seated at a drum set, wearing the same black t-shirt as the others, but no jacket. The t-shirt reads Llareggub. The third from the right plays a tuba, which has the name of the band on it: Llareggub Brass Band. Their trousers are all black.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Aug 23

Tan y tro nesa… Diolch yn fawr iawn i’r @walesgovernance.bsky.social am fod fy ail cartref trwy’r flwyddyn!

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Aug 22

Noson olaf yng Nghaerdydd… cyn y tro nesa! - Last evening in Cardiff… until next time!

The sun sets near the Principality Stadium. The sky is blue, tinged with pink, orange, and also some white clouds. To the left, the hulking stadium is visible, with one of its big white masts.

St John’s Church in Cardiff, viewed from down a pedestrian street. Fairly lights hand across the street. People sit on patios, at Santapas on the left and Head of Steam on the right. The street is over with stones. The long rectangular church tower has a clock and some windows, as well as four turrets at the top.

Looking down towards the Principality Stadium and the Tiny Rebel pub. Paved stone sidewalk. Big white stone building on the left with blue coming from the arched windows. A sign on the building on the right says welcome and croeso, with a dragon between the two words. The sky in the background is orangey.

Cardiff Castle walls, keep and turret, viewed from across the street. The back of a large presumably bronze statue of NHS instigator Aneurin Bevan on a large presumably marble pedestal is visible. People walk along the left side of the frame. There is a bench in the middle. Cobblestone pavement. Orange and blue mix with clouds in the sky.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Aug 21

Strange times for Welsh rugby. As a Dragons fan, I can’t help but worry about the future of the club game. I can’t complain about the half price student tickets during last year’s Autumn Nations, though I wish the crowd hadn’t been quite so resigned…

The Cardiff Principality Stadium is visible down the river, just behind a stone bridge. The stadium is a large roundish structure with big white masts, one of which is particularly visible to the front right of it. On either side, there are lots of trees and greenery. In front, the river, with the reflection of the stadium.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Aug 17

Cardiff Castle, with the setting sun. Cars, a cyclist, and some pedestrians line the wide street. From the left, a tree, a three, castle wall, castle keep, and castle gate. Orange sky with clouds on the top left, and blue sky with thin wisps of clouds on the top right.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Aug 17

One and Two Central Square in Cardiff. Grey rectangular flooring is hit by three glorious sunbeams, coming from between the two heavily windowed buildings.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Aug 17

A view down Quay Street in Cardiff, paved with square stones. An off-white stone building with arched windows is on the left. The sun lands beautifully on the top row of windows, which are a more standard rectangular shape. Further along. There are brightly painted panels. In the centre, above other buildings, one can see the top of one of the triangular masts of the Principality Stadium. The sky is blue with some clouds. At the top middle, a seagull flies across that sky. On the right, there are further buildings.

Anastasia Llewellyn@anastasiallewellyn· Aug 17

Beautiful light in Cardiff today.