Griffin Books is delighted to host an intimate evening with one of Wales’s foremost poets, Menna Elfyn, to celebrate the publication of her powerful new collection, Parch.

The event will take place on Thursday 20 November at 7.30pm at Griffin Books, Penarth.

Parch is a landmark collection exploring respect, compassion, and the quiet triumph of kindness in a fractured world. The poems give voice to those who liberty or dignity has been undermined, responding to themes of conflict, injustice, and the resilience of the human spirit. Among the most striking pieces are poems reflecting on violence against women, the experience of displacement, and the tension between justice and forgiveness.

For the first time, Menna includes poems written directly in English alongside her own translations, offering new insight into her rich bilingual practice.

Menna will be in conversation with Dr Luca Paci, a Cardiff-based poet, translator, and scholar whose work explores the intersections of language, culture, and identity. The evening will also include readings from the collection.

Menna Elfyn is one of the major voices in contemporary Welsh poetry. Her work has been translated into more than eighteen languages, and she has published five previous dual-language collections with Bloodaxe. Known for her distinctive blend of challenge and compassion, Menna writes with clarity, conviction, and a profound sense of community.

This is a rare opportunity to hear Menna discuss her writing, her inspiration, and this significant new publication.

Event Details –

Date: Thursday 20 November 2025 | 7.30pm

Location: Griffin Books, Penarth

Tickets: £18 (including a SIGNED hardback copy of Parch, RRP £12.99) / £10 Event Only / £5 Student Ticket / £5 Inclusive Ticket

Tickets are available now via griffinbooks.co.uk, by calling 02920 706455, emailing info@griffinbooks.co.uk, or visiting the shop.