PHOTO: Cliff-top writing shed overlooking Afon Taf, near Boat House, Laugharne, used by Dylan Thomas. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)

The Welsh singer of sullen moods, Dylan Thomas, is well into his centennial year and Wales has issued a full listing of celebrations. Thomas (1914 to 1953) will be at the center of everything from theatre to poetry readings, manuscript exhibits and dramatic readings of Under Milk Wood. Born in Swansea in South Wales, Thomas became an important figure in the New York literary world from a series of readings he gave between 1950 and 1953.

Thomas inspired the young Robert Zimmerman (Bob Dylan) to consider a name change and a generation of American poets to perform their work rather than just read it. Thomas became so popular in New York that he would sometimes play to crowds of 1,000.

The website www.dylanthomas100.org details the places in Wales he is connected with and the site www.americas.visitwales.com is a resource for planning Dylan Thomas-themed trips to Wales and for downloading a full list of Dylan Thomas 100 events.

These are the prominent events taking place in the second half of 2014:

DYLAN (June 28–Dec 20) National Library of Wales  – A combination of dance, poetry and the visual arts will provide a fresh take on Dylan’s life and work. The event will enliven several of the library’s gallery spaces in Aberystwyth and will include displays of personal items, providing a unique view of Dylan’s world.

DYLANATHON (June 28)     Swansea — Using a camera, smartphone or tablet, entrants are asked to use innovation over picture quality to interpret Dylan-related themes throughout the day.

DYLAN THOMAS’ SWANSEA HOLLYWOOD (July 19) The Mummy And The Old Dark Horse – This event visits three of his childhood cinemas in Swansea with a talk in a secret space at a fourth. The evening culminates with Andrew Davies introducing a screening of his new film, “A Poet in New York,” starring Tom Hollander, followed by a Q & A session.

BEDAZZLED - A WELSHMAN IN NEW YORK (Aug. through Sept.):  Celebrating his special relationship with the USA, especially New York, a series of live events will “re-imagine” Dylan’s favorite watering hole – New York’s White Horse Tavern. Audiences will be transported to the bohemian world of 1950’s Greenwich Village.

MANUSCRIPTS EXHIBITION (Sept. 5 to Dec. 24) Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea — Infrequently exhibited items on loan from the University of Buffalo include poems, lists of rhyming words and black and white photographs.

THE DYLATHON(Oct. 26 and 27) The Swansea Grand Theatre — The Wales Theatre Company stages a non-stop 36 hour marathon reading of Dylan’s work. Performers include Derek Jacobi, Jonathan Pryce and other personalities together with schools, bands and choirs numbering in the hundreds.

DYLAN THOMAS FESTIVAL (Oct. 27 to Nov. 9) Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea — This 17th annual eclectic celebration will feature talks, exhibitions, workshops and performances.

The ongoing promotions of Dylan Thomas 100 and www.dylanthomas100.org highlights locations closely associated with Thomas including his birthplace in Swansea, his old writing shed and his home —The Boathouse — in the town of Laugharne.  And the program ranges across all artistic disciplines — from literature, to opera, theatre and painting. From high profile exhibits and live performances to community-based educational programs.