A new bilingual poetry anthology has been released, celebrating Wales’ longest road.

A470: Poems for the Road /Cerddi’r Ffordd, is a collection of original poems by Welsh poets, all written in reponse to the 186-mile road which runs the length of Wales -from shore to shore and north to south.

From the seashore to slate quarries, from nuclear power stations and fighter plane flypasts to forests, mountains and the capital city, the poems included in the anthology take the reader on a journey through memory, myth, love and grief.

Published by independent London-based publisher Arachne Press, the anthology is entirely bilingual in English and Welsh.

The 51 poems were submitted by writers in either English or Welsh in response to an open call, were chosen on merit and then translated into the other language, meaning that each work in the anthology will be laid side by side with its translation either from, or into, Welsh. The final book is intended to celebrate the magnificence of both languages and the artistry of poets and translators.

Cherry Potts, director of Arachne Press said: “The book has been a total joy to work on, from first idea to final choices of what to include. Sian Northey’s idea of a book in celebration (if that’s quite the word!) of the A470 was inspired. Everyone involved has been so engaged with the project that I can’t wait to launch it and share it with the world.”

The anthology is guest edited by Ness Owen and Sian Northey.

Welsh writer Mari Ellis Dunning was full of praise for the anthology, saying: “A470 celebrates a familiar road in new and unexpected ways. Whether the narrator is fleeing from grief, rescuing a pipistrelle, or rediscovering a haunted village, these poems capture the beauty of Wales, and those who have travelled it’s length.

“A true collection of togetherness at a time when we need it most.”

As a part of the celebrations around the book, the publishers have been travelling up and down the A470 visiting bookshops, libraries and communities.

They are stopping off in Brecon next week, with an event at The Hours bookshop on Thursday, July at 21 6.30pm.

With readings from Sian Northey, Gareth Writer-Davies, Diana Powell, Clare E. Potter and Stephen Payne, the event will be bilingual, giving you an opportunity to hear poetry in both English and Welsh. The readings will be followed by a Q&A session.