Call for Digital Revival of The Mabinogi
A contemporary druid has appealed to the Welsh government to revitalize the legendary mythologies of The Mabinogi by developing an immersive experience at a proposed National Museum of Mythology.
The Mabinogi is a series of 11 tales featuring mythical kings, sorcerers, and giants, and is widely believed to have influenced JRR Tolkien's renowned fantasy novels, including The Hobbit.
Deborah Rose Hālani, a member of the Anglesey Druid Order, advocates for a futuristic reinterpretation of The Mabinogi using virtual reality technology to ensure the medieval collection "survives generations to come."
"I am on a mission to time-travel the mythologies into the future."
The original medieval manuscripts of The Mabinogi are preserved in secure vaults at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth.
These stories are believed to have been compiled between the late 11th and early 13th centuries, with Lady Charlotte Guest later translating the prose collection into English under the title The Mabinogion.
The collection has inspired notable works such as Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and contributed to the development of Arthurian legends.
"We do not celebrate them enough on the world stage,"said Hālani.
"It is encouraging the mythologies are part of the new National Curriculum, but for them to survive they also need to also be relevant outside the classroom,"she added.
Campaign for an Immersive Mythology Experience
Hālani is initiating a campaign to position The Mabinogi at the heart of an immersive experience akin to The Van Gogh Exhibition, which attracted large audiences at the Wales Millennium Centre last year.
That exhibition showcased the Dutch artist's work in a 360-degree digital format, employing virtual projection technology and sound effects to animate his masterpieces.
She envisions the ancient mythologies being celebrated digitally, highlighting Wales's "rich oral storytelling tradition" and The Mabinogi's cultural significance.
"Why can't we digitally immerse ourselves in our mystical mythologies in a space dedicated entirely to them?"she asked, drawing parallels with the Harry Potter Studio experience in London.
Personal Connection and Cultural Identity
Born in Cardiff, Hālani reflected on her childhood in Ely during the 1960s, noting a lack of cultural identity.
"I wasn't taught my cultural heritage or language at school. It was only when I travelled to other lands... I understood the importance of cultural connection and belonging,"she said.
Previously a telecommunications engineer and businesswoman, she spent 20 years living in Australia before returning to Cardiff last year to reconnect with her roots.
Hālani considers it her mission to celebrate Wales as "not only the land of song, but of the bard," with The Mabinogi regarded as "the jewel in Cymru's mythical crown."
Future Plans and Official Engagement
She is preparing to publish a book titled Coming Back to My Trees, which chronicles her personal journey of self-discovery and initiation into druidry.
Hālani has reached out to CADW, the Welsh government's historic environment service, as well as cultural departments at Welsh universities, proposing an immersive experience similar to the Harry Potter attraction in London.
This initiative aims to preserve the ancient Welsh text for future generations.
"I am on a mission to time-travel the mythologies into the future, so they survive generations to come.
"I cannot think of a more entertaining and enduring way to reclaim them."
