Cymru Yn Iawn

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Pictured: a curious graffito spotted this morning on one of the minor lodge gates to the old Penrhyn estate. Who chalked it up and for what reason, I have no idea. Linguistically, it could be interpreted in all manner of ways: Pura, latinate for pure - as in the Costa Rican 'pura vida', a catch-all term which pretty much equates to the Welsh 'iawn'. Wallia could refer to the fifth century King of the Visigoths. It could also be that the graffitist intended Walliae: Wales from the Latin, which I guess has more currency in Gwynedd. I'm not sufficiently knowledgeable in this department to arrive at an informed opinion, but all I do know is that the Penrhyn Estate, whilst partly owned by The National Trust, is still largely in the possession of the Pennant family, of whom I have written previously [blog posts passim]. Whoever decided on this statement, I can't disagree with what I interpret as its possible intended meaning.

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