Planet issue 250

In a piece adapted from a keynote presentation for the Arts Council of Wales event ‘Imagining our Future’, Darren Chetty relives a year in the life of Welsh (Plural) – a game-changing essay collection, reflecting more widely on culture, football and discrimination.

Planet issue 250

In a follow-up to his 2019 Planet article on fan culture, Dan Evans gives the reasons why he left Qatar early. He argues that a beloved sub-culture had been appropriated by the Welsh political establishment, in a wider context of foreign direct investment and an emerging Gulf Cold War.

Planet issue 248

In a series that proposes how Wales can change after lockdown, Laura McAllister and Gavin Price put forward how the nation could take advantage of the once-in-a-generation chance to advance itself economically, politically and culturally on the world stage as the Cymru team head to Qatar.

Planet issue 244

Yvonne Connikie gives an insight into her research into the leisure activities of Caribbean Elders in south Wales, and the zest for life she has discovered. She draws on theories of leisure, gender and Critical Race Theory to address the obstacles her interviewees face when seeking to enjoy themselves.

Planet issue 241

In a collaborative article with Russell Todd, Tim Hartley sets out the vision for Expo’r Wal Goch in advance of its launch this year. This aims to become a diverse, progressive, politicised expression of working-class football fandom, channelling the spirit of Raymond Williams’ democratic definition of culture.

Planet Extra

Barney Lloyd-Wood gives an insight into how football fans are sustaining their support for Welsh independence in an era of on-going pandemic.

Planet Platform

Kate Wilson describes how mental health can be transformed through surfing, and what especially attracted her to Aberystwyth’s surfing culture during the pandemic.

Planet Extra

Absolutely Huge author Luke Upton imagines how rugby and Welsh history itself could have been very different had the Rugby World Cup started earlier… On reaching 1987, he relates his personal history of the World Cup, from toddlerhood to fatherhood.

Planet issue 233

Dan Evans celebrates Welsh football fan culture – its music, clothes, grassroots media and ethos of egalitarian hedonism – and furthermore how this contributes to national unity, internationalism and working-class self-organisation. Can the spirit of Wales away be transported back home?

Planet issue 228

Laura McAllister reviews Into the Wind: The Life of Carwyn by Alun Gibbard

Planet issue 225

Tom Alcott on how wrestling offers a portal into his childhood in Merthyr, and the art of creating new, more exciting versions of ourselves…

Planet issue 224

Mike Parker reviews Dark Mermaids by Anne Lauppe-Dunbar

Planet Extra

An image essay by Mathew Browne.

Planet issue 219

In the lead up to the Rugby World Cup, Eddie Butler looks back 40 years to the death of a dictator and the autumn in Madrid where he first learnt to love rugby, reflecting on the struggles both Wales and Spain have faced since then.

Planet issue 217

Catrin Ashton draws on contemporary philosophy, the story of Gwladys, daughter of Brychan Brycheiniog and the post-industrial society she is part of to reflect on why she feels so free when she runs.

Planet issue 211

Rachel Trezise counts her ‘derby kisses’ (bruises) and reflects on the addictive thrills, history, international reach and gender politics of roller derby, from Texas to the Rhondda.

Planet issue 208

Arddun Hedydd Arwyn challenges prejudice against mixed martial arts, and explores the politics of class and gender around MMA, arguing that the sport is having a positive effect on communities in the Valleys.