MP Welcomes Son of Paul Robeson
2nd October 2007
Aberavon's MP, Dr Hywel Francis, has arranged a visit for the distinguished writer and lecturer Paul Robeson Jnr to Wales.
The son of the legendary human rights campaigner and bass baritone Paul Robeson is currently visiting Britain and Dr Francis has been responsible for his visit to Wales and London.
Dr Hywel Francis MP with Paul Robeson Jnr on a previous visit to Wales.
Dr Francis said,
"I am delighted that Paul Robeson Jnr and his wife Marilyn have been able to visit Britain at the time of the commemoration of the bicentenary of the Abolition of Slavery."
"Paul has done much to foster the links between Wales and the United States which were so uniquely forged by his father for over five decades."
"Mr Robeson will be meeting schools groups in my Aberavon Constituency and will be present in Porthcawl for the 50th Anniversary Concert commemorating the Trans-Atlantic link between the South Wales Miners' Eisteddfod and New York when his father was denied the right to travel by the US Government."
"I am especially pleased that Paul Robeson Jnr will be visiting my old university at Swansea to present the 'Let Paul Robeson Sing!' exhibition to the South Wales Miners' Library."
Dr Francis added,
Paul Robeson Jnr will be visiting the National Assembly and meeting Government Ministers Jane Hutt and Rhodri Glyn Thomas. He will also be meeting UK Culture Minister James Purnell MP, will be present at a Parliamentary Reception which I have arranged in his honour, and he will give a public lecture at Birkbeck College on the cultural and political legacy of Paul Robeson."
