The Red Flag Rising is a day long festival helf annually at St Elvan's, commemorating the historic first raising of the Red Flag in the UK, in May 1831 on Hirwaun Common, Rhondda Cynon Taf
The 2027 Festival will take place on Saturday May 29th
The 2026 event will features a series of talks and open discussions, themed around:
- the 195th anniversary of the first raising of the Red Flag at Hirwaun Common
- a general history of Revolution in international society
- Socialism in the 21st century, and it's status post-UK local, and Welsh national, elections
Each talk was preceded by a short performance by members of the Red Poets Society
A timetable for the day can be found below
The 2027 Festival will take place on Saturday May 29th
The 2026 event will features a series of talks and open discussions, themed around:
- the 195th anniversary of the first raising of the Red Flag at Hirwaun Common
- a general history of Revolution in international society
- Socialism in the 21st century, and it's status post-UK local, and Welsh national, elections
Each talk was preceded by a short performance by members of the Red Poets Society
A timetable for the day can be found below
Red Flag Rising 2026
10:00
Doors Open
FREE Comm-unity Cuppa
FREE tea & coffee and networking on arrival
10:15
Red Poet's Society
Mike Jenkins
10:30
Introduction & Welcome
The Red Flag
"Hirwaun - History & Context"
Anastazia Thomas
11:15
Coffee Break
11:30
Red Poet's Society
Jaz Gerard
11:45
"Revolution"
Mark Brake
12:30
Lunch Break & Networking
13:30
Red Poet's Society
Al Jones
13:45
The Red Flag Today
"Post-May Elections - Socialism in the 21st Century"
14:30
Red Poet's Society
Jonathan Richards | Leanne Williams
14:45
Red Flag Rising 2027 and Beyond
15:00
Close
The History of Red Flag Rising
The inaugural Red Flag Rising festival took place on Saturday May 31st 2025 - the very anniversary of the first raising of the Red Flag at Hirwaun in 1831 - and featured a selection of presentations and open discussion with Guest Speakers, interspersed with spoken word by members of The Red Poets
Guest speakers for the 2025 festival were Beth Winter and Leanne Wood with the featured Red Poets for 2025 being Huw Doyle, Leanne Evans, Jaz Gerard, Mike Jenkins, Al Jones, Gerhard Kress, Nick McGaughey, Rebecca Royall and Julie Watkins
The event was - and remains - completely FREE of charge to attend, and the full timetable for that inaugural 2025 festival is outlined below
If you are interested in getting involved in the Red Flag Rising, or any of our heritage events, contact us by email here
Guest speakers for the 2025 festival were Beth Winter and Leanne Wood with the featured Red Poets for 2025 being Huw Doyle, Leanne Evans, Jaz Gerard, Mike Jenkins, Al Jones, Gerhard Kress, Nick McGaughey, Rebecca Royall and Julie Watkins
The event was - and remains - completely FREE of charge to attend, and the full timetable for that inaugural 2025 festival is outlined below
If you are interested in getting involved in the Red Flag Rising, or any of our heritage events, contact us by email here
Red Flag Rising 2025
10:00
Doors Open
FREE Comm-unity Cuppa
FREE tea & coffee and networking on arrival
10:30
Introduction & Welcome
Beth Winter
11:00
The Red Flag, Hirwaun
History & Context
with Anastazia Thomas & Nick Nedsky
12:00
Lunch Break
13:00
The Red Flag Today
Socialism in the 21st Century
with Beth Winter & Leanne Wood
14:30
Coffee Break
15:00
Red Flag Rising 2026 and Beyond
Open Session
16:30
Close
Red Flag Rising 2027 will take place on Saturday May 29th 2027
To contact us regarding the Red Flag Rising, click here
