9/11 inspires trip to 'Merlin's Oak'
A NEW YORKER is planning a pilgrimage to Carmarthen next summer - because it is the town where the wizard Merlin is rumoured to have held court.
A NEW YORKER is planning a pilgrimage to Carmarthen next summer - because it is the town where the wizard Merlin is rumoured to have held court.
The fall of a huge, fake "Merlin's Oak" in a World Trade Centre bookstore has provided the impetus for Leeanndra Woeckener's decision.
Now she wants to visit the place where the real Merlin's Oak once stood, and has traced the roots of the Merlin myth to West Wales.
She had scarcely heard of Wales, let alone Carmarthen, when she became interested in the Arthurian legends 10 years ago.
"Even then, I never knew the real links, until I decided to do some investigation into the legends online recently," she said.
"Caerfyrddin" (Carmarthen) literally translates as "Merlin's town" and Priory Street once boasted an oak tree supposedly enchanted by the wizard.
Local myth said that when the oak tree fell, so would the town - a prophecy that has not quite come true.
But the fall of a "Merlin's Oak", when the Twin Towers collapsed on September 11, 2001 is what captured Leeanndra's imagination.
The "tree" was a huge fake oak that dominated a children's bookstore in Tower One, featuring an array of bats and creatures hanging from branches.
Leeanndra now hopes to visit during the town's festival of Merlin, Magic and Mystery next June. "I cannot wait," she said.
Leisure officers at Carmarthen County Council have welcomed the unexpected interest from across the pond.
"We designed the festival to draw people to Carmarthen but did not realise that word would spread so far," said Huw Parsons.
Next year the council is hoping for an even bigger event with a national magic competition and another Harry Potter record-breaking attempt.
"I am sure most people in the USA would not know much about Carmarthen, but they would be interested in the festival - consider how many adults sleep over for the latest Harry Potter release," said Leeanndra.
The Wales Tourist Board recognises the Merlin connection's importance in raising Wales' profile.
A spokeswoman said, "Myths and legends are one of the reasons that overseas visitors come to Wales on holiday. An event like that, held in Carmarthen, certainly adds to their experience."
