Wales was the destination for a number of exiles from various parts of Europe during the mid-twentieth century. Children from the Basque country fleeing Franco, Polish exiles escaping Nazi invasion and Jews from all over Eastern Europe all made their way to the UK and many then specifically to Wales. Whereas much has been made in scholarship thus far of the reactions of the Welsh themselves to this influx of displaced foreign visitors, often with a celebratory focus on the charitable welcome they received, this essay focuses instead on the reception of Wales and the Welsh by these various groups. Some remained only for a short time, others would never leave. This essay examines the nature of their experiences in Wales as both travellers and exiles. In doing so, it will address a number of key questions relating to their perceptions and understanding of Wales both prior to and after arrival, while exploring also the complex notion of the exile as traveller. © 2014 © 2014 The Author(s). Published by Taylor & Francis.

Exile W.G. Sebald H.G. Adler Wales Josef Herman Child refugees

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