The Trans-Atlantic Exchange in Porthcawl, 1957

The American Government took Paul Robeson’s passport away from him in 1950. This meant he could not travel outside the US to sing and speak. Many people and governments from all over the world complained about Paul’s imprisonment in the US.

But in 1957, the people of Wales were able to hear him sing live to them again. A telephone wire linking Britain with America meant that Paul could sing to the audience at the Miners’ Eisteddfod in Porthcawl from his home in New York. And they were able to sing back to him.