St David’s Day- March 1st

Saint David’s Day  is the feast day of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales, and falls on 1 March each year.

In remembrance of the death of Saint David on that day in 589, March 1st was chosen , and has been celebrated by followers since then. It was declared a national day of celebration in Wales in the 18th century.

What do they do?

Welsh people enjoy celebrating with a range of musical, sporting and cultural events. On St David’s Day, children participate in school concerts or eisteddfodau, with recitation and singing or music being the main activities. In many towns and villages an annual parade is held. Concerts are held in pubs, clubs, and many other venues.

Symbols of Celebration

Welsh people wear one or both of the national emblems of Wales on their shirts to celebrate St. David.

1. The daffodil which is a generic Welsh symbol (these flowers are in season during March)
2. The leek which is Saint David’s personal symbol

 In South Wales, men usually wear leeks while girls wear daffodils. In North Wales the daffodil is the more common symbol chosen. Younger girls sometimes wear traditional Welsh costumes to school. This consists of a long woollen skirt, a white blouse,  a woollen shawl and a Welsh hat.

The flag of Saint David often plays a central role in the celebrations and can be seen flying throughout Wales. The Flag of St David is normally a gold cross on a black field.

Traditional Food

Cawl is often prepared and consumed on St. David’s Day. It is a traditional Welsh stew-like dish consisting of meat and vegetables. The  ingredients may vary, but usually includes lamb and leeks. The word Cawl is translated as soup in modern day Welsh.