Traditional Welsh costume

The Welsh Costume for women consists of a gown (or bedgown) a skirt, an underskirt a cape (or mantle), a shawl, an  apron, stockings and a cap with the Welsh hat placed on top.

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The costume worn by men and boys in Wales was rarely illustrated or described because it was very similar to that worn by men in England although they used slightly different colours. It consists of a waistcoat (often of bright colours), a jacket often of blue or grey wool, a neckerchief; a pair of breeches, woollen stockings and a black felt hat, either like a bowler or one with a low, drum-shaped crown with a broad floppy brim.

Welsh TV & Language

​Welsh music wasn't enough? Here you have the links to some Welsh TV programmes and series:

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Hidden, Hinterland (Y Gwyll in Welsh), Gavin & Stacey.

 

Famous Welsh actors & actresses include: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Antony Hopkins, Ioan Gruffudd  and Richard Burton.

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The most popular Welsh-language television channel is S4C and the only free-to-air. You can find the link here:

 

https://www.s4c.cymru/cy/ (Welsh)

https://www.s4c.cymru/en/ (English)

 

 

Welsh Mythology & History

​Welsh mythology consists of both folk traditions developed by the Celtic Britons elsewhere before the end of the first millennium. As in most of the predominantly oral societies, Celtic mythology and history were recorded orally by specialists such as druids (Welsh: derwyddon).

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Halloween (Calan Gaeaf)

Most people who have done a little bit of research will realise that the origins of Halloween lie in ancient celtic pagan tradition. In Wales, the first day of winter is observed on 1st November, the night before is known as nos calan Gaeaf. In Wales it is a harvest festival in which many games are played. One of which involves trying to succesfully sneak a huge straw mare (known as Mari Lwyd) into the house while the women work on the feast. 

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Castles in Wales

​​Did you know that Wales is the country with the most castles per Km2 in the world? The great this is most of them are still in great condition.

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Welsh Music & Language

Below, you are not just getting music by Welsh artists, but music in WELSH!:

 

Annuwn by Mari Mathias (a modern celtic song)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ecaje4cUIU

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Welsh national Anthem (with English subtitles)- sure to give  you goosebumps!) -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tj4C0_6C_xw

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Yma o hdy! (We are still here!) (with English subtitles) - a popular song sang at football matches)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkBQAvAFjus

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Examples of popular Welsh artists that sing in English are: Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Charlotte Church, Bonnie Tyler and the Stereophonics.

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Welsh Culture

​In addition to the traditional costume, daffodils and leeks (symbols of Welsh identity) worn on Saint Davids Day, and Mari Lwyd during Calan Gaeaf, Wales is home to the biggest Celtic festival known as the Eisteddfod where  Celtic nations from all over unite to celebrate their Celtic traditions including live perfomances and music and poetry competitions. The first ever recorded literary festival and competion of its kind was recorded in 1176 under the Patronage od Prince Rhys ap Gruffud.

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Welsh Cuisine​

Since Wales has been part of the UK for several centuries, it is expected that it will share many customs and dishes with the rest of the UK. However, some original dishes and foods which are unique to Wales include: Welshcakes, Caerphilly cheese, Glamorgan sausage, rarebit, laverbread, Cawl and Barra brith.

 

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Welsh in Argentina

​Did you know that Welsh is also spoken in Argentina? Y Wladfa  "The Colony" is the name given to the Welsh immigrants who settled in Patagonia region of Argentina in 1865. Today, roughly 20,000 of the estimated population of 150,000 are descended from the early Welsh settlers. Many of the children attend bilingual Welsh-Spanish schools and many Tea houses and windmills built by the Welsh and their descendants occupy the area.

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1. Welsh speaking Patagonia | Gaiman | Argentina https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2Hpemq6ii0

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2. (WELSH TOWN in Patagonia, Argentina + Welsh AFTERNOON TEA at Ty Gwyn in GAIMAN, Chubut)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YDh0Mt7wH8&vl=en

 

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