The land of Y Ddraig Goch: a student’s guide to celebrating St David’s Day

The arrival of spring, for many, means the start of happier, longer days, soaking up the extra hour of sunlight after a 5pm seminar. It also brings many cultural and religious events and celebrations – from St Patrick’s Day to Easter, there’s always something to celebrate. For the Welsh, that celebration comes on the first day of March with our national patron saint day, St David’s Day.

Whilst currently, the day may be a celebration of everything Welsh, its origins date back to the 12th century when St David’s Day was a feast day to celebrate the achievements of the Welsh saint (modern-day reincarnations obviously include Michael Sheen, Dame Shirley Bassey, and Sir Tom Jones).

Today, 1 March may no longer be a celebration of hill-raising abilities, but it certainly still is a day where the Welsh, no matter where they are

Whilst little can be said for certain about Saint David’s life, historical documents show that he lived during the 6th century. The son of a King of Ceredigion, he travelled far and wide as the Bishop of Mynyw, founding religious centres and later establishing an ascetic religious community in the settlement known today as St David’s.

His story and fame became popular across Wales from the 12th century, with his miraculous feats vaunted across the country – most notably, the story that the ground beneath him began to rise when he was preaching one day so that he could be heard and seen by all.

Today, 1 March may no longer be a celebration of hill-raising abilities, but it certainly still is a day where the Welsh, no matter where they are – from Wrexham to Warwick – can celebrate their culture, heritage, and say “cheers” to the land of the dragon, Y Ddraig Goch, that they call home.

That being said, here are just a few ways that you can get involved with the celebrations, regardless of whether you are Cymry or not – and beyond just watching an episode of Gavin & Stacey, however much we all love Nessa and Bryn.

Legend has it that St David’s soldiers wore leeks on their helmets during a battle with the Saxons cementing the leek’s position as a cultural symbol

Have a Welsh feast
Feed me ‘til I want no more! Wales may only have a handful of Michelin-star restaurants, but that doesn’t mean that Welsh cuisine doesn’t deserve a place in the foodie scene. From the traditional Welsh cake to a bowl of warm cawl (a stew made with meat and vegetables), Wales certainly has a lot of hearty, feel-good food to offer. A personal favourite of mine is bara brith – a traditional bread flavoured with tea, dried fruits, and spices. As indulgent as any cake, served with hot butter and a cuppa, you can’t go wrong. If that doesn’t take your fancy (even though, it should), why not try curry the Welsh way: ‘half and half’? Curry, half rice, half chips – granted, it’s a carb overload.

Adorn your clothes with a leek or daffodil
Without a doubt, two symbols you’ll see across Wales on St David’s Day are the leek and the daffodil. Whether it be children wearing them to school as part of the Welsh national costume or someone just proudly wearing them in the street, these symbols have become synonymous with Wales. Legend has it that St David’s soldiers wore leeks on their helmets during a battle with the Saxons cementing the leek’s position as a cultural symbol. The daffodil took its prominence many years later, only becoming popular in the 19th century. David Lloyd George, the only Welsh Prime Minister, wore the flower on St David’s Day and used it as part of the Prince of Wales’ investiture ceremony in 1911.

Watch a game of rugby
Whilst Wales’ football teams have celebrated much success in recent years, from the men’s team making the Euros semi-finals in 2016 to the women’s team qualifying for their first major tournament this year, rugby remains a central part of Welsh identity. The sport has cemented a sense of Welshness in many a Welsh person – a relatively new sport in the late 19th century, Wales embraced rugby and took it as a chance to make a stand on the sporting stage. The start of March then not only marks St David’s Day but also the end of the Six Nations. To truly embrace the Welsh national sport, why not watch Wales take on home nations Scotland (8 March) or England (15 March) in the tournament?

Whilst I (and everyone who knows me) can attest that ‘every Welsh person can sing’ is a myth, we can certainly all unite in song

Speak some Cymraeg
The fastest growing language in the UK on Duolingo, speaking some Cymraeg will surely make you an honorary Cymro or Cymraes for the day. From a simple greeting of shwmae (hi) to showing your gratitude with a diolch (thanks), slip a few words of Welsh into your everyday vocabulary. I’d certainly be saying da iawn (well done) to you ­– even though I’m still learning the language (the Duolingo owl keeps chasing me…).

Belt out a Welsh song
Wales – truly, the land of song. From the traditional ‘Calon Lân’, to the rousing anthem ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’, to the newer sounds of Tom Jones, the Manic Street Preachers, or Welsh-language icons Eden, Wales has so many musical treats to offer. Whilst I (and everyone who knows me) can attest that ‘every Welsh person can sing’ is a myth, we can certainly all unite in song, from children in school eisteddfodau to rugby goers at the Principality Stadium. Join us in belting out a message of love to Wales this St David’s Day: Gwlad! Gwlad! Pleidiol wyf i’m glawd.

Happy St David’s Day! Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!