Saint David, or Dewi Sant, as he is known in the Welsh language, is the patron saint of Wales.

WALESCYMRU

Most of the population

and industrial areas

are in South Wales,

around the cities of

Cardiff (Caerdydd),

Swansea (Abertawe)

and Newport

(Casnewydd), with

another significant

population in the

north-east around

Wrexham (Wrecsam).

Wales is part of the United Kingdom.

The capital of Wales is Cardiff (Caerdydd).

Wales was annexed by England in the sixteenth century and is part of the United Kingdom, but the Welsh flag is not represented in the British flag.

Wales is a bilingual country. English and Welsh are the two official languages.Welsh is taught as a compulsory subject at school until the age of 16.Most road signs in Wales are in both English and Welsh.

He was a Celtic monk, abbot and bishop, who lived in the sixth century.

During his life, he was the archbishop of Wales, and he helped to spread Christianity among the pagan Celtic tribes of western Britain.

SAINT DAVID

Dewi was born near Capel Non (Non's chapel) on the South-West coast near the present city of Saint David.

He founded a monastery at Glyn Rhosyn (Rose Vale) on the banks of the small river Alun where the cathedral city of St. David stands today.His body was buried in the grounds of his own monastery, where the Cathedral of St. David now stands.

Dewi died on March 1st, 589.He was canonised in 1120, and March 1st was included in the Church calendar.

Today, St. David's Day is a time of great celebration in Wales.

Every year, parades are held throughout Wales to commemorate St. David.The flag of Saint David can be seen flying throughout Wales.

Many Welsh people wear one or both of the national emblems of Wales on their lapel to celebrate St. David: the daffodil (a Welsh symbol which is in season during March) or the leek (Saint David's personal symbol).

Children take part in school concerts or eisteddfodau, with recitation and singing being the main activities.

Young girls wear their Welsh costumes to school. The costume consists of a long woollen skirt, white blouse, woollen shawl and Welsh hat.

There are Saint David’s Day celebrations all around the world on March 1st, wherever Welsh people once emigrated and settled.

Celebrations can be seen mainly in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.