Social Profile
Food & Drink: In most major centres, British and continental food is available. Welsh cooking is, in general, simple with abundant fresh local produce, particularly meat and fish. Near the coast, seafood is also widely available. Local dishes include Welsh rarebit (cheese on toast), leek soup, bara brith (a type of tea bread) and laver bread, which is made with seaweed.
Nightlife: In general, it is similar to that in an English town of comparable size, with bars, restaurants and cinemas being common in the cities and large towns.
Special Events: St David’s Day (Mar 1) is dedicated to the patron saint of Wales. Although it is not a public holiday, schoolchildren celebrate and learn about their culture through music, poetry and cookery on this day. Many Welsh villages hold an Eisteddfod once a year – a contest for local poets, singers and musicians. All but the largest ones are generally only advertised inside the town itself but visitors are welcome to attend. Other special events celebrated during 2003 include:
Jan 1 Mari Llwyd Torchlit Walk (procession and events starting at 2300 on Dec 31 2002), Llanwrtyd. Mar 7-9 Folk and Ale Festival, Llanwrtyd Wells. May/Jun Hay Festival (literary festival), Hay-On-Wye. Jul Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Llangollen; Royal Welsh Show (agricultural show), Builth Wells; Fishguard International Music Festival, Fishguard; Welsh Proms, Cardiff; The Big Cheese (summer festival in celebration of cheese), Caerphilly. Jul/Aug Cardiff International Festival, Cardiff. Aug National Eisteddfod of Wales, St Davids; Herb Festival, Carew; Brecon Jazz Festival, Brecon; Bog Snorkelling Competition, Llanwrtyd Wells; Cardiff Pride (gay and lesbian parade), Cardiff. Oct Swansea Festival of Music and the Arts, Swansea. Nov Mid-Wales Beer Festival, Llanwrtyd Wells. Nov 1 Cardiff Round Table Firework Display, Cardiff. Dec 6 A Tudor Advent (themed Christmas event with costume competition), National Botanic Gardens, Llanarthne.
Note: Accommodation at festival times should be booked well in advance.
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