culture
Despite the pressure from English, the character of the Welsh culture has survived. In the 19th century the annual competitions of poetry and harp music were revived. Today the Eisteddfod includes choirs and bands, painting and dancing, acting, recitation and story writing, all in the Welsh language. Schools hold their own competitions to encourage the young to learn and use Welsh.
The resurgence of interest in all things Welsh has meant that the people have a new sense of identity. Following increasing demands in the latter half of the 20th century that the Welsh people be allowed to decide issues which relate directly to their land and culture, the elected National Assembly came into being in 1999.
There is increasing use of the Welsh anthem at sporting fixtures, notably rugby matches, rugby football being a vigorous contact sport and very popular, especially in the south. The capital city, Cardiff, boasts the very modern Millennium Stadium which is used not only for Welsh sporting occasions but also for important matches from other parts of Britain as well as pop-concerts and celebrations.
Rugby Football.
Everywhere you go in the country you can see the Welsh flag displayed – a green and white background with a large red dragon. There is an older flag, also being revived in its use by Christians who prefer the dark background and gold cross of the flag of St.David, patron saint of Wales since the 12th century, representing as it does, the light of the gospel breaking into the darkness.
Flag of St.David.