Classic 107 Celebrates St. David's Day!

Tune in throughout the day when Welsh music will be front and centre on Morning Light, Intermezzo and Diamond Lane!

A few weeks ago a loyal Classic 107 listener emailed us fervently asking us to help her celebrate St. David's Day (Welsh: Dydd Gwyl Dewi).

St. David the patron saint of Wales

St. David is the patron saint of Wales. The holiday falls on March 1, the day the saint died. It was declared a national day of celebration within Wales in the 18th century.

Saint David was born towards the end of the 5th century. He was a scion of the royal house of Ceredigion, and founded a Celtic monastic community at Glyn Rhosyn (The Vale of Roses) on the western headland of Pembrokeshire (Welsh: Sir Benfro) at the spot where St David's Cathedral stands today.

David's fame as a teacher and his abstinence from worldly pleasures spread among Celtic Christians. His foundation at Glyn Rhosin became an important Christian shrine, and the most important centre in Wales. The year of David's death is uncertain – possibly 601. As his tearful monks prepared for his death Saint David uttered these words: "Brothers be ye constant. The yoke which with single mind ye have taken, bear ye to the end; and whatsoever ye have seen with me and heard, keep and fulfil."

Parades are held around Wales each year to commemorate Saint David. People celebrate the day by wearing a daffodil, the national symbol of Wales, or a leek, the saint's personal symbol.

St. David's Day parade in Cardiff (Photo by On Line Wales)People also get together for dance, folk songs and poems. In fact, there is a saying, 'The privilege of a Welsh person is to be born with a song in his heart and poetry in his soul rather than worldly wealth.'

So with that being said, we will be celebrating the day with performances by Welsh bass baritone Bryn Terfel, music by Welsh composers Grace Williams, Mansel Treharne Thomas, Karl Jenkins, Alun Hoddinott and more!

The Welsh history of Winnipeg is rich and long, according to the Welsh Society of Manitoba. There were many Welsh choirs, a newspaper and a Welsh church established in 1896.

Get more information on the Welsh Society of Manitoba website.

Many thanks to Carol Sharp for reaching out to us and bringing in some of her favourite Welsh music so we can share it with you!

A Very Happy St. David's Day to All Our Welsh Listeners!