Is St. David’s Day a Public Holiday in the UK?
St. David’s Day is not a public holiday according to Holidays 2020, hence no work offs are granted on this day. All the business and professional institutions follow the regular working hours.
St David’s Day in Wales History
The facts associated with St David’s Day history have already been mentioned. St. David’s Day is commemorated in honour of the patron saint of Wales, St. David. If the grandiose manner in which the celebrations
occur is taken into account, then it can be stated that Saint David is a very crucial figure for Welsh tradition and culture.
Although, very little is known about his personal life and achievements on a public level.
However, there are several stories popular about his life based on the first text which came into existence five hundred years after he died. Hence, it cannot be stated with ultimate precision that the information which
circulated is true and which of them are mere legends.
So, now the current extracts of information available on the life of Saint David state that he was the son of Sant, a Ceredigion princes’ son and Non, who happened to be a niece of the legendary prince Arthur. He kept
travelling thoroughly through Wales and some other parts of Europe and during this travelling period, he established many churches and also a monastery in Wales. Eventually, he became an archbishop.
In the year 1120, St David was canonized after him and shortly, March 1 was introduced to the Church Calendar as St. David’s Day. It was after his canonization that people started visiting his monastery while undertaking pilgrimage journeys. It is believed that he lived upto 100 years of age and he was also a vegetarian.
Additionally, beliefs also state that he went to Jerusalem to fulfill a special religious purpose and brought back a stone
with him. That particular stone is now installed in an altar of Saint David’s Cathedral, which was constructed in the original site in which St. David’s monastery was located.
Public Life on St. David’s Day
Since Saint David’s Day is not a public holiday, no work offs are granted on this day. All the business and professional institutions follow the regular working hours. However, celebrations take place in a very majestic manner
all over Wales. Many schools and educational institutes host special programmes on the occasion of St. David’s Day. Parades, choirs, church services are the common sightings of the day. Moreover, Welsh Literature readings are also
held at many places. On this note, let us take a look at the major highlights of this day.
1. To mark this special occasion, Welsh people in Wales and all over the world wear one or both of the national emblems of the country, which are a daffodil and a leek respectively. .
2. The national flag of Wales, which is a red dragon on a green and red background, is put on display on this day.
3. The traditional Welsh attire is worn by children and girls on the day dedicated to Saint David.
4. A Saint David’s Day special delicacy is Cawl, which is basically a soup made out of leek and some other local produce.
5. A special parade is organized at the centre of Cardiff each and every year, which is also followed by exciting performances given by dragons and theatre groups.
6. The other towns and villages of Wales also host their own parades and performances to mark this day.
7. Saint David’s hall located in Cardiff also organizes a very popular concert on this day which attracts a large number of spectators.
8. The list of its participants include the BBC National Orchestra and the Chorus of Wales which performs traditional songs during the concert.
St. David’s Day Observances
సంవత్సరం | వార రోజు | తేదీ | పేరు | సెలవు రకం |
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | శుక్ర | 1 మార్చి | St. David’s Day | ఆచారము |
2020 | ఆది | 1 మార్చి | St. David’s Day | ఆచారము |
2021 | సోమ | 1 మార్చి | St. David’s Day | ఆచారము |
2022 | మంగళ | 1 మార్చి | St. David’s Day | ఆచారము |
2023 | బుధ | 1 మార్చి | St. David’s Day | ఆచారము |
2024 | శుక్ర | 1 మార్చి | St. David’s Day | ఆచారము |
2025 | శని | 1 మార్చి | St. David’s Day | ఆచారము |
FAQs
1. Why do we celebrate St David’s Day?
St. David’s Day is commemorated in honour of the patron saint of Wales, St. David. Patron Saints are considered to be the protector or guardian of a particular place or province.
2. What is Happy St David’s Day in Welsh?
Happy St David’s Day" in the Welsh language translates as "Dydd Gyl Dewi Hapus.
3. What do you eat on St David’s Day?
A Saint David’s Day special delicacy is Cawl, which is basically a soup made out of leek and some other local produce.
4. What do you do on St David’s Day?
To mark this special day, Welsh citizens in Wales and all over the world wear one or both of the national emblems of the country, which are a daffodil and a leek respectively.
So, these were the major highlights and the necessary information on St David’s Day 2020 celebrations in the UK. We hope you like this article of ours. Thankyou for connecting with us!!