culture of Wales

File:Market Day in Old Wales (1910).jpg (1910)]]

File:Red.Book.of.Hergest.facsimile.png]]

The culture of Wales encompasses the Welsh language, customs, festivals, music, art, cuisine, mythology, history, and politics. Wales is primarily represented by the symbol of the red Welsh Dragon, but other national emblems include the leek and the daffodil.

Although sharing many customs with the other nations of the United Kingdom, Wales has its own distinct traditions and culture, and from the late 19th century onwards, Wales acquired its popular image as the "land of song", in part due to the eisteddfod tradition.

Development of Welsh culture

=Historical influences=

Wales has been identified as having been inhabited by humans for some 230,000 years, as evidenced by the discovery of a Neanderthal at the Bontnewydd Palaeolithic site in north Wales.{{sfn | Davies| 1993| p=3}} After the Roman era of occupation,{{sfn | Jones|Mattingly| 1990| p=153}} a number of small kingdoms arose in what is now Wales. These early kingdoms were influenced by Ireland; however, details prior to the 8th century AD are unclear.{{sfn | Davies| 1982| p=94}} Kingdoms during that era included Gwynedd, Powys and Deheubarth.{{sfn | Davies| 1982| p=102}}

While Rhodri the Great in the 9th century was the first ruler to dominate a large portion of Wales,{{sfn | Maund| 2006| pp=50-54}} it was not until 1055 that Gruffydd ap Llywelyn united the individual Welsh kingdoms and began to annex parts of England. Gruffydd was killed, possibly in crossfire by his own men, on 5 August 1063 while Harold Godwinson sought to engage him in battle.{{sfn | Maund| 2006| pp=87-97}} This was just over three years before the Norman invasion of England, which led to a drastic change of fortune for Wales. By 1070, the Normans had already seen successes in their invasion of Wales, with Gwent fallen and Deheubarth plundered.{{sfn | Davies| 1987| pp=28-30}} The invasion was seemingly complete by 1093.{{sfn | Lloyd| 1911| p=398}} However, the Welsh kingdoms were re-established and most of the land retaken from the Normans over the following decades.{{sfn | Maund| 2006| pp=162-171}}

File:Glendower by A.C.Michael.jpg painting by AC Michael]]

While Gwynedd grew in strength, Powys was broken up after the death of Llywelyn ap Madog in the 1160s and was never reunited.{{sfn | Lloyd| 1911| pp=508-509}} Llywelyn the Great rose in Gwynedd and had reunited the majority of Wales by his death in 1240.{{sfn | Moore| 2005| p=124}} After his death, King Henry III of England intervened to prevent Dafydd ap Llywelyn from inheriting his father's lands outside Gwynedd, leading to war.{{sfn | Lloyd| 1911| p=693}} The claims of his successor, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, conflicted with those of King Edward I of England; this resulted in the conquest of Wales by English forces.{{sfn | Carpenter| 2003| p=510}}

The Tudors of Penmynydd grew in power and influence during the 13th to 15th centuries, first owning land in north Wales,{{sfn | Griffiths|Thomas| 1985| p=17}} but losing it after Maredudd ap Tudur backed the uprising of Owain Glyndŵr in 1400. Maredudd's son, Owain ap Maredudd ap Tudur, anglicised his name to become Owen Tudor, and was the grandfather of Henry Tudor.{{cite web |title=A royal dynasty |date=5 August 2008 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/sites/themes/periods/tudors_02.shtml |publisher=BBC Wales |access-date=21 April 2016}} Henry took the throne of England in 1485, at the end of the Wars of the Roses, when his forces defeated those of Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field.{{sfn | Laynesmith| 2005| p=81}}{{sfn | Chrimes | 1972| p=49}}

Under Henry VIII, the Laws in Wales Acts 1535-1542 were passed. The distinction between the Principality of Wales and the Marches of Wales was ended. The law of England became the only law of Wales which was then administered by justices of the peace that were appointed in every Welsh county. Wales was then represented in parliament by 26 members.{{Cite web |title=BBC Wales – History – Themes – The 1536 Act of Union |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/sites/themes/periods/tudors_04.shtml |access-date=2022-09-07 |publisher=BBC}}

English became the only official language of courts in Wales, and people that used the Welsh language would not be eligible for public office in the territories of the king of England. Welsh was limited to the working and lower middle classes, which played a central role in the public attitude to the language.

The House of Tudor continued to reign through several successive monarchs until 1603, when James I (James VI of Scotland) took the throne for the House of Stuart; his great-grandmother was Margaret Tudor.{{cite news |last1=Cavendish |first1=James |title=Marriage of James IV of Scots and Margaret Tudor |url=http://www.historytoday.com/richard-cavendish/marriage-james-iv-scots-and-margaret-tudor |work=History Today |issue=53 |volume=8 |date=8 August 2003 |access-date=23 April 2016}}

=Identity and nationalism=

Welsh nationalism ({{langx|cy|Cenedlaetholdeb Cymreig}}) emphasises the distinctiveness of Welsh language, culture, and history, and calls for more self-determination for Wales, which might include more devolved powers for the Senedd or full independence from the United Kingdom. While a sense of nationhood has existed within Wales for over 1500 years, the idea that Wales should be a modern self-determining state has only been mooted since the mid-18th century.{{sfn | Davies|Jenkins|2008|p=599}}

In 1406 Owain Glyndŵr set out a vision of Welsh independence in his Pennal letter, sent to Charles VI King of France. The letter requested maintained military support from the French to fend off the English in Wales. Glyndŵr suggested that in return, he would recognise Benedict XIII of Avignon as the Pope. The letter sets out the ambitions of Glyndŵr of an independent Wales with its own parliament, led by himself as Prince of Wales. These ambitions also included the return of the traditional law of Hywel Dda, rather than the enforced English law, establishment of an independent Welsh church as well as two universities, one in south Wales, and one in north Wales.{{sfn|Morgan|2009|page=102-104}}

Symbols

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File:Welsh Dragon (Y Ddraig Goch).svg

National symbols of Wales include the dragon, the daffodil and the leek. A story of soldiers wearing the leek during battle to make it easier to identify them is recounted in the 17th century, attributed to Saint David.{{sfn|Davies|Jenkins|2008|p=455}} The earliest certain reference of the leek as a Welsh emblem was when Princess Mary, daughter of Henry VIII, was presented with a leek by the yeoman of the guard on Saint David's Day in 1537.{{sfn|Davies|Jenkins|2008|p=455}} The colours of the leek were used for the uniforms of soldiers under Edward I of England.{{cite web |last1=Carradice |first1=Phil |title=The leek, national emblem of Wales |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/531cbdfa-be23-3bfa-b37e-446b779a94ec |publisher=BBC Wales |date=28 February 2013 |access-date=12 April 2016}}

The Red Dragon standard was most likely introduced to the British Isles by Roman troops who in turn had acquired it from the Dacians.{{sfn|Davies|Jenkins|2008|p=732}} It may also have been a reference to the 6th century Welsh word draig, which meant "dragon".{{cite web |title=Is the Welsh dragon the most important object in Welsh history?|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/nostalgia/welsh-dragon-most-important-object-3012086 |publisher=WalesOnline |date=29 April 2013 |access-date=12 April 2016}} The standard was appropriated by the Normans during the 11th century, and used for the Royal Standard of Scotland. Richard I of England took a red dragon standard with him on the Third Crusade.{{cite news|title=The dragon and war |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/sites/themes/society/flag_war.shtml |publisher=BBC Wales History |access-date=12 April 2016}}

Both symbols were popular with Tudor kings, with Henry VII of England (Henry Tudor) adding the white and green background to the red dragon standard. It was largely forgotten by the House of Stuart, who favoured a unicorn instead. By the 17th and 18th centuries, it became common practice in Great Britain for the gentry to wear leeks on St. David's Day. In 1807, a "a red dragon passant standing on a mound" was made the King's badge for Wales. Following an increase in nationalism in 1953, it was proposed to add the motto Y ddraig goch ddyry cychwyn ("the red dragon takes the lead") to the flag. This was poorly received, and six years later Queen Elizabeth II intervened to put the current flag in place. It has been proposed that the flag of the United Kingdom be redesigned to include a symbol representing Wales, as it is the only nation in the United Kingdom not represented in the flag.{{cite news |last= Deacon |first= Thomas |date= 12 September 2018 |title= Why Wales isn't represented on the Union Jack |url= https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/wales-isnt-represented-union-jack-15138001 |work= WalesOnline |access-date= 17 December 2020}}

The daffodil is a more recent development, becoming popular during the 19th century. It may have been linked to the leek; the Welsh for daffodil (cenhinen Bedr) translates as "St Peter's leek". During the 20th century, the daffodil rose to rival the prominence of the leek as a symbol of Wales. Prime Minister David Lloyd George ensured that the daffodil had a place in the investiture of Edward, Prince of Wales.

The traditional Welsh costume and Welsh hat were well known during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Princess Alexandrina Victoria (later Queen Victoria) had a hat made for her when she visited Wales in 1832. The hat was popularised by Sydney Curnow Vosper's 1908 painting Salem, but by then its use had declined.{{cite news |title=St David's Day: Leeks v daffs – true icons? |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-12602857 |publisher=BBC News |date=1 March 2011 |access-date=12 April 2016}}

Welsh people may sometimes engage in gentle self-mockery and claim the sheep as a national emblem, due to the 3 million people in the country being vastly outnumbered by some 10 million sheep and the nation's reliance on sheep farming.{{cite web |title=Sheep |url=https://businesswales.gov.wales/farmingconnect/livestock/sheep |website=Farming Connect |publisher= Business Wales |access-date=1 December 2022}}{{cite web |title=So, just how many sheep are there in Wales? |url=https://meatpromotion.wales/en/news-industry-info/so-just-how-many-sheep-are-there-in-wales |publisher=Hybu Cig Cymru/Meat Production Cymru}} The importance of sheep farming led to the creation of the Welsh sheepdog.

Welsh lovespoons are traditionally crafted wooden spoons which a suitor would give to his beloved. The more intricacies of the design served a dual purpose, as it demonstrated the depth of their feelings to the beloved, and their crafting abilities (and therefore potential to generate income to look after the family) to their potential suitor's family.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wales.com/about/culture/national-symbols-wales|title=National symbols of Wales|date=3 July 2019|website=Wales}} The earliest known dated lovespoon from Wales, displayed in the St Fagans National History Museum near Cardiff.{{Cite web|url=https://museum.wales/collections/online/object/f4abd0cc-fa6b-3267-ad6c-2502fd012fc8/?field0=string&value0=lovespoon&field1=with_images&value1=1&field2=string&value2=1667&index=0&_ga=2.250078916.374818557.1642156820-37399111.1593593817|title=Lovespoon|website=Museum Wales}} It is believed to have been crafted in 1667, although the tradition is believed to date back long before that.{{cite book |editor1-first=John |editor1-last=Davies|editor1-link=John Davies (historian)|editor2-first=Nigel |editor2-last=Jenkins | editor2-link=Nigel Jenkins| editor3-first=Baines |editor3-last=Menna|editor4-first=Peredur I. |editor4-last=Lynch|title=The Welsh Academy Encyclopaedia of Wales |year=2008 |publisher=University of Wales Press|page=523 |location=Cardiff |isbn=978-0-7083-1953-6}}

Language

The two main languages of Wales are Welsh and English. Throughout the centuries, the Welsh language has been a central factor in the concept of Wales as a nation.{{sfn|Davies|Jenkins|2008|p=935}} Figures released by the Office of National Statistics taken from the 2011 census, show that Welsh is spoken by 19% of the population.{{cite web |title=Census 2011: Number of Welsh speakers falling |date=11 December 2012 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-20677528 |publisher=BBC Wales |access-date=13 October 2019}}

Religion

File:Flag of Saint David.svg]]

Before the Roman occupation, the dominant religion in Wales was a pagan one, led by the druids. Little is known about the traditions and ceremonies, but Tacitus, whose claims were sometimes exaggerated, stated that they performed human sacrifice: he says that in AD 61, an altar on Anglesey was found to be "drenched with the blood of their prisoners".{{cite web |title=Prehistoric Wales (part two) |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/sites/themes/guide/ch1_part2_prehistoric_wales.shtml |publisher=BBC Wales History |access-date=7 April 2016}} Christianity was introduced to Wales through the Romans, and after they abandoned the British Isles, it survived in South East Wales at Hentland. In the 6th century, this was home to Dubricius, the first Celtic saint.{{cite web |title=5: Early Christianity in Wales |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/history/sites/themes/guide/ch5_early_christianity_wales.shtml |publisher=BBC Wales History |access-date=7 April 2016}}

The largest religion in modern Wales is Christianity, with almost 58% of the population describing themselves as Christian in the 2011 census.{{cite news |title=Census 2011: One third in Wales have no religion |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-20678136 |publisher=BBC News |date=11 December 2012 |access-date=7 April 2016}} The Presbyterian Church of Wales was for many years the largest denomination; it was born out of the Welsh Methodist revival in the 18th century and seceded from the Church of England in 1811;{{cite web |title=Our History |url=http://www.ebcpcw.cymru/english/about/our-history |publisher=The Presbyterian Church of Wales |access-date=7 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420205454/http://www.ebcpcw.cymru/english/about/our-history |archive-date=20 April 2016 |url-status=dead }} The Church in Wales had an average Sunday attendance of 32,171 in 2012. It forms part of the Anglican Communion, and was also part of the Church of England, but was disestablished by the British Government in 1920 under the Welsh Church Act 1914.{{cite news |last1=Bates |first1=Stephen |title=Unpicking church and state raises tangled questions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/dec/08/monarchy.religion |work=The Guardian |date=8 December 2000 |access-date=7 April 2016}} Non-Christian religions have relatively few followers in Wales, with Muslims making up 1.5% of the population while Hindus and Buddhists represent 0.3% each in the 2011 census. Over 32% of the population in Wales did not note a religion. Research in 2007 by the Tearfund organisation showed that Wales had the lowest average church attendance in the UK, with 12% of the population routinely attending.{{cite web |last1=Williamson |first1=David |title=Wales is no longer a nation of churchgoers but faith is alive |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/news-opinion/wales-no-longer-nation-churchgoers-7025782 |publisher=Wales Online |date=24 April 2014 |access-date=7 April 2016}}

Festival days

The patron saint of Wales is Saint David, Dewi Sant in Welsh. St. David's Day is celebrated on 1 March,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/saints/david_1.shtml |title=Saint David |publisher=BBC |date=31 July 2009 |access-date=29 April 2016}} which some people argue should be designated a public holiday in Wales.{{cite news |url=http://www.itv.com/news/update/2016-03-01/mp-st-davids-day-should-be-national-holiday-for-wales/ |title=MP: St David's Day should be national holiday for Wales |date=1 March 2016 |publisher=ITV News |access-date=29 April 2016}} Other days which have been proposed for national public commemorations are 16 September (the day on which Owain Glyndŵr's rebellion began){{cite news |url=http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/wales/archive/bbc-mid-wales-owain-glyndwr-16-september.pdf |title=Owain Glyndŵr Day |publisher=BBC |date=10 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428183824/http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/wales/archive/bbc-mid-wales-owain-glyndwr-16-september.pdf |archive-date=28 April 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=16 September 2016 }} and 11 December (the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd).

The traditional seasonal festivals in Wales are:

Calan Gaeaf (a Hallowe'en or Samhain-type festival on the first day of winter){{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/15146ce0-ddc1-3f0f-80ae-41d9d226d723 |title=Hallowe'en and Galan Gaeaf |author=Carradice, Phil |date=28 October 2011 |publisher=BBC |access-date=29 April 2016}}{{sfn|Redwood|1839|pp=2-4}}
Gŵyl Fair y Canhwyllau (literally Mary's Festival of the Candles, i.e. Candlemas; also coinciding with Imbolc){{cite news |url=http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fcymru%2Fbywyd%2Fsafle%2Fblwyddyngron%2Ftudalen%2Fgwylfair.shtml |title=Gŵyl Fair y Canhwyllau |publisher=BBC |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428175908/http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fcymru%2Fbywyd%2Fsafle%2Fblwyddyngron%2Ftudalen%2Fgwylfair.shtml |archive-date=28 April 2016 |access-date=29 April 2016}}(translated from Welsh)
Calan Mai (May Day, and similar to Beltane){{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/wales/entries/2bf9a235-94cb-301c-ac8c-011f6213715d |title=Welsh May Day customs |date=30 April 2012 |publisher=BBC |access-date=29 April 2016}}
Calan Awst (1 August, equivalent to Lammas and Lughnasa){{cite web |url=http://www.celticearthspirit.co.uk/calan-awst.html |title=Calan Awst |publisher=celticearthspirit.co.uk |access-date=29 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604065928/http://www.celticearthspirit.co.uk/calan-awst.html |archive-date=4 June 2016 |url-status=dead }}
Gŵyl Mabsant celebrated by each parish in commemoration of its native saint, often marked by a fair{{cite web |url=http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/articles/2007-09-11/The-forgotten-festivals-of-Wales/ |title=Gŵyl mabsant |publisher=The forgotten festivals of Wales |date=11 September 2007 |access-date=29 April 2016}}
Dydd Santes Dwynwen, a Welsh equivalent to St Valentine's Day{{cite web |url=http://www.festival.si.edu/blog/2013/dydd-santes-dwynwen-an-icy-day-for-lovers/ |title=Dydd Santes Dwynwen: An Icy Day for Lovers |author=Mayer, James |date=25 January 2013 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution |access-date=29 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601122048/http://www.festival.si.edu/blog/2013/dydd-santes-dwynwen-an-icy-day-for-lovers/ |archive-date=1 June 2016 |url-status=dead }}
Calennig is a Welsh New Year celebration{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-20828698|title=New Year traditions in Wales: Calennig and Hen Galan |date=1 January 2013 |publisher=BBC |access-date=29 April 2016}}

Arts

=Visual arts=

Many works of Celtic art have been found in Wales.{{Cite web |url=http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/rhagor/article/1938/ |title=Celtic Art in Iron Age Wales, NMOW |access-date=3 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113023922/http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/rhagor/article/1938 |archive-date=13 January 2010 |url-status=dead }} In the Early Medieval period, the Celtic Christianity of Wales participated in the Insular art of the British Isles and a number of illuminated manuscripts possibly of Welsh origin survive, of which the 8th century Hereford Gospels{{cite web |url=http://www.herefordcathedral.org/education-research/life-and-learning/The%20Oldest%20Manuscript%20at%20Hereford%20Cathedral.pdf |title=The Oldest Manuscript at Hereford Cathedral |author=Gamesonm, Richard |publisher=herefordcathedral.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428191353/http://www.herefordcathedral.org/education-research/life-and-learning/The%20Oldest%20Manuscript%20at%20Hereford%20Cathedral.pdf |archive-date=2016-04-28 |url-status=dead |access-date=29 April 2016}} and Lichfield Gospels{{cite web|url=http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/cultural-history-of-ireland/lichfield-gospels.htm|title=Lichfield Gospels|publisher=Encyclopedia of Irish and Celtic Art|access-date=29 April 2016}} are the most notable. The 11th century Ricemarch Psalter (now in Dublin) is certainly Welsh, made in St David's, and shows a late Insular style{{cite web|url=http://www.tcd.ie/Library/manuscripts/blog/2013/03/the-ricemarch-psalter-an-irishwelsh-manuscript/|title=The Ricemarch Psalter: An Irish/Welsh Manuscript|date=1 March 2013|publisher=Trinity College Dublin|access-date=29 April 2016}} with unusual Viking influence.{{sfn|Lawlor|1914|pp=ix-xii}}

The best of the few Welsh artists of the 16th–18th centuries tended to move elsewhere to work, but in the 18th century the dominance of landscape art in English art motivated them to stay at home, and brought an influx of artists from outside to paint Welsh scenery. The Welsh painter Richard Wilson (1714–1782) is arguably the first major British landscapist, but rather more notable for Italian scenes than Welsh ones, although he did paint several on visits from London.{{Cite web |url=http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/2261/ |title=NMOW, Welsh Artists of the 18th Century |access-date=3 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100125090429/http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/2261/ |archive-date=25 January 2010 |url-status=dead }}

File:The Bard (1774).jpeg (1742–1803)]]

It remained difficult for artists relying on the Welsh market to support themselves until well into the 20th century. An Act of Parliament in 1854 provided for the establishment of a number of art schools throughout the United Kingdom,{{cite web |url=http://www.educationengland.org.uk/documents/acts/1854-literary-scientific-insts-act.pdf |title=Literary and Scientific Institutions Act 1854 |publisher=Parliament of Great Britain |date=11 August 1854 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428192735/http://www.educationengland.org.uk/documents/acts/1854-literary-scientific-insts-act.pdf |archive-date=28 April 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=16 September 2016 }} and the Cardiff School of Art opened in 1865.{{cite web |url=http://www.allaboutartschools.com/world/uk/wales/cardiff-school/index.htm |title=Cardiff School of Art & Design |publisher=allaboutartschools.com |access-date=29 April 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Graduates still very often had to leave Wales to work, but Betws-y-Coed became a popular centre for artists, and its artists' colony helped form the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art in 1881.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rcaconwy.org/our_history-5.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523004755/http://www.rcaconwy.org/our_history-5.aspx|title=Royal Cambrian Academy|archive-date=23 May 2011}} The sculptor Sir William Goscombe John made many works for Welsh commissions, although he had settled in London.{{cite web |url=http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/cardiff/art/impressionist-modern/goscombe-john/ |title=Goscombe John and the "New Sculpture" |publisher=National Museum Cardiff |access-date=29 April 2016}} Christopher Williams, whose subjects were mostly resolutely Welsh, was also based in London.{{cite web |url=https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/art/news-events/christopher-williams/ |title=Christopher Williams Retrospective |publisher=Aberystwyth University |access-date=29 April 2016}} Thomas E. Stephens{{cite web |url=http://welshicons.org/cymrupedia/artists/thomas-e-stephens/ |title=Thomas E. Stephens |publisher=Welsh Icon News |access-date=29 April 2016}} and Andrew Vicari{{cite web |url=http://www.bwwsociety.org/gallery/andrewvicari.htm |title=The Gallery: This Month's Featured Artist . . .The Colorful World of Andrew Vicari |publisher=Bibliotheque: World Wide Society |access-date=29 April 2016}} had very successful careers as portraitists, based respectively in the United States and France. Sir Frank Brangwyn was Welsh by origin, but spent little time in Wales.{{cite web |url=http://louisekosman.com/artists/artist_235.php?page=1 |title=Sir Frank Brangwyn |publisher=Louise Kosman |access-date=29 April 2016}}

Perhaps the most famous Welsh painters, Augustus John and his sister Gwen John, mostly lived in London and Paris;{{cite news |title=Mirror Image |author=Holroyd, Michael |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2004/sep/04/art |newspaper=The Guardian |date=3 September 2004 |access-date=29 April 2016}} however the landscapists Sir Kyffin Williams{{cite news |last=Evans |first=Rian |title=Obituary: Sir Kyffin Williams |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2006/sep/04/guardianobituaries.artsobituaries |newspaper=The Guardian |date=4 September 2006 |access-date=16 March 2013}} and Peter Prendergast{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6263187.stm |title=Tributes paid to 'unique' artist |date=15 January 2007 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=22 January 2007}} remained living in Wales for most of their lives, though well in touch with the wider art world. Ceri Richards was very engaged in the Welsh art scene as a teacher in Cardiff, and even after moving to London; he was a figurative painter in international styles including Surrealism.{{cite web |title=Ceri Richards biography |url=http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/ceri-richards-1836 |publisher=Tate |access-date=22 October 2013}} Various artists have moved to Wales, including Eric Gill,{{cite web |url=http://imagingthebible.llgc.org.uk/person/33 |title=Eric Gill|publisher=Imaging the Bible in Wales |access-date=29 April 2016}} the London-born Welshman David Jones,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/arts/sites/david-jones/ |title=David Jones |publisher=BBC Wales |date=10 January 2011|access-date=29 April 2016}} and the sculptor Jonah Jones.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/jan/14/guardianobituaries.booksobituaries |title=Obituary: Jonah Jones |newspaper=The Guardian |date=14 January 2005 |author=Cameron, Euan |access-date=29 April 2016}} The Kardomah Gang was an intellectual circle centred on the poet Dylan Thomas and poet and artist Vernon Watkins in Swansea, which also included the painter Alfred Janes.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/dylan-thomas-and-the-kardomah-set-525736.html |title=Dylan Thomas and the Kardomah set |date=11 February 2006 |newspaper=The Independent|location=London |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907032951/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/dylan-thomas-and-the-kardomah-set-525736.html |archive-date=7 September 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=20 March 2011 }}

=Ceramics=

Amgueddfa Cymru houses Welsh pottery made in Swansea and Llanelli between 1764 and 1922, in addition to porcelain made at Swansea and Nantgarw between 1813 and 1826.{{Cite web |title=Pottery and Porcelain |url=https://museum.wales/cardiff/art/applied/pottery-porcelain/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=Museum Wales |language=en}} Several further sites can be identified through their place names, for example Pwllcrochan (a hamlet near Milford Haven estuary in Pembrokeshire), which translates to Crock Pool, and archaeology has also revealed former kiln sites across the country.{{sfn|Bebb|2008|p=4}} These were often located near clay beds, for ease of resource gathering.{{sfn|Bebb|2008|p=5}} Buckley and Ewenny became leading areas of pottery production in Wales during the 17th and 18th centuries; these are applied as generic terms to different potters within those areas during this period.{{sfn|Bebb|2008|p=6}} South Wales had several notable potteries during that same period, an early exponent being the Cambrian Pottery (1764–1870, also known as "Swansea pottery"). The works from Cambrian attempted to imitate those of Wedgwood. Nantgarw Pottery, near Cardiff, was in operation from 1813 to 1823 making fine porcelain. Llanelly Pottery was the last surviving major pottery works in South Wales when it closed in 1922.{{cite web|title=Welsh Pottery and Porcelain|url=http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/cardiff/art/applied/welsh-pottery-porcelain/|publisher=National Museum Cardiff|access-date=9 April 2016}}

=Literature=

{{main article|Welsh-language literature|Welsh literature in English}}{{see also|Welsh mythology}}

=Theatre=

{{wide image|360° panorama of amphitheater at Caerleon.jpg|2500px|align-cap=center|360° panoramic view of the amphitheatre at Caerleon}}

Theatrical performances are thought to have begun after the Roman invasion of Britain.{{cite web |title=Theatre History |url=http://www.rcahmw.gov.uk/HI/ENG/Learning/History+Secondary/Theatre+History/ |publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales |access-date=9 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601120613/http://www.rcahmw.gov.uk/HI/ENG/Learning/History+Secondary/Theatre+History/ |archive-date=1 June 2016 |url-status=dead }} There are remains of a Roman amphitheatre at Caerleon, which would have served the nearby fortress of Isca Augusta.{{cite web |title=Caerleon Amphitheatre |url=http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/caerleonamphitheatre/?lang=en |publisher=Cadw |access-date=9 April 2016 |archive-date=21 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421212004/http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/caerleonamphitheatre/?lang=en |url-status=dead }} Between Roman and modern times, theatre in Wales was limited to performances of travelling players, sometimes in temporary structures. Welsh theatrical groups also performed in England, as did English groups in Wales. The rise of the Puritans in the 17th century and then Methodism during the 18th century caused declines in Welsh theatre as performances were seen as immoral.

Despite this, performances continued on showgrounds, and with a handful of travelling groups of actors. The Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, the oldest theatre still in operation in Wales,{{cite news |title=Monmouth theatre gets £6k boost |url=http://www.freepressseries.co.uk/news/9461839.Monmouth_theatre_gets___6k_boost/ |work=Free Press |date=10 January 2012 |access-date=9 April 2016}} was built during the 19th century and originally operated as the Assembly Rooms.{{sfn | Kissack| 2003| pp=142-144}} Other theatres opened over the following decades, with Cardiff's Theatre Royal opening in 1827. After a fire, a replacement Theatre Royal opened in 1878.{{cite news|title=Destruction of the Cardiff Theatre |url=http://search.findmypast.co.uk/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000104%2f18781001%2f024 |work=The Era |date=16 December 1877 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |page=5 }}{{cite news |title=The New Theatre Royal, Cardiff |url=http://search.findmypast.co.uk/bna/viewarticle?id=bl%2f0000104%2f18781001%2f024 |work=Western Mail |date=1 October 1878 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |page=4 }} Competition for theatres led to further buildings being constructed, such as the New Theatre, Cardiff, which opened on 10 December 1906.{{cite web|url=http://www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk/english/history.asp |publisher=New Theatre |title=New Theatre history |access-date=9 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930172654/http://www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk/english/history.asp |archive-date=30 September 2011 }}{{cite news |title=Cardiff's New Theatre |url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000051/19061211/202/0012 |work=London Daily News |issue=18950 |date=11 December 1906 |page=12 |url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive |access-date=4 April 2016}}

=Television=

{{see also|Television in Wales|List of Welsh-language television channels}}

Television in the United Kingdom started in 1936 as a public service which was free of advertising, but did not arrive in Wales until the opening of the Wenvoe transmitter in August 1952.{{sfn|Davies|Jenkins|2008| p=88}} Initially all programmes were in the English language, although under the leadership of Welsh director and controller Alun Oldfield-Davies, occasional Welsh language programmes were broadcast during closed periods, replacing the test card.{{sfn|Davies|Jenkins|2008|p=88}} In 1958, responsibility for programming in Wales fell to Television Wales and the West, although Welsh language broadcasting was mainly served by the Manchester-based Granada company, producing about an hour a week.{{sfn|Davies|Jenkins|2008|p=88}} On 1 November 1982, S4C (Sianel Pedwar Cymru) was launched bringing together the BBC, HTV and other independent producers to provide an initial service of 22 hours of Welsh-language television.{{sfn|Davies|Jenkins|2008|p=787}} The digital switchover in Wales of 2009-2010 meant that the previously bilingual Channel 4 split into S4C, broadcasting exclusively in Welsh and Channel 4 broadcasting exclusively in English.{{Cite web |title=Press {{!}} S4C |url=https://www.s4c.cymru/en/press/post/27338/s4c-stars-launch-grass-roots-campaign-to-highlight-digital-switchover/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=s4c.cymru}}

The decision by Julie Gardner, Head of Drama for BBC Wales, to film and produce the 2005 revived version of Doctor Who in Wales is widely seen as a bellwether moment for the industry for the nation.{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/how-wales-built-itself-film-14387598|work=WalesOnline|title=How Wales built itself a film and TV industry|first=Chris|last=Pyke|date=20 March 2018|access-date=13 October 2019}} This in turn was followed by the opening of the Roath Lock production studios in Cardiff. Recent English language programmes that have been filmed in Wales include Sherlock and His Dark Materials, while other popular series, such as Hinterland (Y Gwyll) and Keeping Faith (Un Bore Mercher) have been filmed in both Welsh and English.

=Film=

The Cinema of Wales comprises the art of film and creative movies made in Wales or by Welsh filmmakers either locally or abroad. Welsh cinema began in the late-19th century, led by Welsh-based director William Haggar. Wales continued to produce film of varying quality throughout the 20th century, in both the Welsh and English languages, though indigenous production was curtailed through a lack of infrastructure and finance, which prevented the growth of the industry nationally. Despite this, Wales has been represented in all fields of the film making process, producing actors and directors of note.{{cn|date=December 2023}}

=Music=

file:CardiffArmsParkMaleChoir.JPG

File:Crwth rem.jpg instrument]]

Wales is often referred to as "the land of song",{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Britannica|edition=Online|year=2006|title=Wales: Cultural life: Music, literature and film}} and is notable for its harpists, male choirs, and solo artists. The principal Welsh festival of music and poetry is the annual National Eisteddfod.{{cite web |url=http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofWales/The-National-Eisteddfod-of-Wales/ |title=The National Eisteddfod of Wales |publisher=Historic UK.com |access-date=29 April 2016}} The Llangollen International Eisteddfod echoes the National Eisteddfod but provides an opportunity for the singers and musicians of the world to perform.{{cite web |url=http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/a-bit-of-background/history-of-lime/ |title=History of Llangollen |publisher=International Eisteddfod.co.uk |access-date=29 April 2016 |archive-date=2 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502142901/http://international-eisteddfod.co.uk/a-bit-of-background/history-of-lime/ |url-status=dead }} Traditional music and dance in Wales is supported by many societies. The Welsh Folk Song Society has published a number of collections of songs and tunes.{{cite web |url=http://www.canugwerin.com/en/publications.php |title=Publications |publisher=Welsh Folk Song Society |access-date=29 April 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304235049/http://www.canugwerin.com/en/publications.php |url-status=dead }}

Male choirs (sometimes called male voice choirs), which emerged in the 19th century, have remained a lasting tradition in Wales. Originally these choirs were formed as the tenor and bass sections of chapel choirs, and embraced the popular secular hymns of the day.{{sfn | Davies|Jenkins| 2008| p=532}} Many of the historic Welsh choirs survive, singing a mixture of traditional and popular songs.{{cite web |url=http://pendyrus.org/pendyrus-a-welsh-choir/ |title=Pendyrus Male Choir|publisher=Pendyrus Male Choir|access-date=29 April 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://cardiffmalechoir.wordpress.com/history/ |title=A Short History of the Cardiff Male Choir|date=9 February 2008 |publisher=Cardiff Male Choir|access-date=29 April 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://llantrisantchoir.com/ |title=Llantrisant Male Choir |publisher=Llantrisant Male Choir |access-date=29 April 2016}} Traditional instruments of Wales include telyn deires (triple harp),{{sfn | Davies|Jenkins| 2008| p=179}} fiddle,{{sfn | Davies|Jenkins| 2008| p=281}} crwth,{{sfn | Davies|Jenkins| 2008| p=353}} pibgorn (hornpipe) and other instruments.{{sfn | Davies|Jenkins| 2008| p=677}} The Cerdd Dant Society promotes its specific singing art primarily through an annual one-day festival.{{cite web|url=http://cerdd-dant.org/eng-ail-hanner-20.html|title=Late 20th Century|publisher=Cerdd Dant Society|access-date=29 April 2016}} The BBC National Orchestra of Wales performs in Wales and internationally.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/3YV0XMLfSTrsrtT8PdfYPNV/about-the-orchestra|title=BBC National Orchestra of Wales|publisher=BBC|access-date=29 April 2016}} The Welsh National Opera is based at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay,{{cite web |url=http://www.wno.org.uk/news/70-today |title=70 Today |publisher=Welsh National Opera |access-date=29 April 2016 |archive-date=31 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531175525/http://www.wno.org.uk/news/70-today |url-status=dead }} while the National Youth Orchestra of Wales was the first of its type in the world.{{cite news |title=Music Preview: National Youth Orchestra of Wales |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/music-in-wales/2010/08/03/music-preview-national-youth-orchestra-of-wales-91466-26982123/ |date=3 August 2010 |publisher=Media Wales Ltd |work=WalesOnline website |access-date=26 September 2010}}

File:Janis Joplin Tom Jones 1969.JPG in 1969]]

Wales has had a number of successful singers. In the 1960s, these included bands such as Amen Corner and The Iveys/Badfinger and singers including Sir Tom Jones, Dame Shirley Bassey and Mary Hopkin.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/music/sites/history/pages/history_1960s.shtml |title=Popular Welsh Music in the 1960s |publisher=BBC |date=5 December 2008 |access-date=29 April 2016}} By the 1980s, indie pop and alternative rock bands such as The Alarm, The Pooh Sticks and The Darling Buds were popular in their genres. But the wider view at the time was that the wider Welsh music scene was stagnant, as the more popular musicians from Wales were from earlier eras.{{sfn | Owens| 2000 | pp=3-4}}

In the 1990s, in England, the Britpop scene was emerging, while in Wales, bands such as Y Cyrff and Ffa Coffi Pawb began to sing in English, starting a culture that would lead to the creation of Catatonia and the Super Furry Animals.{{cite web |title=Cool Cymru and beyond – the past, present and future of the Welsh music scene |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/showbiz/cool-cymru-beyond--past-1815633 |publisher=Wales Online |date=13 August 2001 |access-date=23 April 2016}} The influence of the 80s bands and the emergence of a Welsh language and dual language music scene locally in Wales led to a dramatic shift in opinion across the United Kingdom as the "Cool Cymru" bands of the period emerged.{{sfn | Owens| 2000 | pp=3-4}} The leading Welsh band during this period was the Manic Street Preachers, whose 1996 album Everything Must Go has been listed among the greatest albums of all time.{{cite web |last1=Griffin |first1=Matt |title=Manics to celebrate 20 years of 'Everything Must Go' at special Royal Albert Hall shows |url=http://www.royalalberthall.com/about-the-hall/news/2015/december/manic-street-preachers-celebrate-20-years-everything-must-go-special-royal-albert-hall-shows/ |publisher=Royal Albert Hall |date=7 December 2015 |access-date=23 April 2016}}

Some of those bands have had ongoing success, while the general popularity of Welsh music during this period led to a resurgence of singers such as Tom Jones with his album Reload. It was his first non-compilation number one album since 1968's Delilah.{{cite web |title=Tom Jones |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/11640/tom-jones/ |publisher=Official Charts |access-date=23 April 2016}} Meanwhile, Shirley Bassey reached the top 20 once more in the UK Charts with her collaboration with the Propellerheads on the single "History Repeating".{{cite web |title=Propellerheads & Shirley Bassey |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/3908/propellerheads-shirley-bassey/ |publisher=Official Charts |access-date=23 April 2016}} They also introduced new acts, such as Catatonia's Owen Powell working with Duffy during her early period. Moving into the 21st century, Bullet For My Valentine were named the Best British Band at the Kerrang! Awards for three years running.{{cite web |title=Bullet for My Valentine win at Kerrang!|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/showbiz/bullet-valentine-win-kerrang-1910529 |publisher=Wales Online |date=29 July 2010 |access-date=23 April 2016}} Other successful bands from this period include Funeral For A Friend,{{cite journal |author=Pete Withers |date=11 July 2011 |title=Hall Of Fame: Funeral For A Friend |journal=Rock Sound |issue=151 |pages=44–45 |editor=Darren Tayor }} and Lostprophets.{{cite news |last1=Wiederhorn |first1=Jon |title=Lostprophets Find Themselves After Brush With Death, Embrace Pop Influences on Third LP |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1536786/lostprophets-find-themselves-after-brush-with-death-embrace-pop-influences-on-third-lp/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191220141502/http://www.mtv.com/news/1536786/lostprophets-find-themselves-after-brush-with-death-embrace-pop-influences-on-third-lp/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 December 2019 |work=MTV News |date=20 July 2006 |access-date=23 April 2016}}

Media

Television is the most common source of news in Wales, used by 75% of people, with radio used by 43%, 33% using printed newspapers and 31% using websites and apps. In 2020, 46% of people gained their news from social media, which is largely unregulated but includes some news from regulated sources.{{Cite web |title=How can Wales get the media it needs? |url=https://research.senedd.wales/research-articles/how-can-wales-get-the-media-it-needs/ |access-date=2023-01-26 |website=research.senedd.wales |language=en-GB}}

Sport

Over fifty national governing bodies regulate and organise their sports in Wales.{{cite web|title=Members A-Z List|url=http://www.welshsports.org.uk/MembersList.asp|publisher=Welsh Sports Association|access-date=7 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310145140/http://www.welshsports.org.uk/MembersList.asp|archive-date=10 March 2016}} Most of those involved in competitive sports select, organise and manage individuals or teams to represent their country at international events or fixtures against other countries. Wales is represented at major world sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup,{{cite web|title=Wales|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/teams/team=43974/index.html|publisher=FIFA|access-date=7 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309064256/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/teams/team%3D43974/index.html|archive-date=9 March 2016|url-status=dead}} the Rugby World Cup and the Commonwealth Games.{{cite web|title=Rugby World Cup 2015|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/all-about/rugby-world-cup|publisher=Wales Online|access-date=7 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314162453/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/all-about/rugby-world-cup|archive-date=14 March 2016}}{{cite web|title=Our Team|url=http://teamwales.co.uk/glasgow-2014/our-team/|publisher=Team Wales|access-date=7 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128223317/http://teamwales.co.uk/glasgow-2014/our-team/|archive-date=28 January 2016}} At the Olympic Games, Welsh athletes compete alongside those of Scotland, England and Northern Ireland as part of a Great Britain team.{{cite news|title=London 2012: Welsh athletes qualified for the 2012 Olympics|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/15209265|access-date=7 April 2016|publisher=BBC Sport Wales|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407103728/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympics/15209265|archive-date=7 April 2016}}

Rugby union is seen as a symbol of Welsh identity and an expression of national consciousness.{{sfn | Davies|Jenkins| 2008| p=782}} The Welsh national rugby union team takes part in the annual Six Nations Championship and has also competed in every Rugby World Cup,{{cite web|title=A Brief History of the Welsh Rugby Union|url=http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/thewru/history/|publisher=Welsh Rugby Union|access-date=7 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831161859/http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/thewru/history|archive-date=31 August 2015}} with Wales hosting the 1999 tournament.{{cite news|title=World Cup kicks off in style|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/rugby_world_cup/461052.stm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919130852/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/rugby_world_cup/461052.stm|archive-date=19 September 2014|access-date=2 April 2016|publisher=BBC News|date=1 October 1999}} The five professional sides that replaced the traditional club sides in major competitions in 2003 were in turn replaced in 2004 by the four regions: Scarlets; Cardiff Blues; Newport Gwent Dragons; and the Ospreys.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/2913753.stm |title=Questions facing Wales' regional plans |access-date=2 October 2010 |date=3 April 2003 |publisher =BBC Sport|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030811064728/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/2913753.stm |archive-date=11 August 2003 }}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/3754959.stm |title=WRU axe falls on Warriors |access-date=2 October 2010 |date=1 June 2004 |publisher=BBC Sport }} The Welsh regional teams play in the Pro14 league,{{cite news|title=Guinness Pro12|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/pro12/table|access-date=7 April 2016|publisher=BBC Sport}} the Anglo-Welsh Cup (LV Cup),{{cite news|title=The LV= Cup|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/anglo-welsh-cup/table|access-date=7 April 2016|publisher=BBC Sport}} the European Heineken Cup and the European (Amlin) Challenge Cup.{{cite web|title=Regions Results & Fixtures: Heineken Cup|url=http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/matchcentre/results_and_fixtures_heineken_cup.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204001007/http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/matchcentre/results_and_fixtures_heineken_cup.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 February 2012|publisher=Wales Rugby Union|access-date=7 April 2016}}{{cite web|last1=Jones|first1=Gwyn|title=Gwyn Jones' European rugby lowdown: Gutsy Welsh Regions face make-or-break weekend|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/gwyn-jones-european-rugby-lowdown-10736273|publisher=Wales Online|access-date=7 April 2016|date=14 January 2016}}

Wales has had its own association football league since 1992.{{cite web |url = http://www.welshpremier.com/History.ink |title = A Brief History of the League |access-date = 23 November 2010 |publisher = Welsh Premier League |last = Evans |first = Alun |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110720112816/http://www.welshpremier.com/History.ink |archive-date = 20 July 2011 |url-status = usurped }} For historical and other reasons, four Welsh clubs (Cardiff City, Swansea City, Wrexham, and Newport County) play in the English Football League.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/waleshistory/2010/11/the_cardiff_and_swansea_derby.html |title=The Cardiff and Swansea Derby |access-date=23 November 2010|date=5 November 2010 |publisher=BBC Cymru Wales }} Another Welsh club plays in English football's feeder leagues: Merthyr Town. This also qualifies those teams to compete for England's domestic trophies. On 23 April 1927, Cardiff City became the only team outside England to win the FA Cup.{{cite news|title=The Association Cup|url=http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000687/19270425/149/0003|access-date=6 April 2016|work=Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer|issue=24894|date=25 April 1927|page=3|url-access=subscription |via=British Newspaper Archive}} In European football competitions, only teams playing in the Welsh leagues are eligible to play for Wales. The five teams in the English leagues are eligible to represent England only, and they are not allowed to compete for domestic Welsh trophies.{{cite news|title=Uefa give Swansea and Cardiff European assurance|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17459332|access-date=7 April 2016|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 March 2012}}

file:Tanni Grey-Thompson.jpg

In international cricket, Wales and England field a single representative team, administered by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), called the England cricket team, or simply "England".{{cite web |url =http://www.ecb.co.uk/ecb/ |title =What we do at the ECB |access-date =23 November 2010 |publisher =England and Wales Cricket Board |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20140624020944/http://www.ecb.co.uk/ecb/ |archive-date =24 June 2014 |url-status =dead }} Occasionally, a separate Wales national cricket team plays in limited-overs competitions, mainly against English county teams.{{cite web|last1=Shipton|first1=Martin|title=Should Wales have its own international cricket team, ask Assembly Members|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/should-wales-international-cricket-team-6233035|publisher=Wales Online|access-date=7 April 2016|date=23 October 2013}} Glamorgan is the only Welsh participant in the England and Wales County Championship.{{cite web|url=http://www.glamorgancricket.com/detail-item.php?int_id=54&str_page_name=13 |title=History of Welsh county cricket |access-date=23 November 2010 |publisher=Glamorgan County Cricket Club |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328032604/http://www.glamorgancricket.com/detail-item.php?int_id=54&str_page_name=13 |archive-date=28 March 2009 }} Plaid Cymru have argued that Wales should have its own international team and withdraw from the existing arrangement under which Welsh players play for England. The proposal has aroused opposition from Cricket Wales and Glamorgan County Cricket Club, who argue such a move would be financially disastrous. The debate focused on a report produced by the Welsh National Assembly's petitions committee, which reflected the arguments on both sides. Bethan Jenkins, Plaid Cymru's spokesperson on heritage, culture, sport and broadcasting, and a member of the petitions committee, said: "Cricket Wales and Glamorgan CCC say the idea of a Welsh national cricket team is 'an emotive subject'. Of course having a national team is emotive. You only have to look at the stands during any national game to see that. To suggest this as anything other than natural is a bit of a misleading argument."{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/ams-query-possibility-welsh-national-5698082|title=A Welsh national cricket team? AMs will have their say on the possibility this autumn|last=Shipton|first=Martin|website=walesonline|date=12 August 2013 |access-date=2016-03-21}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/fresh-debate-whether-its-time-8837007|title=Welsh national cricket team should be set up says Rhun ap Iorwerth|last=Wyn-Williams|first=Gareth|website=northwales|date=14 March 2015 |access-date=2016-03-21}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.jonathanedwards.org.uk/towards-a-national-future-for-welsh-cricket?lang=en|title=Jonathan EdwardsTowards a National Future for Welsh Cricket|access-date=2016-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045747/http://www.jonathanedwards.org.uk/towards-a-national-future-for-welsh-cricket?lang=en|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/should-wales-international-cricket-team-6233035 |title=Should Wales have its own international cricket team, ask Assembly Members |last=Shipton |first=Martin |website=walesonline |access-date=2016-03-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093255/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/should-wales-international-cricket-team-6233035 |archive-date=4 March 2016 }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/britain/21656717-campaign-national-cricket-team-bat-and-daffodil|title=The bat and the daffodil|newspaper=The Economist|issn=0013-0613|access-date=2016-03-21}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/call-wales-cricket-team-2151211|title=Call for Wales to have its own cricket team|last=Williamson|first=David|website=walesonline|date=7 September 2008 |access-date=2016-03-21}}

In their strategic plan, Cricket Wales state they are "committed to continuing to play a major role within the ECB"{{cite web|title=Clearing the Boundaries|url=http://www.cricketwales.org.uk/uploads/news/Clearing%20the%20Boundaries_FINAL_spreads.pdf|website=Cricket Wales}}

Wales has produced several world-class participants in individual sports, including snooker players Ray Reardon, Terry Griffiths, Mark Williams and Matthew Stevens.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/sport/community/pages/snooker.shtml |title=Snooker |access-date=23 November 2010 |publisher=BBC Wales |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211140322/http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southeast/sport/community/pages/snooker.shtml |archive-date=11 February 2009 }} Successful track athletes include miler Jim Alford who was a world record holder in the 4 x 1500 metres relay, the 110-metre hurdler Colin Jackson who is a former world record holder and the winner of numerous Olympic, World and European medals,{{cite news|title=Born to Run|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/tv/wk31/feature_colinjackson.shtml|access-date=7 April 2016|publisher=BBC Press Office|date=24 September 2014}} and Tanni Grey-Thompson who has won 11 Paralympic gold medals.{{cite news|url =http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/wales/8593755.stm |title=Paralympian Tanni Grey-Thompson becomes people's peer |access-date=23 November 2010|date=29 March 2010 |publisher=BBC News}} Wales has also produced a number of world-class boxers. Joe Calzaghe was WBO World Super-Middleweight Champion and then won the WBA, WBC and Ring Magazine super-middleweight and Ring Magazine Light-Heavyweight titles.{{cite news|last1=Davies|first1=Sean|title=1=. Joe Calzaghe|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/1901388.stm|access-date=7 April 2016|publisher=BBC Sport}} Other former boxing world champions include Enzo Maccarinelli, Freddie Welsh, Howard Winstone, Percy Jones, Jimmy Wilde, Steve Robinson and Robbie Regan.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/7313653.stm |author=Davies, Sean |title=Wales' boxing world champions |access-date=23 November 2010|date= 25 March 2008|publisher=BBC Sport}}

Cuisine

file:White Welsh Mountain sheep.jpg]]

Welsh cuisine is internationally renowned; Welsh lamb, Welsh cakes, and dishes such as bara brith remain exports synonymous with quality and flavour. Some say that some other Welsh dishes are said to be similar to English cuisine in style.{{sfn | Freeman | 1996 | p=14}} However, there are regional variations in the food seen across Wales, which can be traced historically to the availability of certain crops and produce in specific areas of the country.{{sfn | Freeman | 1996 | p=18}} The cuisine of Gower is particularly different to the rest of Wales. It was strongly influenced by Somerset and Devon, and developed dishes such as whitepot while ingredients such as pumpkin were used, which are unusual in the rest of Wales.{{sfn | Freeman | 1996 | p=22}}

Cattle farming produces the majority of Wales' agricultural output. Welsh beef is protected under European Union law, meaning that it must be produced and slaughtered in Wales.{{cite book|last=Davies |first=John |author2=Jenkins, Nigel |author3=Baines, M|title=Cattle|publisher=The Welsh Academy encyclopedia of Wales.|edition=Online|url=http://literati.credoreference.com/content/entry/waencywales/cattle/0}} Welsh pigs are raised, providing good cuts of meat.{{cite magazine|url=http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/welsh-pig-exhibit/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110828180538/http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/welsh-pig-exhibit/|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 August 2011|title=Welsh Pig Cardiff|date=28 August 2011|magazine=National Geographic|access-date=29 April 2016}} The mountainous areas of Wales are suited to sheep farming and this has led to an association of their meat with the country. The mutton of Wales has been popular in the rest of the United Kingdom since the 16th century,{{sfn|Freeman|1996|pp=37-38}} and by the end of the 20th century there were more than 11 million sheep in Wales.{{cite book|last=Davies |first=John |author2=Jenkins, Nigel |author3=Baines, M|title=Sheep|publisher=The Welsh Academy encyclopedia of Wales.|edition=Online|url=http://literati.credoreference.com/content/entry/waencywales/sheep/0}}

File:Cawl Cymreig.jpg

Several Welsh dishes are thought of as Welsh because their ingredients are associated with Wales, whereas others have been developed there. Cawl is regarded as the Welsh national dish;{{sfn|Webb|2012|p=68}} it is a slow-cooked meat and vegetable broth. Traditionally it was a vegetable-heavy dish,{{sfn|Freeman|1996|p=20}} but now it is more likely to contain beef or lamb.{{sfn|Davidson|2014|p=154}} Welsh rarebit is thought to date from the 18th century, although the original term "Welsh rabbit" may have been intended as a slur against the Welsh.{{cite book|last1=Grumley-Grennan|first1=Tony|title=The Fat Man's Food & Drink Compendium|date=2009|publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=9780953892235|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FRT9AgAAQBAJ}}{{cite book|last1=Breverton|first1=Terry|title=Wales: A Historical Companion|date=2012|chapter=Food|publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited|isbn=9781445609904|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I2qoAwAAQBAJ}}{{cite book|last1=Imholtz|first1=August|last2=Tannenbaum|first2=Alison|last3=Carr|first3=A. E. K|title=Alice Eats Wonderland|date=2009|publisher=Applewood Books|isbn=9781429091060|page=17|edition=Illustrated, annotated|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PPhGid-3aigC}} Another use of cheese in a traditional Welsh dish is seen in Glamorgan sausage, which is a skinless sausage made of cheese and either leek or spring onion,{{cite book|last1=Ayto|first1=John|title=The Diner's Dictionary: Word Origins of Food and Drink|date=2012|publisher=OUP Oxford|isbn=9780199640249|page=153|edition=illustrated|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NoicAQAAQBAJ}} which is then rolled into a sausage shape before frying.{{cite book|last1=Minahan|first1=James|title=The Complete Guide to National Symbols and Emblems [2 Volumes]|date=2009|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=9780313344978|page=572|edition=illustrated|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jfrWCQAAQBAJ&q=glamorgan+sausage}}{{cite book|last1=Allen|first1=Gary|title=Sausage: A Global History|date=2015|publisher=Reaktion Books|isbn=9781780235554|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nz0pCgAAQBAJ}} Laverbread is made using a purée of seaweed, and is traditionally served in a Welsh breakfast.{{cite journal|last1=O'Connor|first1=Kaori|title=The Secret History of 'The Weed of Hiraeth': Laverbread, Identity, and Museums in Wales|journal=Journal of Museum Ethnography|date=December 2009|issue=22|page=83|jstor=41417139|publisher=Museum Ethnographers Group}} Welsh cakes are made on a bakestone, and are small round spiced cakes containing raisins, sultanas and occasionally currants.{{cite book|last1=Roufs|first1=Timothy G.|last2=Roufs|first2=Kathleen Smyth|title=Sweet Treats around the World: An Encyclopedia of Food and Culture: An Encyclopedia of Food and Culture|date=2014|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=9781610692212|page=375}} Bara brith contains similar ingredients to Welsh cakes, but is similar to a tea bread.{{cite book|last1=Bain|first1=Andrew|title=Lonely Planet's 1000 Ultimate Experiences|date=2009|publisher=Lonely Planet|isbn=9781741799453|page=291|edition=Illustrated|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IZBcClixzllC|access-date=5 April 2016}}

File:Crempog - Anglesey style.JPG

The Welsh have their own versions of pancakes: crempogau (sing. crempog) (sometimes called ffroes, sing. ffroesen) are traditionally layered on top of each other to form a large cake. Some are very much like American pancakes; others may be made with yeast (called crempogau burum, sing. crempog furum) or oatmeal (although this is also true of American pancakes) and some are like Scotch pancakes.Freeman, Bobby (2006) [https://books.google.com/books?id=-gwkXuzJOPQC&pg=PA195 First catch your peacock: her classic guide to Welsh food], Y Lolfa; New edition, {{ISBN|978-0-86243-315-4}} pp. 195–196Tibbit, Sara Minwell (1991) [https://books.google.com/books?id=xDWTcNpAgcwC&pg=PA13 Baking in Wales], National Museums and Galleries of Wales, {{ISBN|978-0-7200-0346-8}} p. 13

Beer is the national drink of Wales, despite the influence of the link to temperance movement in Wales.{{sfn|Davies|Jenkins|2008|p=57}} The Wrexham Lager Beer Company was the first successful lager producer in Britain when it opened in 1882,{{cite web|url=https://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/heritage/big_town_story/breweries.htm|title=Brewers and Breweries|publisher=City of Wrexham|access-date=29 April 2016}} and the Felinfoel Brewery was the first brewery in Europe to put beer in cans.{{sfn|Davies|Jenkins|2008|p=57}} Whisky production in Wales was historically a niche industry, and completely shut down in 1910 when the last distillery was bought out by a Scottish firm. However, the Penderyn distillery produced the first Wales-created whisky in a century to go on sale when it was launched in 2004.{{cite news |title=Rebirth of Welsh whisky spirit |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7374969.stm |publisher=BBC News |date=8 May 2008}} There are 20 Welsh vineyards producing 100,000 bottles of wine a year in total.{{cite book|last=Davies |first=John |author2=Jenkins, Nigel |author3=Baines, M|title=Vineyards|publisher=The Welsh Academy encyclopedia of Wales.|edition=Online|url=http://literati.credoreference.com/content/entry/waencywales/vineyards/0}}{{sfn | Freeman | 1996 | p=19}}

Notes

References

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{{cite book|last=Carpenter|first=David|author-link=David Carpenter (historian)|title=The Struggle for Mastery: Britain, 1066–1284|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|year=2003|isbn=0-19-522000-5}}
{{cite book |last=Chrimes |first=Stanley |title=Henry VII|series=Yale English Monarchs |year=1972|publisher=Yale University Press |location=New Haven, Connecticut|isbn=0-300-07883-8 }}
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{{cite book |last1=Davies |first1=R R. |first2=Gerald |last2=Morgan |title=Owain Glyn Dŵr: Prince of Wales |date=2009 |publisher=Y Lolfa |location=Ceredigion |isbn=978-1-84771-127-4 |ref={{harvid|Morgan|2009}}}}
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{{Cite book|last=Davies|first=Wendy|author-link=Wendy Davies|year=1982|title=Wales in the Early Middle Ages|publisher=Leicester University Press|location=Leicester|isbn=0-7185-1235-9}}
{{cite book|last1=Freeman|first1=Bobby|title=First catch your peacock : her classic guide to Welsh food|date=1996|publisher=Y Lolfa|location=Talybont, Ceredigion|isbn=0862433150|edition=Rev. paperback |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-gwkXuzJOPQC}}
{{cite book|last1=Griffiths|first1=Ralph Alan|last2=Thomas|first2=Roger S.|title=The Making of the Tudor Dynasty|date=1985|publisher=St. Martin's Press|location=New York|isbn=978-0-31250-745-9|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/makingoftudord00grif}}
{{Cite book|last1=Jones|first1=Barri|last2=Mattingly|first2=David|title=An Atlas of Roman Britain|publisher=Blackwell Publishers|year=1990|location=Cambridge|isbn=978-1-84217-067-0}}
{{cite book|last1=Kissack|first1=Keith |title=Monmouth and its Buildings|date=2003|publisher=Logaston Press|location=Almeley|isbn=1-904396-01-1}}
{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/stream/psalterandmartyr47rhgyuoft#page/n15/mode/2up|title=The Psalter and martyrology of Ricemarsh|last=Lawlor|first=Hugh Jackson|publisher=Harrison and Sons|year=1914}}
{{cite book |last=Laynesmith |first=Joanna |author-link=J. L. Laynesmith |title=The Last Medieval Queens: English Queenship 1445–1503 |year=2005 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=New York |isbn=0-19-927956-X }}
{{cite book|last1=Lloyd|first1=John Edward|title=A History of Wales: from the Earliest Times to the Edwardian Conquest|url=https://archive.org/details/ahistorywalesfr01lloygoog|date=1911|publisher=Green & Co.|location=New York}}
{{cite book|last1=Maund|first1=Kari|title=The Welsh kings: Warriors, Warlords and Princes|date=2006|publisher=Tempus|location=Stroud, Gloucestershire|isbn=0-7524-2973-6}}
{{cite book|last1=Moore|first1=David|title=The Welsh Wars of Independence: c.410-c.1415|date=2005|publisher=Tempus|location=Stroud, Gloucestershire|isbn=0-7524-3321-0}}
{{cite book |last1=Owens|first1=David|title=Cerys, Catatonia and the Rise of Welsh Pop |year=2000 |publisher=Ebury Publishing |location=London|isbn=978-0-0918-7412-4}}
{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qYQEAAAAQAAJ&q=richard+twrch&pg=PA70|title=The Vale of Glamorgan:scenes and tales among the Welsh|year=1839|publisher=Saunders and Otley|last=Redwood|first=Charles}}
{{cite book |last1=Webb |first1=Andrew |title=Food Britannia |date=2012 |publisher=Random House|isbn=978-1-4090-2222-0 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FBMLFM305MEC |access-date=5 April 2016}}

External links

[http://www.visitwales.com/explore/traditions-history Traditions & History of Wales] via VisitWales.com

pt:País de Gales#Cultura

Category:Celtic culture