Happy St Dwynwen's Day

Subject: Happy St Dwynwen's Day
From: Mick Tems
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 05:03 AM

It's January 25, a celebration in Wales which blesses all lovers. Dydd Santes Dwynwen marks St Dwynwen - all over Wales, there are traditional events for St Dwynwen (for instance, a traditional music event at Blackwood Arts Centre, and a twmpath/Welsh barn dance in Clydach, organised by Dawnswyr Tawerin.)

St Dwynwen is the Welsh patron saint of lovers, which makes her the Welsh equivalent of St Valentine.

Dwynwen lived during the 5th century and was one of the prettiest of Brychan Brycheiniog's 24 daughters. Dwynwen fell in love with a prince called Maelon Dafodrill, but unfortunately her father had already arranged that she should marry someone else.

Dwynwen was so upset that she could not marry Maelon that she begged God to make her forget him. After falling asleep, Dwynwen was visited by an angel, who appeared carrying a sweet potion designed to erase all memory of Maelon and turn him into a block of ice.

God then gave three wishes to Dwynwen. Her first wish was that Maelon be thawed; her second that God meet the hopes and dreams of true lovers; and third, that she should never marry. All three were fulfilled, and as a mark of her thanks, Dwynwen devoted herself to God's service for the rest of her life.

She founded a convent on Llanddwyn, off the west coast of Anglesey, where a well named after her became a place of pilgrimage after her death in 465AD. Visitors to the well believed that the sacred fish or eels that lived in the well could foretell whether or not their relationship would be happy and whether love and happiness would be theirs. Remains of Dwynwen's church can still be seen today.

Subject: RE: Happy St Dwynwen's Day
From: GUEST,Cats
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 05:45 AM

What a lovely, but very sad, story. Jon and I will raise a glass tonight.

Subject: RE: Happy St Dwynwen's Day
From: Mick Tems
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 07:23 AM

If you and Jon are raising a glass, how about 10pm? Then we can all raise a glass together.

Subject: RE: Happy St Dwynwen's Day
From: GUEST,Cats
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 08:44 AM

You're on
As long as we can raise one before that too!

Subject: RE: Happy St Dwynwen's Day
From: GUEST,The Mole catcher's Apprentice
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 11:15 AM

There is a lovely story for you then, much better, I think, than old St Valentine. A Happy Day to you all :-)

Subject: RE: Happy St Dwynwen's Day
From: Chris in Portland
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 11:25 AM

Dathlwch ddiwrnod Santes Dwynwen gyda chan gariad! (right??)
Celebrate St. Dwynwen's Day with a love song!

What would be a good Welsh one, Dr. P or others?
Tra Bo Dau?

Chris in Portland

Subject: RE: Happy St Dwynwen's Day
From: Anne Lister
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 11:34 AM

We celebrate St Dwynwen's Day with a good old snog. Repeated several times.
Works for us!

Anne

Subject: RE: Happy St Dwynwen's Day
From: Chris in Portland
Date: 25 Jan 08 - 02:42 PM

Anne - and I always thought the Welsh sang when doing anything!
Dydd Santes Dwynwen Hapus, Chris

ps - working on my 4-song set list for St. David's Day - any thoughts there? Thinking about Miner's Life, Angor (Tudur Hws Jones), Fading Away (Frank Hennessy), and Ar Hyd Y Nos - need 2 in English and 2 in Welsh.
Best to do sing-alongs, so the folks stay awake after the meal.