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Now that the annual Cardiff Dewi Day Parade appears to have sorted itself out, having been criticised by radical nationalists has not being nationalist enough and also by those who considered it too nationalist. The Parade this year whilst not up to radical nationalists wishes can hardly be said to be ''fascist'' as one correspondent to WalesOnLine was stating, the parade this year was at it's mildly patriotic best for the most part a children's parade via support of a number of Cardiff Schools.
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Personally, I feel it best kept this way to ensure on going future success in main because I do not think this parade will ever attract the commercial and corporate support has does the St Patrick's Day parades world wide, not just in Ireland. As for the Nationalists they indeed would be doing better service to Wales if they now give up on the idea that the Cardiff parade is a 'Nationalist' event and, for one day in the themselves became mildly patriotic and put more effort into supporting Dydd Dewi Day Celebrations in their own communities with parades in as many communities as possible.
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.For me the jury is out on the making of Dewi Day a bank holiday for a number of reasons, not least what of the children then regards they celebrating Dydd Dewi if they are not in school? Thus if and when Dydd Dewi does become a Bank Holiday, then the holding of major Dewi Day community celebrations and parades will give the children something to be involved in. Not least perhaps with schools competing regards Welsh History, Myth and Legend Pageant contributions. Plus there needs to be as much cultural input as possible by folk musicians and dancers, indeed where are all the Mentrau Iaith and Urdd Gobaith Cymru in all this, their contributions thus far seem very minimal to say the least. Indeed the question begs to be asked where is WAG and it's Ministry of Heritage plus Vist Wales? All these bodies and other such should be leading way in all this and I suggest WAG's Heritage Department calls a national conference to discuss organisation and promotion of major Dydd Dewi Day Nationlal and community celebrations throughout the land as also a National Identity Day. I appeal to one and all to support this campaign, go for it big time!
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This year I covered both the Cardiff and Swansea Dydd Dewi Day celebrations, Cardiff came out with best regards the parade but over all Swansea came out best in all other areas not least in decorating the town and market. Also I seen more shops in Swansea setting up Dydd Dewi displays, even if it was only daffodils in vases. On the whole more women were sporting daffodils and in both cities only spotted one leek and that was a fake. Somehow, I have the idea that the 'Six Nations' has taken over from Dydd Dewi such now being the 'national days' for the blokes. Ironically, if it were not for the British Army Welsh Regiments you would not see much of the leek on Dydd Dewi. So much more effort to be made in these directions. in due course I shall make more suggestions plus put up more fotos of Dydd Dewi 2010.
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Last but not least, please can we have some thinking and action on some males (men & boys) 'National Costumes', at present Dai Caps and Rugby shirts and so called 'Cilts Cymry' are more than just 'Naff Taff' but perhaps out of place on Dydd Dewi, don't you think?
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.. .Meanwhile follow thru, links below:
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Gruffydd Gethin.
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