Special Sub-Topic: Welsh Culture Click Here To Play: Welsh Culture

In the National Eisteddfod, the highest prize is awarded for a poem in strict metre. What is this prize?

A Chair. Eisteddfod Chairs are individually carved and are highly prized.

Written poetry in the Welsh language has been around for how long?

Since the 5th century AD. The oldest known examples were written by Aneurin and Taliesin and related the stories of ancient battles.

What is particular about the traditional Welsh harp?

It has three parallel sets of strings. The Triple Harp is unique to Wales and has undergone a popular revival in recent years after being displaced by the more familiar concert harp.

Many Welsh placenames begin with the prefix 'Llan', as in Llanelli, Llanbynmair and Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantisiliogogogoch. What does 'Llan' mean?

Church. It is usually followed by a saint's name.

Who was the mediaeval Welsh poet who is often thought of as the Welsh Shakespeare, but whose most famous poems are beautiful, strict metre bawdy romps?

Dafydd ap Gwilym. Dafydd ap Gwilym led an interesting and often dangerous lovelife.

Much of the modern confidence in the Welsh language has been attributed to the establishment of S4C. What is it?

A television station. Sianel 4 Cymru began broadcasting in 1984 and has injected a whole new vitality into Welsh broadcasting that is envied in all countries where there are minority languages.

A major youth movement was established in the 1920's to develop leisure activities, cultural events and educational experiences for young people in the Welsh language. It is now one of the largest membership organisations of its kind in Europe. What is it called?

Urdd Gobaith Cymru. Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg is the Welsh Language Society, which has done much to gain legal recognition for the language by non-violent direct action. Plaid Cymru (the Party of Wales) is now the second biggest political party in Wales. Bwrdd yr Iaith is the Government Agency established by the 1992 Welsh Language Act to promote and develop the language.

Approximately what percentage of the people of Wales speak Welsh?

19. After years of decline there has been a recent upsurge amongst the young thanks to more enlightened education policies.

Which monarch passed the Act of Union that stated that the Welsh language should be 'utterly extirped'?

Henry VIII. That was in 1536, but we're still here!

John Davies, Gwyn Alf Williams, Glanmor Williams and David Williams have all written significant books on what?

Welsh history. All are highly recommended if you are struggling with any of these questions.