Wales

Wales

Wales is famous for its mountains and valleys (долины). It's an ideal place for spending your holidays. Wales has often been called the Land of Songs. One of the Welsh traditions is festivals. The Welsh sing their songs, wear their traditional clothes in their capital Cardiff as well as in the other parts of the country.

Cardiff Cardiff (Welsh: Caerdydd) is the capital, largest city and most populous (людная) country of Wales. Cardiff is home to a lot of castles and historic sites. Cardiff’s history dates back to Roman times, and Cardiff Castle, right at the heart of the city, is worth a visit. Other famouse attractions are: the Millennium Stadium, National Museum and many others.

Millennium Stadium National Museum Cardiff Castle

Y Draig Goch

National Flag The National flag of Wales is a Red Dragon (Y Draig Goch) on a field of white over dark green. It has been officially known since 1959. There are many legends and myths (мифы) about the Welsh flag. It is believed the red dragon represents ancient warriors. Green and white stripes were added (добавлены) by the House of Tudor, the Welsh dynasty (династия) that held (занимала) the English throne from 1485 to 1603.

Eisteddfod ("to be sitting together“) is a Welsh festival of literature, music and performance (представление). It is one of the most ancient (древних) and the most popular festivals. It is a competition where the winner is awarded (награждается) a chair where he is crowned. Winners of local Eisteddfod compete (соревнуются) a Royal National Eisteddfod of Wales. In Ancient times the prizes (призы) awarded were a miniature silver chair to the poet, a silver tongue to the best singer. Eisteddfod

Sports in Wales The national game of Wales is Rugby. It is similar (похож) to football but played with an oval (овальный) ball. Players can carry (нести) the ball and tackle (сбивать/блокировать) each other. Cnapan is a form of Medieval football. It may be a forerunner (предшественник) to modern rugby. The game is no longer played. Other popular sports in Wales are: cricket and football.

The land of my fathers, the land of my choice, The land in which poets and minstrels rejoice; The land whose stern warriors were true to the core, While bleeding for freedom of yore. Wales! Wales! fav'rite land of Wales! While sea her wall, may naught befall To mar the old language of Wales. Old mountainous Cambria, the Eden of bards, Each hill and each valley, excite my regards; To the ears of her patriots how charming still seems, The music that flows in her streams. My country tho' crushed by a hostile array, The language of Cambria lives out to this day; The muse has eluded the traitors' foul knives, The harp of my country survives. Land of my Fathers

Страна моих предков Страна моих предков, страна моих снов, Раздолье поэтам, простор для певцов; Страна, чьи герои добыли в бою И честь, и свободу твою. Уэльс! Уэльс! Древний, славный Уэльс! Чьё море в веках хранит стеной Твою чистоту и покой. Для бардов долины и горы здесь - рай, Мелодий и звуков исполнен наш край; И эха раскаты, плеск волн и ручьи Звучат в каждой песне они. Пускай твою землю топтали враги, Твой чудный и древний язык не погиб; И не удавалось ещё никому Смирить твоей арфы струну.