Tonight’s the night when Burns suppers are held around the world, in memory of Scotland’s greatest poet Robert Burns, who was born on this day in 1759. Less well known is that it’s also Dydd Santes Dwynwen (Day of St Dwynwen), the Welsh equivalent to Valentines day.
63336, the UK’s most popular text Q&A service, is celebrating both and has compiled a list of its favourite questions and answers to fill you with knowledge, if not love and haggis, throughout the day.
Got a last minute question about Burns Night or St Dwynwen’s? Download the 63336 app by texting APP to 63336 (£1) and we’ll answer your first 3 questions for free.
Day of St Dwynwen
Welsh patron saint of lovers
Who is St Dwynwen?
St Dwynwen is patron saint of lovers & celebrates her feast day in Wales on 25 Jan. She founded a convent off Anglesey, the remains of which still stand.
How do you say ‘I love you’ in welsh?
“Dwi’n dy garu di”, pronounced dween duh gary dee, is I love you in Welsh. “Diolch” is thank you, and “sgen ti sws i mi” is have you got a kiss for me.
What traditionally should you give on St Dwynwen’s Day?
On St Dwynwen’s Day, give your lover a Welsh lovespoon. Carve it yourself, though: even a crude lovespoon made by you means more than a shop-bought one.
Where is St Dwynwen’s church?
St Dwynwen’s church is on Ynys Llanddwyn, off the coast of Anglesey. Llanddwyn means church of St Dwynwen & parts of a 16th-century church still remain.
What romantic things can I do on 25 Jan?
Take a walk in Dwynwen’s footsteps from Newborough to Llanddwyn Island where she established her church or visit a romantic castle & declare your love.
Why is St Dwynwen the patron saint of lovers?
Dwynwen was unable to marry her true love. After praying to forget him, she was granted 3 wishes; one was that the hopes & dreams of true lovers be met.
How do you make a St Dwynwen’s day card?
Fold card & decorate with hearts. Write dwi’n dy garu di (I love you), or dymuniadau gorau ar gyfer dydd Santes Dwynwen (best wishes for St Dwynwen’s Day).
How many people speak welsh in the UK?
690,000 people in the UK speak Welsh. 110,000 of these live in England. 65% of Welsh residents can’t speak Welsh. 15% of the Welsh population is fluent.
How many people celebrate St Dwynwen’s day?
At least 300,000 people will celebrate St Dwynwen’s Day. It’s become more popular since 2003 when the Welsh Language Board & Tesco gave free cards out.
Does visiting St Dwynwen’s church bring good luck?
Traditionally, lovers visited the well at St Dwynwen’s church to find out if they had a future together. It’s nonsense, of course, but romantic nonsense.
What’s a suitable gift on St Dwynwen’s Day?
You can’t go wrong with flowers on St Dwynwen’s Day. For a lasting gift, give a Welsh love spoon engraved with your name entwined with your true love’s.
What’s the history of St Dwynwen?
St Dwynwen loved Maelon. Her dad arranged for her to marry another so Maelon raped her. St Dwynwen asked God to help her forget him & look after lovers.
What have fish got to do with St Dwynwen?
A sacred fish (or eel) lived in St Dwynwen’s well. Its behaviour was used to predict the future for young lovers & to tell if husbands had been faithful.
What could we do on the day?
Aberglasney Gardens will be handing out free hand-crafted, wooden love spoons to all the couples who visit on 24 & 25 January. They are also doing meals.
Is St Dwynwen the patron saint of anything else?
Yes, St Dwynwen is also the patron saint of sick animals. Water from a spring (Ffynnon Dwynwen) at the convent she founded was said to cure sick animals.
Which came first, St Dwynwen or St Valentine?
St Dwynwen was around in the 5th century, whereas St Valentine had died 200 years previously. 14 Feb was already a lovers’ feast day, pre-Valentine.
I’m English, but my boyfriend’s Welsh; what should I do?
Have twice the romance. On St Dwynwen’s day, go out for a candlelit dinner (avoiding the Valentine crowds); then, on 14 Feb, have a cosy night at home.
Burns Night
Scotland's most famous poet
Who was Robert Burns?
Robert Burns (1759-1796) was Scotland’s greatest poet, but he had humble origins; he started out as a farm labourer and was dubbed the Ploughman Poet.
What was Robert Burns life like?
Burns led a hard early life, having been born the son of a peasant farmer. He fathered 12 children with 4 women. He became famous, but made little money.
When is Burns Night held?
Burns Night is held on 25 Jan, the birthday of poet, Robert Burns. Originally the celebration was held on 21 July, the anniversary of his death.
How long have people been celebrating Burns Night for?
Burns Night has been celebrated for over 200 years. The 1st Burns Supper was held in Alloway in 1801, when some of his friends met to remember his life.
Why is Burns Night celebrated?
Burns Night celebrates the life & work of Robert Burns, a Scottish icon. It takes place on his birthday, 25 Jan, & began as a tribute by close friends.
Which other countries celebrate Burns Night?
Scotland is the only country to widely celebrate Burns Night, but ex-pats the world over will try to join in. Haggises have been flown to Pisa specially.
Why do people eat haggis, neeps and tatties on Burns Night?
When Burns’s friends celebrated Burns Night, they ate haggis because of his “Ode to a Haggis”, & neeps & tatties to compliment the haggis’s spiciness.
What is the ‘Selkirk Grace’?
The Selkirk Grace: Some hae meat and canna eat, and some wad eat that want it, but we hae meat, and we can eat, sae let the Lord be thankit.
What is ‘Address to a Haggis’?
Address to a Haggis is recited at Burns suppers when the haggis is served: Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face, Great chieftain o’ the puddin-race!
What is the ‘Loyal Toast’?
The Loyal Toast honours the Head of State, & can be just “The Queen” in the UK. The host of a formal event proposes it (when tables are clear at a meal).
What is ‘Immortal Memory’?
‘Immortal Memory’ is a short, lively speech about Robert Burns, featuring tributes to his life and works. It ends with a toast to his immortal memory.
Does anyone know the words auld lang syne?
Here’s the 1st verse: Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne!
Did Burns write auld lang syne?
Burns claimed to have rewritten an old folk song, and made it his own. Its origins date back to C15th, in 1724 there was a version called Auld Lang Syne.
