On March 1 we launch the first design of 2020.
This date is St David’s Day, also known as Welsh National Day.
We have long loved the rolling, green Welsh countryside, the beauty of Welsh song, and the intriguing Welsh language.
Our first encounter with Wales came in third grade at our hometown library. One early spring day the checkout librarian, who had an ‘English' accent, was wearing a green onion pinned to her sweater. When asked about the vegetable she explained that it was the first of March, St David’s Day. On that day a proud Welshwoman wore the national symbol, the leek.
Years later we lived in London. Sometimes we stopped in at the Wales Tourist Board on Regent Street to arrange a weekend rental for ourselves and a group of friends. While we spent happy hours hiking the green slopes of the Brecon Beacons and exploring the fantastic ruins of a few of Wales’ many castles, perhaps best of all was waiting at the bookings desk on Regent Street, secretly hoping the phone would ring. If it did, chances were the nice lady answering would launch into an animated conversation in Welsh— a language that delights the ear.
The Welsh people are known for their love of song. With such a lovely lilt to its language, it is no surprise that Welsh culture expresses itself so eloquently in music. Choruses of extraordinary power may be found in the tiniest towns. Welsh folk music has given the world heartbreakingly beautiful melodies.
In more recent decades the daffodil, which in Wales blooms around the time of St David’s Day, is worn on March 1. Some sources say that the Welsh word for leek, Cenhinen, is easily confused with the Welsh for daffodil, Cehinen Pedr. Others say the fragrance of the leek may be improved upon by the daffodil. Either way, these national symbols reflect very well the freshness of the Welsh countryside in spring. The first design of 2020 celebrates this extraordinary place.
