LLYN and Eifionydd’s annual St David’s Day celebrations start in earnest this Monday with events lined up all week in Pwllheli and beyond.

Organised by Cymdeithas Parêd Dewi Sant Pwllheli and partners, the events aim to promote the Welsh language and culture.

The celebrations will kick off on Monday with Wythnos Tapas Llyn: totally unique local Welsh tapas created by local people using local ingredients - and each dish having a Welsh name. They will be served at Ty Newydd Aberdaron, Plas Glyn y Weddw Llanbedrog, Whitehall, and Taro Deg, Pwllheli.

Then on Monday evening, one event certain to attract people’s attention will be the evening arranged by Hunaniaith - for people living locally to those hailing from beyond the United Kingdom – all wishing to learn Welsh. It will be an opportunity for the local community to demonstrate that the Welsh language belongs to everyone in Gwynedd.

The event will be held on Monday, February 22 at 7pm at Taro Deg.

On Tuesday morning, 23 February at Dylan’s in Cricieth, there will be a Business Breakfast aimed at encouraging businesses to use more Welsh in the food, drink and hospitality sectors.

Further events are being held under the auspices of Llanast Llyn. They include a session - ‘Clwb Creu’ - for primary aged school children, in Pwllheli Library on Wednesday, 24 February between 4 – 5 pm.

The Parêd Dewi Sant (parade) takes place on the streets of Pwllheli on Saturday 27 February but is an event for all of Llyn and Eifionydd so come and join in.

The puplic will gather at 12.30pm at the council offices’ car-park on Ffordd y Cob.

The parade will begin at 1.00 pm, marching through the town to finish on the Maes.

There will be plenty to see and enjoy – vintage tractors, Gwilym Bowen Rhys, Gwenan Gibbard, Band Trefor, Pwllheli Woodwind Band, the character Magi Ann, balloons to celebrate the 40th birthday of local Welsh community newspapers - papurau bro - Y Ffynnon and Llanw Llyn, and Ysgol Botwnnog’s 400th birthday!

Also this year, well known Welsh actor and singer, Dewi Pws will be presenting the Gwobrau Sêr Dewi Sant awards for the best costumes on the day.

“I shall look forward to carrying a banner in the parade and also to choosing the best St David’s Day costumes on the day. It will be a fun day out!” said Dewi Pws who recently moved to Pen Llyn to live.

Rhys Llewelyn, Chair of Cymdeithas Parêd Dewi Sant added: “In addition to all these activities, there will also be a shop window dressing competition in Pwllheli on the themes of ‘Llyn and Eifionydd in 2016’.

“Windows should be ready by 27 February.

“The same theme will be used for a competition aimed at all the schools in the area who will compete by creating a Welsh banner for the parade.

“The school creating the most vivid and colourful banner will be awarded an iPad mini.”

The final event will be a special viewing of the classic Welsh film Rhosyn a Rhith at Neuadd Dwyfor on Saint David’s Day itself.

Sponsors: Y Gronfa Dablygu Cynaliadwy AHNE Llyn, Grant Celfyddydau Cymunedol Cyngor Gwynedd, Cyngor Tref Pwllheli, Cyngor Tref Cricieth, Cyngor Tref Nefyn, Cyngor Cymdeithas Tudweiliog, Cyngor Cymuned Llanbedrog; Cyngor Cymuned Llanystumwdwy; Llanw Llyn; Y Ffynnon, Harlech Frozen Foods, Steil Cyf, Taro Deg, Hunaniaith, Siarter Iaith Gwynedd, Huws Gray.