Cardiff
Though Cardiff has only been Wales’ capital city since 1955, it has been a strategic centre since Roman times, when the first fortress was built on the banks of the River Taff. The Normans also made their mark on the settlement, though arguably the real making of the city was industrialisation, when Cardiff exploited its links with the Welsh coal fields and developed into a mighty port. The Welsh National Assembly has met in Cardiff since 1998, though the new headquarters, planned for the Cardiff Bay area, are significantly behind schedule, and over budget.
2009 marks the 250th anniversary of Scottish poet Robert Burns' birth. Burns was a poet and a lyricist and is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland.
The Burns Supper was started a few years after his death by a group of his friends; they held the supper to honour and remember Burns. The tradition caught on and the ritual of Burns Supper is now held all around the world.
His life and work will be celebrated throughout the year at many Burns-related events.
