Cardiff has a thriving calendar of events planned for 2005. As the Capital of Wales, the city takes huge pride in promoting all things Welsh. Cardiff is home to such national gems as the National Museum of Wales; the Museum of Welsh Life; and the newly built Wales Millennium Centre and is now established as a leading venue for a whole range of festivals, arts, music and sporting activities.

Listed below are some of the highlights of Jan-Feb 2005:

Cardiff Reebok International Cross Country Challenge
23rd January 2005, www.ukathletics.net
Round Six of the Reebok Cross Country Challenge, which includes races in all three Celtic nations, will be taking place in Cardiff’s Bute Park. Incorporating men and women’s races for seniors down to the under 13’s, as well as the 4km Welsh Championships, the event gives up and coming athletes the chance to match themselves against established cross country stars.

Gwen and Augustus John Exhibition
12 Feb – 15 May 2005, www.nmgw.ac.uk
Sister and brother Gwen and Augustus John are probably Wales’ most internationally recognised painters, and this exhibition at the National Museum and Gallery of Wales will combine works from the Tate Britain Gallery with the gallery’s own collection, to create an exhibition of over 130 works. A series of talks and tours will accompany the exhibition, which will be open to the public to view for free.

WNO First Season, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay
18th Feb – 12th Mar, www.wmc.org.uk
Wales national Opera presents its first season of performances at its new home in the Wales Millennium Centre. Performances will include La Traviata, Wozzeck, Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci, and many of the performances are already sold out.

Wales v England, Six Nations Championship
5th Feb 2005, www.millenniumstadium.com
Following encouraging performances against New Zealand and South Africa in the 2004 autumn internationals, the Wales rugby team will be relishing the opportunity to defeat the old enemy on home ground. Expect a sell out crowd and a game to remember.

Cardiff Swimming Initiative
February- April 2005
The spring swimming scheme will include a series of competitive swimming galas for schools, as well as resurrecting the Taff Swim, an event not seen since the 1960’s, in which participants will be invited to wear outfits from the era.